LAHORE MIRROR – The United Kingdom has announced that it will impose visa requirements for visitors from five nations, namely Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, British media reported.
The decision comes as a response to the perceived abuse of the migration system by nationals from these countries. The UK’s Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, stated that the changes are primarily aimed at enhancing migration and border security and do not reflect strained relations with the affected nations.
Braverman, in a written statement to Members of Parliament, specifically pointed out Dominica and Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment schemes, which have reportedly been exploited and used to grant citizenship to individuals deemed risky for the UK.
Regarding Namibia and Honduras, Braverman highlighted a significant increase in nationals from these countries abusing their right to visit the UK without a visa and then applying for asylum. As a result, Namibians and Hondurans rank highest among non-visa nationals in terms of asylum claims, putting considerable strain on frontline resources and other operational priorities.
The case of Timor-Leste involves a sustained increase in its nationals arriving at the UK border as non-genuine visitors. Many of them have been attempting to fraudulently claim EU Settlement Scheme status as dependents or seek illegal work in the UK.
To provide some transitional leeway, Braverman is allowing a four-week period for individuals with confirmed bookings to travel to the UK without visas before the new requirements take effect.
The move comes in the context of the UK government’s broader crackdown on migrants attempting to claim asylum by crossing the English Channel. The Illegal Migration Bill, which has faced controversy, is set to become law, and it aims to prevent people from seeking asylum if they arrive through unauthorized means.
The British government also hopes these changes will lead to more prompt removals of detained individuals to their home countries or third-party nations like Rwanda, despite facing a legal challenge.
The provisional number of migrant crossings in 2023 is lower than last year, but the government remains committed to addressing the issue. However, the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, have expressed their concern and criticized the Bill for its potential impact on people in need of international protection, arguing that it may breach the UK’s obligations under international law.
Despite the criticism, Downing Street has defended the Bill, with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson asserting that the government is confident that its actions are in compliance with international law.
