UK clarifies visa rules

TO HELP clarify UK visa rules,
the British High Commission
and tour operator British T.I.P.S.
organised educationals for
agents last week.
Two of the main points that
came up at the workshops
were the processing times for
visa applications and the rules
regarding transit visas.
Lorna Feldtmann, regional
business manager, Africa, UK
Visa and Immigration, says
visa application turnaround
times have been changed from
six to seven working days to
15 working days.
Another issue that
was addressed was the
complicated nature of transit
visas. Two types of transit
visas can be applied for.
A Direct Airside Transit Visa
(DATV) is for passengers who
won’t leave the airport.
Passengers will need a DATV
if they are changing flights in
the UK without going through
immigration control and are
from outside the European
Economic Area (EEA) or
Switzerland. For example, a
South African traveller flying
to Paris via Heathrow with
a Schengen visa, changing
flights at Heathrow, will need
a DATV.
South African passport
holders who have Australian,
Canadian, New Zealand or US
visas, do not need a DATV,
as these are considered
exemption documents, due to
the countries’ own stringent
security checks. The DATV
costs R574 (£34).
The second transit visa is
a Visitor in Transit Visa (VTV)
and is for passengers who
are flying via the UK, but need
to pass through immigration
and are from outside the
EEA or Switzerland. The VTV
is only valid for 48 hours.
For example, a South African
traveller flying to Paris, arriving
at Heathrow but departing
from Gatwick within 48 hours
after their arrival in the UK, will
need a VTV. The VTV costs
R1 047 (£62) .