§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to improve immigration control to ensure that people coming into the United Kingdom do so in accordance with the Immigration Rules. [HL6379]
§ Lord Filkin:The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules are prevented from coming here.
Throughout this year there has been an increase in the number of Zimbabwe nationals who, on arrival at UK ports, are found to be inadmissible. Therefore, from 00.01 hours on Saturday 9 November we will require nationals of Zimbabwe to obtain visas to come to the United Kingdom. Zimbabwe nationals will also have to obtain a direct airside transit visa when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom.
To avoid any undue hardship for those who have already made their travel plans, we have agreed to the operation of the following grace period. From 00.01 hours on 9 November to 23.59 hours on 15 November, any Zimbabwe national who purchased his ticket on or before 7 November and is travelling to the UK on a direct journey from Zimbabwe will not be refused entry solely on the basis of not holding a valid visa.