LIMA, Oct 19 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peruvian nationals will be exempt from visa requirements to visit the United Kingdom starting Nov 9 this year, the British Embassy in Lima announced Tuesday.
According to the diplomatic mission, this update strengthens bilateral relations and promotes visits by Peruvians to the United Kingdom.
At a press conference, British Ambassador to Peru Gavin Cook explained that a visa will not be required for stays of less than six months.
“This opens new cultural, commercial, and academic doors, bringing you closer to the British Museum, Anfield, Edinburgh Castle, and much more,” he remarked.
For its part, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement, noting that this new stage in the migratory exchange —which begins exactly in three weeks— will increase trade and investment between the two countries.
“Good news! The United Kingdom has announced that as of November 9, 2022, Peruvian nationals will be exempt from the visa requirements for short-term trips to said country, thus contributing to further expanding trade and investment opportunities,” it stated.
“This measure adopted by the British government, which materializes a long-sought aspiration of Peru, for which intense efforts have been made in recent years, will promote and increase trips by Peruvian citizens to said country for visits of up to six months, thus promoting a remarkable increase in tourism,” the government agency stated.
Likewise, the ministry highlighted that the visa exemption will contribute to further expanding trade and investment opportunities between Peru and the United Kingdom.
It should be noted that the UK is the largest foreign investor in Peru, as well as the leading investor in mining. In addition, the bilateral trade has been growing over the past years.
The government department said that this decision will also encourage a greater number of short-term trips by Peruvian students and researchers to the United Kingdom —an academic hub par excellence.
In this regard, the ministry states that British universities receive more than 500 Peruvian students each year. Also, more and more students from both countries benefit from the Treaty on the Mutual Recognition of Academic Degrees and Professional Qualifications, which entered into force on Oct 18, 2021.
“Peru welcomes and appreciates the decision of the British government to abolish the visa requirement for Peruvian citizens on their trips to the United Kingdom, which constitutes a sign of confidence in Peru and a recognition of the excellent level of the relationship between our countries, as strategic, preferential, and reliable partners,” reads the statement.
“Without a doubt, this will result, among others, in greater and mutually beneficial economic, academic, cultural, scientific, and tourist ties,” it concludes. — NNN-ANDINA
