Emirati nationals will be able to visit the UK for up to six months without a visa starting from January next year, with an electronic visa waiver (EVW) document, said a report.

They can apply for an EVW online and free of charge, at least 48 hours before departure and present a printed copy on departure and on arrival in the UK, said the Gulf News report.

Visitors to the UK have doubled in the last 10 years, with the country being the second most visited destination by residents of the UAE, it said.

“This is the first time the United Kingdom has ever introduced this type of scheme,” UK’s Ambassador to the UAE Dominic Jermey was quoted as saying.

“This is a very exciting innovation for us, strengthening even further the appeal of the UK to Emirati tourists, investors and business partners.”

The document is valid only for a single entry to the UK on the specified date and time, said the report. - TradeArabia News Service