VisitBritain-UKBA joint statement

In reference to the report published in TravelBiz Monitor, issue dated September 16 - 30, 2009, ‘VisitBritain working on offering ‘short term visa’ for Indian tourists’, VisitBritain would like to clarify that it is not responsible for the UK’s visa policy or the issuing of UK visas.

The UK Border Agency conducted a pilot in India of a group visitor visa earlier this year. The pilot has ended and the results are being evaluated by UK Border Agency. The UK Border Agency has not taken any decision on the future of this type of visa as on date. There is no suggestion that VisitBritain will be involved in issuing visas of any description for UK. VisitBritain is the national tourism agency for UK and it’s essential role is to promote and build the value of inbound tourism to UK.