introduction of a transit visa requirement - British Airways

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

c. they started their outward journey from their point of origin on or before 15 October 2003;
and
d. they arrive in the UK by air with confirmed onward bookings by air within 24 hours of their
scheduled arrival; and
e. they have the necessary documentation, such as a genuine valid visa, for their destination.
IN ADDITION THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ORDER:
• Croatia
• Libya
• Slovakia
Holders of passports issued by any of these countries will no longer require visas to pass
through the UK in transit. They may also now benefit from the TWOV concession.
Dinaz Kheshwala
Airline Liaison Assistant
Mumbai
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