Visa Services

From 13 November 2005 all non-EEA nationals entering the UK for a period longer than six months will have to apply for entry clearance before travelling to the UK.

The UK government seeks to enhance, strengthen and make more expedient border controls by making it a requirement for all nationals of non-EEA countries to apply for entry clearance prior to their arrival in the UK (for an intended stay greater than six months). This is a part of an EU strategy to establish the same format document travel permit for travelling across any EU territory in order to combat fraudulent documentation.

The first phase of these particular measures was enforced by the UK government on 13 November 2003. Initially the requirement was in respect of nationals of a limited number of non-EEA countries, however, it is now extended to include all non-EEA countries.

Therefore, as from 13 November 2005, all nationals of non-EEA countries, who wish to come to the United Kingdom for a period exceeding six months, will be required to obtain prior entry clearance by making an application at the British post nearest to where they live. According to information available, the entry clearance will be valid for the entire period of the applicant\'s intended stay in the UK.

This change is considered by the Home Office to be beneficial in a number of ways. The Home Office states that it will assist in management of the flow throughout UK airports, reduce delays, provide greater certainty in respect of passengers\' status and will be more cost effective in comparison with the cost of in-country applications for residence permits.

To ensure that passengers who are unaware of this change are not unduly inconvenienced, a grace period will operate until 13 January 2006, during which time any passenger who arrives at a port of entry in the UK, and who qualifies for entry but does not have the requisite entry clearance, will be admitted. Thereafter, the applicant will be required to make an application for a residence permit in order to extend his/her stay. The change will not affect visitors, who will be able to apply for leave to enter on their arrival. However, anyone arriving in other categories for an intended stay of over six months will be refused entry.

© Gherson & Co November 2005

IRIS was introduced by the Government as part of their e-borders programme. The e-borders programme is designed to complement and enhance the current UK counter terrorism strategy. Pilot IRIS operational barriers are situated at Heathrow terminals 2 and 4.

What is IRIS?

The IRIS scheme is aimed at foreign nationals who are permanently or temporarily resident in the UK and who travel frequently in and out of the UK, however, it is also open to British citizens and others.

IRIS works by taking a picture of your unique iris pattern, which is then stored in a database. Once the picture is stored you should be able to pass through immigration control on arrival in the UK by using automated barriers. Passengers will still be required to carry their passports but will not usually be required to show them at the barriers. It is also important to remember that your passport will not be stamped as you enter the UK and accordingly if you have not yet obtained indefinite leave to remain or been naturalised as a British Citizen it is important to keep accurate records of your travel in and out of the UK.

The British Government has announced its intention to implement an overseas screening programme for TB in 4 high-risk countries, for people intending to enter the United Kingdom for more than 6 months.

On 17 March 2005 the Russian Government published on their official website their concept of passport and visa documents that will contain biometric information about the passport holder. President Putin has issued instructions that the specimen of the biometric passport must be ready by 1 January 2006, whilst the deadline for transferring all the Russian citizens to new documents is scheduled for 1 January 2007.

As reported in RIA Novosti, a spokesman for the Russian Interior Ministry announced that the biometric indicators for Russian passports will be limited to fingerprints and to a digital or scanned photograph.

On 21 February 2005 the government announced that its Airline Liaison Officer network which works with airlines to stop passengers who do not have genuine documents setting off for the UK is to be expanded by over 50 percent this year.

The Home Office is investing over £4 million into increasing the network of Airline Liaison Officers (ALOs) as part of its Five-Year Strategy to tighten control beyond the UK.

There is currently a permanent network of 27 ALOs based in 25 posts across Europe, Asia and Africa. The number of staff in the network will rise to a total of 42, beginning in the next two months.

From 12 May 2004 Kenyans and Tanzanians have to apply for transit visas in order to travel through the UK.

Up until that date nationals of those two countries had to obtain visas in order to visit the UK, but if they were staying in the UK for less than 24 hours on their way to another country, then they were permitted to pass through for that short period without the need for applying for and obtaining a visa. The requirements have now been tightened and visas are required even for a stopover in the UK.

The new requirements apply to all Kenyan and Tanzanian nationals who intend to travel through the UK in transit, unless they qualify for an exemption.