UK visa issuances to Pinoy tourists, traders up by 27%

CEBU, Philippines - More than 49,000 United Kingdom visas were issued to Filipinos in the span of 12 months to March of this year, the British Embassy Manila reported, noting the 27 percent growth was mainly driven by tourist and business visits.

Less than 1,000 of these visa applications were from Cebu.

In an interview, Lynn Ayers Plata, the embassy's communications manager, noted the 90 percent approval rate of visa applications can be attributed to some enhancements in the visa processing procedures.

One of these is the improved application center in Manila and a new one in Cebu for the applicants in the Visayas and nearby regions.

In a statement, British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said a good development to note is that more Filipinos are now travelling to the UK not solely to tour but also to do business.

"It is great to see our people-to-people links growing," he noted, saying the embassy wants to welcome more Filipino visitors in the coming 12 year.

Ahmad dispelled misconceptions that it is difficult for Filipino travelers to get a UK visa.

He however encouraged potential applicants to apply early and have all the important documents.

He said: "Over 90 percent of Filipinos who apply for a tourist or business visit were successful." —  (FREEMAN)