也許老天聽到我的長期吶喊,其實當天新聞就說持台灣護照來英國緬簽證喔!大哥大姐們,小弟小妹們,趕快來英國喔!
業者:赴英觀光免簽證 有助吸引台灣旅客 【2/10 20:35】
〔中央社〕英國政府宣布,自3月3日起台灣民眾赴英國觀光旅遊或洽商,停留時間不超過6個月,可享有免簽證;旅遊業者指出,這項免簽證優惠創造重要利基,將有助吸引台灣旅客赴英訪問。
由台商經營的「我們家旅行社」負責人藍國瑜接受中央社記者訪問,直呼免簽證措施是「令人歡呼的好消息」,她相信,免簽證優惠再加上近來英鎊走跌,將能吸引不少台灣旅客到英國旅遊。
另一位旅遊業者告訴中央社記者,去年英國政府修改團體簽證規定,要求申請人參加面試,造成不便,而且申辦英國簽證所費不貲,加上當時英鎊兌新台幣匯價走強,旅客訪英的意願因而降低。
藍國瑜表示,英國是歷史悠久的國家,觀光資源豐沛,不少台灣民眾都嚮往到英國旅遊,但近5年來幾乎沒有台灣旅遊團到英國,英國簽證費昂貴就是令他們卻步的原因之一。業者指出,相對於使用申根簽證旅客可以訪問一個以上的國家,英國要求旅客另外申請簽證,造成一些已經在歐陸旅遊的觀光客,不願意再跨海到英國旅遊,現在開放免簽證措施,便利性大幅提高,相信可以吸引更多台灣旅客到英國訪問。
以目前英國觀光簽證每件平均新台幣3000多元計算,一家四口如果要到英國旅遊,一口氣就可以省下至少1萬台幣,而且隨時可以出發,行程安排便利許多。
藍國瑜指出,免簽證措施不僅有助帶動台灣旅行社組團到英國旅遊,在歐陸國家求學的台灣學生也可到英國觀光,同時原本台灣旅行社僅規劃出團訪問申根國家的旅遊團,也會將英國納入行程,估算實施後一個季度可以增加數百人次的台灣旅客。她說,目前台灣經濟低迷,民眾減少不必要的旅遊,但大學畢業生求職不易,可能利用六個月免簽證優惠,到英國短期進修,加強英文能力。
其它旅遊業者則表示,商務人士赴英洽商人數將因免簽證帶來的便利而增加。
官方網站說
Visa-free access for Taiwanese visitors to the UK from 3 March 2009 (09/02/2009)
The British Trade & Cultural Office (BTCO) today announced that from 3 March 2009 Taiwan passport-holders who wish to visit the United Kingdom for less than six months on business or as a tourist, family visitor or student visitor will no longer require a visa.
Those wishing to stay in the UK more than six months, or to live, work, marry or study there on courses over six months, will continue to require a visa as before.
The decision announced today is based on the world-wide review of visa regimes carried out by the UK Borders Agency in 2007-08.
“Britain enjoys strong commercial and cultural ties with Taiwan”, David Campbell, the BTCO’s new Director said. “Lifting the visa requirement for stays of less than six months will help to build on that to the benefit of both British and Taiwanese people.”
Taiwanese visiting the UK after 3 March 2009 must still satisfy UK authorities at the port of entry that they meet the admission requirements on arrival in the UK. As with all those who can visit the UK without a visa, they must carry with them in their hand luggage relevant supporting documents such as flight tickets, evidence of funding, letters from sponsors or businesses they are visiting, or the school they plan to study at.
The BTCO received over 28,000 visa applications in 2008. After 3 March 2009, that figure is expected to fall to 6-8,000 a year.
PS: 那我應該繼續吶喊下去,以後去申根國家也不用簽證吧
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