The British High Commission is urging Jamaicans wishing to visit the United Kingdom during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games to apply early for the required entry visas.

High Commissioner Howard Drake briefed journalists and members of the Jamaica Association of Travel Agents on the essential visa information at a reception hosted at Trafalgar House, home of the High Commission, in New Kingston last Monday evening.

According to Drake, one of the Jamaican characteristics is “not to be in a hurry to do anything”, so mindful of that trait, he used the occasion to discourage Jamaicans from taking that kind of approach.

In fact, he made it clear that Jamaicans wishing to travel to Britain for the Olympic experience, family reasons or on a general visit could apply from as early as now and have their visas processed and post-dated to the desired time of travel.

Drake urged a prompt response as he expects many applications, especially with 2012 being the 50th anniversary of the nation’s Independence, and the fact that the “English Government wants it to be a wonderful experience for all visitors to the country”.

Deputy High Commissioner Graham Glover revealed that people attending the games in an official capacity, such as accredited athletes, coaches, officials and media, are known as Games Family Members, who will be selectively accredited by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and will be issued with an Olympic accreditation card.

This Olympic accreditation card will allow the holder to access Olympic and Paralympic venues, and in most cases, act as a ‘visa waiver’, meaning that holders will not need a visa to travel to the UK between March 30 and November 8 this year.

However, it was revealed in a visa information booklet that those accredited in the category codes OCOG, S and X will not be able to use their card as a visa waiver and will need to apply for a visa.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in the UK have set quotas for each Games Family Member category, such as media and athlete. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and other responsible organisations should then nominate individuals in the appropriate categories and submit their details to the LOCOG.

Security checks are then conducted in the UK, where the LOCOG ultimately decides, on behalf of the IOC and IPC, whether these individuals should be accredited for the Olympics or Paralympics.

If the LOCOG does accredit these individuals, then it will send an Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card or a Paralympic Identity and Accreditation Card to the responsible organisation which nominated the individuals.

Games Family Members, who would normally require a visa to visit the UK, will need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) before entering the UK. The UK Border Agency is offering an exclusive free biometric collection service to potential Games Family Members who do not hold a visa to enter the UK, but would normally require one.

These individuals are asked to make contact via the website https://www.visainfoservices.com if they wish to book an appointment to submit their biometrics for enrolment. They will be required to provide a valid travel document at the time of providing their biometrics.

Games Family Members will also have access to dedicated lanes at Heathrow, which is the designated airport for the Games, and can enrol biometrics on arrival in the UK. However, submitting biometrics before arrival

will help speed up the

arrivals process for those already enrolled.

People wishing to attend the Olympic Games as tourists will still need to comply with the UK Immigration Rules. During the Olympic period, the normal UK visa process and application categories still apply and the process for applying for a visa to visit the UK as a tourist during the Olympics is no different from applying to visit the UK at any other time.

People with close family in the UK, who will be sponsoring their visit, will need to apply for a Family Visit visa. It is advised they these persons check that their relative in the UK is considered a ‘family’ member under the Immigration Rules before applying in this category.

For those who do not have close family members in the UK acting as a sponsor, they will need to apply for a General Visit visa.

The British High Commission is advising applicants that when completing an application form they state that the purpose of their visit is to travel to the UK as a tourist for the Olympics.

This is particularly important for people applying for either a six-month Family Visit visa or a six-month General Visit visa, as this will enable the British High Commission to post-date their visa to ensure that it is valid for the duration of the Games.

It is also advised that applicants refrain from booking flights to the UK until their applications have been processed.

The British High Commission also said that it hopes to consider General Visit and Family Visit visa applications within 15 working days in the majority of cases, and that the responsibility is on applicants to provide evidence to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules and that their circumstances, and those of the sponsor, are as stated on their application forms.

Applications and payments can only be made online and all application forms and guidance are available on the website https://www.visainfoservices.com.