起前往英國不逾六個月之非工作性質免簽證待遇。台灣是英國此次內政檢討中唯一
新增適用免簽證訪英的國家，國人未來赴英將因此節省數千至上萬元台幣的簽證申請費。
可省數千至萬元簽證費
該聲明為英國政府自二○○七年三月以來，針對歐洲經濟體以外國家與地區的國民訪英
簽證所進行之「首次簽證制度全球檢討」的最終決定，結果顯示，台灣對英國之移民
管制係低風險國家，訪英國停留不逾六個月且非赴英工作之台灣護照持有者，
自今年三月三日起即可免除申請訪英簽證。
據統計，英方發給我國人的觀光簽證數量在二○○六年為一萬五千三百二十一件，
二○○七年為一萬二千九百一十件；近年來我國人赴英觀光人數每年約四萬人。
目前英國國民訪台可享有停留卅天的免簽證待遇。
目前全球共有超過一百個國家、約四分之三的人口，仍需申請觀光簽證方得訪英。
至於目前給予台灣免簽證的國家則包括日本、南韓、新加坡等數十國。其中，
日本是在二○○五年八月期間先後由眾院、參院通過永久免除台灣觀光客簽證
的出入國暨難民法特例法案，並在同年九月廿六日生效實施。
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.
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