§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to lift the visa requirement for visitors from Slovakia in advance of EU accession. [87315]
§ Beverley HughesVisa regimes are maintained only where they contribute to effective immigration control. The visa regime has proved effective in reducing the numbers of inadmissible passengers travelling to the UK from Slovakia. Following Slovakia's accession to the EU in 2004, all categories of Slovak nationals will enjoy rights of free movement and will not require a visa to come to the UK. In the meantime, the visa regime on Slovak nationals, as with all visa regimes, will be kept under review and will be lifted when we consider that the threat to our immigration control is at an acceptable level.