The UK Home Office has introduced new visa and transit rules effective March 11, 2025, affecting Nigeria and several other countries.

These updated regulations clarify visa requirements for entry and transit through the UK, including new rules for airside and landside transit passengers.

According to the UK Home Office, nationals from countries marked in red on the official list require a visa to enter or transit the UK. The list also specifies that nationals from countries marked in black need a visa for landside transit and that all visa nationals may transit the UK without a visa in certain circumstances. The updated visa rules affect a wide range of travelers, including those transiting through the UK without passing through the border.

Nigeria, along with countries such as Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, China, Congo, India, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela (for non-biometric passport holders), now requires a visa for both entry and transit through the UK.

According to the Home Office, UK visas can now be issued in either physical form or as a digital eVisa and electronic travel authorization (ETA) system has been introduced for eligible countries, replacing visa requirements for some travelers. Passengers from visa-required countries, including Nigeria, can transit airside without a visa if they arrive and depart by air on the same day, hold a confirmed onward flight ticket and have valid entry documents for their next destination.

However, nationals from red-listed countries must still obtain a visa to transit airside, unless they hold one of the following: a valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA (whether or not the holder is travelling to or from these countries); or a visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA as part of a reasonable journey FROM the country in respect of which the visa is held and it is less than 6 months since the holder last entered that country with a valid entry visa.

Others include; USA issued after April 21st 1998; or a valid US Immigrant visa endorsed with a US arrival stamp (a wet-ink/ADIT stamp version will NOT be accepted by UK border control); or an expired I-551 Permanent Residence card provided it is accompanied by a valid I-797 letter authorising extension; or a standalone US Immigration Form 155A/155B (attached to a sealed brown envelope); or a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA state or Switzerland; or a valid common format category D visa for entry to an EEA state or Switzerland; or a valid Irish biometric visa endorsed BC or BC BIVS (in order to transit to a destination other than the Republic of Ireland or the Common Travel Area).

Furthermore, a valid Schengen Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) group tourism visa where the holder is travelling TO the country that issued it; or a valid airline ticket FROM the Schengen area; provided the holder can demonstrate they entered there no more than 30 days previously on the basis of a valid Schengen ADS visa.

The Home Office also warns that other countries’ e-visas or e-residence permits are not acceptable unless the airline can verify it with the issuing country.

______________________________________________________________________

Revolutionizing Legal Research: "Civil Litigation Serial" and "Encyclopedia of Nigerian Case Law" Now Available

"Civil Litigation Serial" and "Encyclopedia of Nigerian Case Law Principles and Authorities" are must-have resources for legal practitioners, offering comprehensive insights into civil litigation and case law principles. The first volumes are now available for purchase through independent booksellers across Nigeria. Call 07051822705 to get your copies today! ______________________________________________________________________

Grab Your Complete Law Reports Now!!! IP, Company, Evidence & Land Cases - All Volumes With Digital Index!!!

To get a copy kindly Call 07044444777, 07044444999, 08181999888, https://alexandernigeria.com/ ______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _________________________________________________________________