Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: Changes to UK Visa requirements A Guide for Carriers

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1 Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: Changes to UK Visa requirements A Guide for Carriers February 2014 v1

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 23 July 3 August 2014 The 20th Commonwealth Games will be held in Scotland, where 6,500 athletes from 70 countries will

2 Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 23 July 3 August 2014 The 20th Commonwealth Games will be held in Scotland, where 6,500 athletes from 70 countries will compete in 17 sports over 11 days. 1 million tickets on sale 4,500 Games Family Members expected to apply for visas or use the Accreditation Card waiver 2

3 During the Games period All passengers will still require a valid passport or other travel document satisfactorily establishing their identity and nationality Many of the passengers you will see will be travelling to the UK to watch the Commonwealth Games. Normal visa requirements will apply to these passengers.

4 Visa Nationals: Will not need a visa to come to the UK for the Games if they are arriving between 4 March and 3 August 2014 as long as they have: a valid passport; an accreditation card issued by the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and; have provided their biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) before 30 April They will be given leave to enter the UK until 03 September 2014.

5 The Commonwealth Games Identity and Accreditation Card The Accreditation Cards will: In most cases, act in place of a visa for the UK Be valid for entry between 4 March 2014 and 03 August 2014 for a maximum of 6 months stay in the UK or until 03 September Be valid for multiple entry and exits between these dates Allow the card holder to carry out their official role e.g. as an athlete or as a broadcaster

6 (Unlaminated) Commonwealth Games 2014 Accreditation Card 6

7 Wallet containing the unlaminated Accreditation Card The non valid comment does NOT apply for travel purposes (- ONLY for entry to the Games venues).

8 Front of the Commonwealth Games 2014 Accreditation Card 8

9 Reverse of the Commonwealth Games 2014 Accreditation Card 9

10 Laminated Card 10

11 Security Features of the card The Accreditation cards contain many of the security features commonly seen on current national ID cards and passports in circulation. The cards include: visible and invisible fibres microprint security thread There is now an information bulletin available which describes many of the security features of the cards. Please contact your regional ILM/O if you would like copies of this document.

12 Date of Travel Remember the Commonwealth Games take place between: 23 July 03 August 2014 From 03 August September 2014 any visa national passenger travelling to the UK without a visa, but presenting a Commonwealth Games Accreditation Card must already have: Entered the UK for the purpose of attending the Games between 4 March August 2014

13 Exceptions - CATEGORIES Commonwealth Games Accreditation Cards with the following categories: S (Security) and WKF (Workforce) DO NOT act as a visa waiver to the UK and therefore DO NOT allow passengers to travel to the UK without a UK visa

14 Travel to the UK via another country Visa national passengers travelling to the UK via another country (including the Schengen States and Ireland) must ensure that they are correctly documented to transit. The Accreditation Card does not provide any visa waiver benefits for other countries

15 Practical Example (1) A Nigerian passenger wishes to fly from your airport on 2 March 2014 directly to Heathrow. He presents his valid Commonwealth Games Accreditation card along with his valid Nigerian passport. You check the category of the card and this allows him to benefit from the visa waiver concession. You compare the image of the passenger on his Accreditation Card to the passenger in front of you and the image in his passport. You are happy that the passenger is the rightful holder of the documents. Can the passenger travel?

16 Practical Example (2) A Pakistani national seeks to travel from your airport on 03 June 2014 directly to Heathrow. She presents her valid Pakistani passport which contains no valid UK visa and her valid Commonwealth Games Accreditation card. You check the details in her passport and you note her name as Nazima Fatima Ahmed. You then look at her Accreditation Card and note her name as Naz Ahmed. Clearly the names don t match but you are happy that the person in front of you matches the images in both the passport and the Accreditation Card. Can the passenger travel?

17 Practical Example (3) A Sri Lankan national seeks to travel from your airport on 08 July 2014 directly to Heathrow. She presents her valid Sri Lankan passport which contains no UK visa, and her valid Accreditation Card. You check the category code on the Accreditation Card and this allows her to benefit from the visa waiver concession. You are also satisfied that the passenger is the rightful holder of the passport and Accreditation card. You do note though that on the front of the Accreditation Card, it lists the country as Canada. Clearly this does not match the nationality on the passenger s passport. Can the passenger travel?

18 Practical Example (4) A Jamaican passenger wishes to travel from your airport to London City Airport on 08 June He presents his valid Jamaican passport which contains a visa for the UK which expired on 30 April He also presents a valid Accreditation Card. You carry out your normal checks and are satisfied that the passenger is the rightful holder of the document. You note that the category code of the Accreditation Card is S. Can the passenger travel?

19 Practical Example (5) A Rwandan national wishes to travel from your airport on 20 August 2014 directly to the UK. He presents his valid Rwanda passport which contains no visa for the UK. He also presents his valid Accreditation Card. You carry out your normal checks, including verifying the category on the card which you confirm allows for a visa waiver. You also verify the image on the Accreditation Card and passport against the passenger. All is in order. Can the passenger travel?

20 Practical Example (6) A well known athlete with an Australian passport wishes to fly from your airport on 25 March 2014 directly to Heathrow. He presents his valid Australian passport however he tells you that he has forgotten his accreditation card. Can you board the passenger?

21 Help and Advice If you need any further advice or support, please contact: your local ILM/O the UK port of arrival

Tourist Visa fees Chart (For United Kingdom Passport Holders) Validity

Tourist Visa fees Chart (For United Kingdom Passport Holders) Validity fees Chart (For United Kingdom Passport Holders) IVS Service Up to six months 92.20 1.00 Up to 2 Years (maximum stay of 180 days per 287.20 305.00 The fee for UK National for more than 2 years and up to