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Implementation dates of new visa regimes for nationals of Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela
01 April 2009
Today the Government announced the start dates of the United Kingdom's new short stay visitor visa requirements for the above countries. Travellers from these countries who are transiting the United Kingdom on route to other countries will also need a transit visa.
Visa regimes for Bolivian and Venezuelan nationals will begin on Monday 18 May 2009. Venezuelan nationals holding valid biometric passports containing an electronic chip will be exempt from the visa requirement. At the same time we will also be clarifying how the visa exemption for Taiwan passport holders works - that it only applies to those with full residency rights in Taiwan.
The temporary visa exemption for South African visitors with a previous travel history to the United Kingdom which began on 3 March will cease at midnight on 30 June 2009. From Wednesday 1 July 2009 all South African visitors will require a visa, as will visitors from Lesotho and Swaziland.
Related documents
- Visa Waiver Test - introduction of visa regimesPDF 70KB opens in a new window