\\\'Changes in UK transit rules good news for BD nationals\\\'

The airside and landside transit visa requirements for the UK are changing from December 1 and the changes are 'good news' for Bangladesh nationals, said British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert W Gibson on Thursday, reports UNB.
The direct airside transit visa fee has already been reduced to £30, making our transit visa cheaper than Schengen's and its routine validity has been extended to two years.
Alongside this, landside transit requirements will be tightened and clarified to prevent potential abuse, and the list of exemption documents that can be used in place of a transit visa will be increased, he added.
These changes will make transit simpler, more consistent and easier for passengers and carriers.
These changes are good news for Bangladesh nationals. They include dropping the en-route requirement for Bangladeshi holders of Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and US visas, who will now be able to use them to transit airside via the UK to anywhere in the world without requiring a UK visa.
Gibson said, "The changes to the UK's transit regime show the UK is open for business: they'll help ensure that our world-class airports and airlines continue to be competitive and attract international travellers and business visitors, including from Bangladesh."
The UK is unique in allowing landside transit in recognition of the different airports that serve London.
"The change will require all visa nationals to hold either a transit visa for landside transit or a valid exemption document but we have balanced this by also increasing the types of exemption documents we will accept", he also said.