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UK visas just got more expensive for Kiwis

New security restrictions recently implemented by the United Kingdom will require residents of New Zealand to stop in Wellington to get their visas.

 

The restrictions apply to any New Zealander wanting to visit the UK for more than six months. In order to get a visa for that period of time, travellers applying after December 11th, must be fingerprinted and photographed according to certain specifications.

 

Travellers who refuse or who cannot provide finger scans and photographs suitable to the requirements of the High Commission will have their applications rejected.

 

The biometric visa requires that travellers make an appointment at the British High Commission in Wellington. Approximately 12,000 Kiwis travel to the UK every year and unfortunately not all of them live near Wellington.

 

According to Kate Flynn, a travel agent working for Timaru, the new visa regulations have made the process of applying for a visa to the UK more costly. Those who apply must already have $6000 in savings as well as the expensive air fare and the visa application fee.

 

One piece of good news is that although the price of the visa seems unlikely to drop in the near future, the British High Commission does have plans to open offices in Christchurch and Auckland sometime next year.

 

The biometric visa is already a requirement for travellers to the UK from 100 countries and has become normal practice in many countries. New Zealanders applying for visas to the United States and France undergo similar procedures and also must apply at the country's embassy before taking off.

 

The biometric data is used by immigration officials in the UK to verify the identity of travellers and prevent fraud.

 


Follow these links to find out more or to get a quote on Travel insurance, UK airport parking, UK airport hotels or UK airport lounges.



Jennifer Jones Editorial


05/12/2007



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