NEWS RELEASE

13.01.2017 PPA002

UK ENCOURAGES INDIAN VISITORS TO APPLY EARLY FOR VISAS WITH

#BEATTHEPEAK CAMPAIGN

The UK has launched a new campaign to encourage Indian visitors to apply early for their visas in the
quieter, off peak period, during January and February. Visa applicants can expect to get a visa decision
more quickly outside of the peak period, and benefit from quieter Visa Application Centres and more
available appointment slots.

Visitors can now request for their visas to be post-dated by up to three months, so the visa starts on their
intended travel date. Those planning to travel in April can apply for their visas now and the six month
validity can start on their intended departure date.

The initiative was announced at the Destination Britain India, currently being held in Pune and hosted by
the UK’s national tourism agency VisitBritain. The three-day tourism trade fair brings together more than
75 travel agents from across India and more than 20 UK travel suppliers for three days of networking and
business appointments.

British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, said:

“We are delighted that more and more Indians are choosing to come to the UK either on holiday or
for business. The latest visa statistics show that visitor visas issued have increased by 6% in the
year ending September 2016 and last year we issued more Indian visit visas than ever before.

“There has never been a better time to visit the UK - 2017 is the Year of Culture, which will see an
exciting festival of events celebrating the vibrant cultural history of UK and India held in both
countries. By making it easier for visitors to apply for their visas early, we hope that even more
Indians will choose to come to visit the UK to see our world class heritage sites, enjoy our
beautiful countryside and experience the vibrancy of our cities.”

VisitBritain Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Sumathi Ramanathan said:

“We want the UK to be a ‘must-go-now’ destination for visitors from India. Making it easy to travel
here is an important part of our tourism offer. With our hotels, attractions and shops, all offering
great value for Indian visitors right now, it is a great time to come to Britain.”

The UK continues to make improvements to the visa service. Last year a new online visit visa application
form was introduced in India. The new form is quicker and more intuitive and it has been translated into
four Indian languages to make it easier for Indian customers to apply. The eligibility for visitors using the
same-day Super Priority Visa and 3 to 5 day Priority Visa has been expanded so that now all first time
visitors can use the service, regardless of whether they have travelled before.

India will become the first visa country to benefit from the Registered Traveller Service, as announced by
the British Prime Minister Theresa May. The premium service allows approved members, who have
undergone advanced security checks, expedited entry at the UK border.

Further Information:

 Visitors wishing to post date their visas must request this in the additional information box on the
online visa application form.

 For more information on applying in advance and details on Visa Application Centres in India and
premium services go to www.vfsglobal.co.uk/india
Stuart Adam, Head,
Press and Communications, British High Commission,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Tel: 24192100; Fax: 24192400
Mail to: natasha.woollcombe@fco.gov.uk;
Website: www.gov.uk/world/india |Hindi: www.gov.uk/world/india.hi
Follow us on: http://twitter.com/ukinindia

Shaily Vaswani, Head,

Corporate Communications, VFS Global
Mail to: shailyv@vfsglobal.com
Website: www.vfsglobal.com