United Kingdom: Visa-Exempt Travel Ceases for Colombian Nationals

Effective November 26, 2024, Colombian nationals are no longer visa-exempt when entering the United Kingdom as visitors and must instead obtain a visa under the relevant category for which entry is sought. They now also require a direct airside transit visa (DATV) to transit through the United Kingdom, even if they do not intend to go through immigration control and customs. Given the new visa requirement, Colombia will be removed from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) eligibility list on November 27, 2024 (as the ETA only applies to visa-exempt nationals). In a transitional measure, Colombian nationals who hold a confirmed travel booking issued prior to 15:00 (GMT) on November 26, 2024 will be able to enter the United Kingdom without a visa until 15:00 (GMT) on December 24, 2024. According to UK authorities, the change in policy is in response to an increase in Colombian nationals entering the United Kingdom as visitors for purposes prohibited under visitor rules, such as to live, to work, or to claim asylum.