introduction of a transit visa requirement - British Airways
introduction of a transit visa requirement - British Airways
introduction of a transit visa requirement - British Airways
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URGENT<br />
17 October 2003<br />
ALL AIRLINES<br />
(IMPORTANT NOTICE)<br />
<strong>British</strong> Deputy High Commission<br />
Mumbai & India South<br />
Airline Liaison Office<br />
Maker Chambers IV<br />
222 Jamnalal Bajaj Road<br />
(P.O. Box 11714)<br />
Nariman Point<br />
Mumbai 400 021<br />
tel: (+ 91 22) 2202 2440 (direct)<br />
tel: 2283 2330 (switchboard) extn 2273<br />
fax: 2202 2448<br />
INTRODUCTION OF A TRANSIT VISA REQUIREMENT FOR NATIONALS OF THE<br />
FOLLOWING 6 ADDITIONAL COUNTRIES<br />
• Angola<br />
• Bangladesh<br />
• Cameroon<br />
• India<br />
• Lebanon<br />
• Pakistan<br />
WHO ARE IN TRANSIT THROUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM: POSITION UNDER SECTIONS<br />
40 AND 41 OF THE IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM ACT 1999<br />
With effect from 00:01 hours <strong>British</strong> Summer Time (GMT + 1) on 16 October 2003 nationals <strong>of</strong><br />
the above countries will no longer benefit from the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) arrangements<br />
when in <strong>transit</strong> through the United Kingdom.<br />
Unless they are otherwise exempt from UK Visa <strong>requirement</strong>s, those nationals <strong>of</strong> these<br />
countries who need or wish to enter the United Kingdom whilst in <strong>transit</strong> will be required to be in<br />
possession <strong>of</strong> a valid UK entry <strong>visa</strong>.<br />
Nationals <strong>of</strong> these countries who are in <strong>transit</strong> airside through a UK airport without entering the<br />
UK will be required to be in possession <strong>of</strong> a valid Direct Airside Transit Visa unless they are<br />
otherwise exempt.<br />
Section 3 <strong>of</strong> the 2001 edition <strong>of</strong> the UK Immigration Service publication “Passports and Visas: A<br />
Guide for Carriers” has full details <strong>of</strong> <strong>visa</strong> exemptions.<br />
NEWLY INTRODUCED EXEMPTIONS FROM THE TRANSIT VISA REQUIREMENT<br />
Exemptions have been introduced for holders <strong>of</strong> diplomatic or service passports issued by the<br />
People’s Republic <strong>of</strong> China and diplomatic or <strong>of</strong>ficial passports issued by the Government <strong>of</strong><br />
India. Holders <strong>of</strong> these passports do not require a <strong>visa</strong> if they seek to <strong>transit</strong> the United<br />
Kingdom and may therefore also benefit from the TWOV concession.<br />
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The following additional <strong>visa</strong> exemptions will now apply to nationals <strong>of</strong> all the countries for<br />
whom a <strong>visa</strong> is required to pass through the UK in <strong>transit</strong> if they are in possession <strong>of</strong>:<br />
(a)<br />
(b)<br />
a valid <strong>visa</strong> for entry to Canada or the United States <strong>of</strong> America and a valid airline<br />
ticket for travel via the United Kingdom from another country or territory to the country in<br />
respect <strong>of</strong> which the <strong>visa</strong> is held;<br />
a valid <strong>visa</strong> for entry to Canada or the United States <strong>of</strong> America and a valid airline<br />
ticket for travel via the United Kingdom from the country in respect <strong>of</strong> which the <strong>visa</strong> was<br />
held to another country or territory;<br />
(c) a valid USA I-551 Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 21 April 1998;<br />
(d) a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 28 June 2002;<br />
(e)<br />
(f)<br />
a valid Category D <strong>visa</strong> for entry to an EEA State.<br />
a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA State pursuant to<br />
Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002;<br />
NB: In paragraph (b), “valid <strong>visa</strong>” shall include an expired <strong>visa</strong> provided that the <strong>visa</strong> in question<br />
did not expire more than two clear calendar days before the date <strong>of</strong> the arrival in the United<br />
Kingdom <strong>of</strong> the <strong>transit</strong> passenger who holds that <strong>visa</strong>.<br />
NOTE. The additional <strong>visa</strong> exemptions (a) to (f) only apply where a passenger is either in direct<br />
airside <strong>transit</strong> or meets all the <strong>requirement</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the TWOV concession. Section 3.6 <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Passport and Visa Guide has full details.<br />
Carriers bringing any such persons to the United Kingdom without proper documents, including<br />
a valid <strong>visa</strong> where required, will render themselves liable to a charge <strong>of</strong> £2000 for each<br />
inadequately documented passenger carried under the provisions <strong>of</strong> Section 40 <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.<br />
In order to minimise inconvenience to genuine travellers the following will apply:<br />
1. Nationals <strong>of</strong> Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Lebanon and Pakistan who bought their<br />
tickets on or before 15 October 2003 may <strong>transit</strong> the UK without a <strong>visa</strong> provided that:<br />
a. they arrive in the UK before 23:59 hours BST on 20 October 2003; and<br />
b. they arrive in the UK by air with confirmed onward bookings by air within 24 hours <strong>of</strong> their<br />
scheduled arrival; and<br />
c. they have the necessary documentation, such as a genuine valid <strong>visa</strong>, for their destination.<br />
2. Until 23:59 hours GMT on 12 November 2003, nationals <strong>of</strong> these 6 countries who have<br />
already started their journey and will be returning to their point <strong>of</strong> origin may <strong>transit</strong> the UK<br />
without a <strong>visa</strong> provided that;<br />
a. they are on a return journey to their point <strong>of</strong> origin; and<br />
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b. they originally passed through the UK in <strong>transit</strong> (with or without a <strong>visa</strong>) on the outward leg <strong>of</strong><br />
their journey; and
c. they started their outward journey from their point <strong>of</strong> origin on or before 15 October 2003;<br />
and<br />
d. they arrive in the UK by air with confirmed onward bookings by air within 24 hours <strong>of</strong> their<br />
scheduled arrival; and<br />
e. they have the necessary documentation, such as a genuine valid <strong>visa</strong>, for their destination.<br />
IN ADDITION THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ORDER:<br />
• Croatia<br />
• Libya<br />
• Slovakia<br />
Holders <strong>of</strong> passports issued by any <strong>of</strong> these countries will no longer require <strong>visa</strong>s to pass<br />
through the UK in <strong>transit</strong>. They may also now benefit from the TWOV concession.<br />
Dinaz Kheshwala<br />
Airline Liaison Assistant<br />
Mumbai<br />
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