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Countries face new UK visa rules | Countries face new UK visa rules |
(about 6 hours later) | |
South Africans visiting the United Kingdom will need a visa, under new rules issued by the Home Office. | South Africans visiting the United Kingdom will need a visa, under new rules issued by the Home Office. |
Bolivia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Venezuela also failed a test of the threat posed by their citizens in terms of security, immigration and crime. | Bolivia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Venezuela also failed a test of the threat posed by their citizens in terms of security, immigration and crime. |
Nationals from the five countries will now need to provide fingerprints and pay a fee to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. | Nationals from the five countries will now need to provide fingerprints and pay a fee to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. |
The South African government said it respected the Home Office's decision. | The South African government said it respected the Home Office's decision. |
In 2007, 419,000 people legally visited the UK from South Africa, including 168,000 tourists and 46,200 business visitors, while nearly 3,000 were given work permits. | In 2007, 419,000 people legally visited the UK from South Africa, including 168,000 tourists and 46,200 business visitors, while nearly 3,000 were given work permits. |
They are the fifth largest group of non-EU visitors to Britain behind citizens of the US, Australia, Canada and Japan. | |
But a government review of visas has resulted in the five countries being added to a list that already covers three quarters of the world's population, all of whom must apply for visas before travelling. | But a government review of visas has resulted in the five countries being added to a list that already covers three quarters of the world's population, all of whom must apply for visas before travelling. |
Fingerprint visas | Fingerprint visas |
"The government said it would get tough and we meant it," said immigration minister Phil Woolas. | "The government said it would get tough and we meant it," said immigration minister Phil Woolas. |
"Fingerprint visas make up one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside high-tech watch-list checks at the border and ID cards for foreign nationals." | "Fingerprint visas make up one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside high-tech watch-list checks at the border and ID cards for foreign nationals." |
First-time visitors to the UK from South Africa will need to apply for visas from 3 March 2009, with the full visa regime coming into effect by mid-2009, the government said. | First-time visitors to the UK from South Africa will need to apply for visas from 3 March 2009, with the full visa regime coming into effect by mid-2009, the government said. |
Visitor visas lasting up to six months will cost £65, and work visas £205. | Visitor visas lasting up to six months will cost £65, and work visas £205. |
Six months ago South Africa and 10 other countries were warned to improve their passport security systems or face tougher visa requirements. | Six months ago South Africa and 10 other countries were warned to improve their passport security systems or face tougher visa requirements. |
Six of these - Botswana, Brazil, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago - were adjudged to have improved sufficiently to escape the new rules. | Six of these - Botswana, Brazil, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago - were adjudged to have improved sufficiently to escape the new rules. |
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