Posted on: 15-10-03 09:17:46
Quote:
NEW DELHI: To check the growing menace of illegal immigration, Britain has announced that Indians will need a Direct Transit Visa from Thursday to travel through the country.
The new rule was announced by the British Home Office at 0001 BST (UK time) on October 16. Apart from Indians, nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Angola, Cameroon and Lebanon will need also rewuire a DATV to travel through Britain.
Previously nationals of these countries required visas to visit the country and were allowed to travel without one if they were passing through on their way to a third country.
A grace period for those who have already made their travel plans will operate until 23.59 hours on October 20. Any transit passenger who bought their ticket on or before October 15 will not be refused entry solely on the basis of not holding a valid transit visa.
Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said, "We are responding to intelligence that a growing number of nationals from these countries are using the transit route to flout our immigration controls and to enter the UK illegally or to make unfounded asylum applications."
"Today's announcement is part of a package of measures we are using to strengthen UK border controls abroad, including new screening technology and the better use of intelligence to break up gangs that profit from the trade in illegal immigrants. We are committed to making this process as straightforward as possible for genuine visitors," Hughes said.
In taking this step Britain have looked for ways to ensure that it keeps to a minimum the number of passengers who require a DATV by waiving the requirement for Indian nationals in possession of:
. a valid visa and ticket for Canada or the USA.
. For those travelling from Canada or the USA, a visa for that country which if expired did so no more than two calendar days before arrival in the UK
. a valid USA-1551 Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) issued on or after 21 April 1998
. a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 28 June 2002
. a valid common format Category D visa for entry to an EEA State which is valid for more than three months;
. a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA State pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002;
. a diplomatic or official passport issued by the Indian Government.
However, he said: "UK is committed to a continued increase in the number of visitors and students from India."
"We can ensure that those who do not qualify under these waivers and who need to apply for a DATV can do so as smoothly as possible and at any of our 11 visa application collection offices across India at a cost of Rs 2,150," he added.
Story taken from:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=234881
It is good that Canadian PR holders doesn't need anything, but if your relatives are visiting you on visitor Visa - then be careful
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Proud Indian Canadian
- a valid visa and ticket for Canada or the USA.
I hope it means Indians with immigrant visa to Canada do not require any additional visa for transit through UK.
I would be arriving in Toronto on 31st Oct transiting through London on immigrant visa (Canada).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Give free food http://www.thehungersite.com ||
Raj,
You should in Toronto now. Any experience at London airport?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Proud Indian Canadian
Hi fellas:
I left Toronto to fly to Chennai(India) via the UK .I departed Oct 18,2003 and was informed by the Check In counter that I was lucky to be permitted to board the flight(since my ticket was purchased on October 9th 2003).They informed me that they had already rejected a couple of check ins since their tickets were purchased after Oct 15th 2003 and hence did not qualify to board the aircraft without a transit visa for the UK.
I came back on November 7th 2003 via Heathrow airport. Both times, no one asked for my visa for Canada.However,aircraft personnel looked at my passport and ticket.Hardly a glance at my Canadian visa.
In Toronto, again, very cursory glance at my passport and papers before being waved through to customs.
Guess I was probably fortunate to travel without any hassle!
Sathish
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sathish Subramanian
Email:
Quote:
Orginally posted by rajcanada
- a valid visa and ticket for Canada or the USA.
I hope it means Indians with immigrant visa to Canada do not require any additional visa for transit through UK.
I would be arriving in Toronto on 31st Oct transiting through London on immigrant visa (Canada).
Raj, what was your experience?
I heard from one friend's wife that she had to miss a flight to London just because airport staff at Canada didn't allowed her to board and asked her to get transit visa from ottawa. She has to change a plan and went via Paris.
As per the rules they must allow anybody with PR status in Canada.
Anybody has any bad/good experience?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Proud Indian Canadian
I landed in Canada on October 31,2003. I had no problems at London Airport as far as visa, etc., are concerned. I did not get a transit visa for UK. I did miss the Air Canada flight because Air India flight from Delhi was late. It was a Air India flight Delhi to London and London-Toronto by Air Canada. I was booked on next Air Canada flight that was about 3 hours later from the time I missed the plane.
When boarding the Air Canada flight, I was asked why my landing papers said port of entry as Winnipeg, Manitoba and why I was going to Toronto. I said that I will go to Winnipeg from Toronto. I was asked this same question as why I was going to Brampton, ON when my landing papers say Winnipeg, MB.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Give free food http://www.thehungersite.com ||
