London, Jun 23: The government said today it is adding 16 nations to a list of countries whose citizens need visas to travel through Britain on their way to other destinations. Home office minister Beverley Hughes said the measure, effective Tuesday, is aimed at preventing would-be asylum seekers from skirting immigration controls by claiming that they are traveling to a third country. "We are determined to take all necessary steps to ensure the integrity of our borders," Hughes said. "Unacceptably high numbers of people are refused leave to enter the country when they arrive at our airports and some may go on to make unfounded asylum claims."

The affected countries are Albania, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Nepal, the Palestinian territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Vietnam.

Those visiting Britain from these countries already need visas. The change means they will also need a visa in order to pass through Britain on their way to a third country.


The home office said the change would not affect anyone on the return leg of a journey started before Monday and who had passed through Britain on the outward leg. It also announced a grace period until 23:59 local time (22:59 GMT) on Saturday for those who had bought travel tickets on or before June 23. Bureau Report