Changes to visa system will show Britain is open to investment

14th October 2013

Commenting on the Chancellor's announcement to simply and streamline visa applications, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:  -British companies doing business with China, as well as those who count on Chinese tourism in the UK, will breathe a collective sigh of relief at these measures to streamline the visa process.

For too long, Britain has courted Chinese investment and tourism without facilitating the entry of Chinese visitors with the same vigour.   -If these changes help attract more Chinese business and leisure visitors, they should be expanded to include other key markets where British companies are working hard to develop two-way trade. A responsive visa system is crucial to demonstrating that the UK is open to trade and investment.