UK Visas & Immigration on 14 November published guidance for a new ‘Diplomatic Visa Arrangement’ (DVA) allowing holders of diplomatic passports from China, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Vietnam to obtain a two-year, multi-entry visitor visa free of charge. The DVA can be used for official missions and private travel, provided each stay is under six months.
The scheme simplifies travel for envoys who are not exempt from immigration control yet regularly transit London for multilateral meetings. Previously, many diplomats used standard visitor visas with fees and processing times that sometimes clashed with short-notice talks.
![UK launches new fast-track Diplomatic Visa Arrangement for five key partner states]()
Although a niche route, the arrangement signals the UK’s push to deepen economic and security ties with strategically important emerging markets. Businesses may benefit indirectly: trade delegations often include commercial attachés who pave the way for bilateral investment.
Protocol teams in multinational corporations should note that the DVA cannot be extended or converted into work permission; commercial representatives accompanying a diplomat must still obtain the appropriate business visa if they intend to carry out paid activity. Applications are submitted online but require an in-person submission of the original diplomatic passport and a formal Note Verbale at a Visa Application Centre.
The scheme simplifies travel for envoys who are not exempt from immigration control yet regularly transit London for multilateral meetings. Previously, many diplomats used standard visitor visas with fees and processing times that sometimes clashed with short-notice talks.
Although a niche route, the arrangement signals the UK’s push to deepen economic and security ties with strategically important emerging markets. Businesses may benefit indirectly: trade delegations often include commercial attachés who pave the way for bilateral investment.
Protocol teams in multinational corporations should note that the DVA cannot be extended or converted into work permission; commercial representatives accompanying a diplomat must still obtain the appropriate business visa if they intend to carry out paid activity. Applications are submitted online but require an in-person submission of the original diplomatic passport and a formal Note Verbale at a Visa Application Centre.
