PR= Permanent Resident or Green Card Holder
Germany does not recognize Advance parole, UK does not recognize AP. New many needs transit Visa for UK also.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=234881
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2003 05:56:00 PM ]
NEW DELHI: To check the growing menace of illegal immigration, Britain has announced that Indians will need a Direct Transit Visa (DATV) from Thursday to travel through the country.
"It is a fact that there is a significant level of abuse of the UK immigration control committed by Indian nationals," British High Commission officials said.
Between January to June 2003 there is evidence to indicate that Indian nationals accounted for 40 per cent of cases where passengers able to transit the UK without a visa and who then sought to stay in Britain illegally or by making an asylum claim, involved Indian nationals, the High Commission said.
During 2002, around 2000 Indian nationals applied for asylum in the UK. Indications are that the number this year will be even higher, officials added.
In the same period, some 400 arrived without any documents and 270 plus using forged documents.
Indian nationals accounted for the highest number of asylum applications made on arrival in the UK.
The British Home Office announced that from 0001 BST (UK time) on 16 October apart from Indians, nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Angola, Cameroon and Lebanon will need DATV to travel through the UK.
Previously nationals of these countries had required visas to visit the UK, but had been able to travel without one if they were passing through, within 24 hours, on their way to a third country.
A grace period for those who have already made their travel plans will operate until 23.59 hours on 20 October. Any transit passenger who bought their ticket on or before 15 October will not be refused entry solely on the basis of not holding a valid transit visa.
Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said, "We are responding to intelligence that a growing number of nationals from these countries are using the transit route to flout our immigration controls and to enter the UK illegally or to make unfounded asylum applications."
"Today's announcement is part of a package of measures we are using to strengthen UK border controls abroad, including new screening technology and the better use of intelligence to break up gangs that profit from the trade in illegal immigrants. We are committed to making this process as straightforward as possible for genuine visitors," Hughes said.
However, he said the "UK is committed to a continued increase in the number of visitors and students from India."
"We can ensure that those who do not qualify under these waivers and who need to apply for a DATV can do so as smoothly as possible and at any of our 11 visa application collection offices across India at a cost of Rs 2150," he added.
In taking this step, Britain have looked for ways to ensure that it keeps to a minimum the number of passengers who require a DATV by waiving the requirement for Indian nationals in possession of a valid visa and ticket for Canada or the USA.
There is a relaxation also for those who possess a valid USA-1551 Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) issued on or after 21 April 1998 or a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 28 June 2002. DATV is also not applicable to people with valid common format Category D visa for entry to an EEA State which is valid for more than three months.