UK transit visas: list extended
01 July 2003
The government has extended the number of countries whose nationals need to have visa to come to the UK who are simply in transit, that is transferring from a flight to the UK to another to take them to their final destination, from two to ten. This requirement of having to apply for a visa to enter the UK from a British embassy before leaving their home country previously applied to Iraq and Sri Lanka. Under Immigration (Transit Visa) Order 1993 "laid" before parliament on 21 July this is extended to nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Turkey, Uganda and Zaire. The procedure of "laying" a new legal procedure before parliament for 21 days usually ensures that it goes through unnoticed by MPs as it is just listed on the crowded daily order paper.
This order has been introduced under Section 12 of the new Asylum and Immigration Appeal Act 1993 which amends the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987. Airlines who bring in passengers without visas can be fined £2000 per person. Since the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act was introduced in 1987 a total of 51,279 notices have been issued against airlines and shipping companies and a total of £25.06 million has been paid in fines.
Home Office press release 21.7.92; Commons written answer, 14.7.93.