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UK transit visas: list extended (1)

01 January 1991

UK transit visas: list extended
artdoc August=1993

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 Ã2,000 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 Ã25.06 million has been paid
in fines.
Home Office press release, 21.7.92; Commons written answer,
14.7.93.

Statewatch vol 3 no 4 July-August 1993