UK Requires Transit Visas for 32 African Nations' Citizens

The United Kingdom government has announced that citizens from 32 African countries are required to obtain a valid transit or entry visa before they can enter or transit through UK airports. This new regulation affects a significant number of African nations, including Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The requirement prohibits these citizens from passing through UK airports without a valid visa, even if their final destination is elsewhere. Airlines are also subject to UK carrier liability rules, which means they may face penalties for boarding passengers who do not meet these entry or transit requirements.

The UK government has provided a reference guide for international carriers to check passenger eligibility prior to departure, and travelers from the listed countries are advised to confirm their visa status well in advance of any travel involving a UK airport stopover.