UK Introduces New Travel Rules for Nigeria, Other African Countries

The United Kingdom has introduced new travel rules that require citizens of Nigeria, South Africa and 31 other African countries to secure entry clearance before travelling to or passing through the country.

The new requirement was announced in updated immigration guidance released by the UK Home Office as part of changes to its travel regulations.

Under the new rules, travellers must first make sure they meet the UK’s visa requirements before booking their flights. Anyone who fails to obtain the necessary travel documents may experience delays, have their travel plans disrupted or be refused boarding by their airline.

The Home Office also confirmed that citizens of more than 100 countries and territories are still required to obtain a visa before entering the UK for visits lasting up to six months unless they are covered by an exemption. The requirement also applies to some passengers who are only transiting through airports in the United Kingdom.

The revised guidance further states that stateless persons, as well as travellers using documents other than officially recognised national passports or identity cards, must also obtain entry clearance before beginning their journey.

According to the UK authorities, the updated measures are intended to improve border control and ensure that travellers comply with the country’s immigration rules before arrival.

The African countries affected by the new entry clearance requirement are Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.