Five new countries face tough visa rules
Visa checks are to be introduced for five countries after they failed to pass the United Kingdom's strict new Visa Waiver Test.
Following the UK Government's first global review of who needs a visa to come to the United Kingdom, visas will now be required for visitors from Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela.
Nationals of Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela already need a visa to work or settle in the UK, as do all nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area. Now they will need to apply for a visa even if they are visiting the UK for less than six months. In the case of Venezuela, visitors who have new secure fingerprint passports issued since 2007 will be allowed to enter the UK without applying for a visa.
Additionally, anyone wishing to travel from Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland or Venezuela to another country via the United Kingdom will now need a transit visa. The same transit visa requirements have been extended to Jamaican nationals wanting to pass through the United Kingdom.
First-time visitors to the United Kingdom from South Africa will need to apply for visas from 3 March 2009, with the full visa regime there and in the other countries coming into effect by mid-2009.
The visa regime for Taiwanese passport holders will be lifted as a result of the Visa Waiver Test. This will take effect from 3 March 2009.
