With effect from Wednesday 1 July 2009, passport holders from Lesotho and Swaziland who wish to visit or transit the United Kingdom will require a UK visa. This decision follows a global review of the UK’s pre-entry immigration controls and reflects the UK government’s commitment to strengthen its borders.

Already, nationals from Lesotho and Swaziland need a visa to work or settle in the UK, as do all non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals.  Now visitors from Lesotho and Swaziland will need to apply for a visa whatever the purpose or duration of their stay. They will also require a transit visa if they wish to travel via the UK en route to a third country.

The Visa Waiver Test reviewed all non European countries and regions to determine the level of risk their citizens potentially posed to the UK in terms of illegal immigration, crime and security, by not having to apply for a visa before they travelled.

In July 2008 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) found 11 countries fell short of the required standard and has worked closely with them to improve their passport and border control systems.  With the mitigation period over, it was decided visa checks would now be required for five of these countries in order to stop fraudulent attempts to enter Britain.

As well as Lesotho and Swaziland, passport holders from Bolivia, South Africa, and Venezuela will all require visas to enter the UK from the middle of 2009.

Information on how to apply for a visa is available at the VFS website (select Lesotho or Swaziland from the drop down menu).