Jamaicans travelling to the UK will be required to have visas for the first time under new rules designed to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Jamaicans have previously needed only a plane ticket and a valid passport to enter Britain for a period of up to six months.

However, from midnight on Wednesday, the rules will change, in a move the Home Office says will help cut severe delays at immigration control.

Travellers on flights from Jamaica are often held up at UK airports for as much as two hours by immigration and customs checks.

Drug trafficking is also a problem and large amounts of cocaine have been found on Jamaican flights in recent years.

Refused entry

Home Secretary David Blunkett, announcing the rule change, said: "For some years the number of Jamaican passengers being refused entry on arrival in the UK has been increasing.

"This is a real problem and the consequences of this abuse of the immigration system are felt mainly by genuine visitors from Jamaica.

"The UK has strong links with Jamaica which contribute to the richness and diversity of our country.

"Visas will not stop genuine visitors from Jamaica coming to the UK but this will mean they will no longer spend hours at Immigration Control on arrival." More at news.bbc.co.uk

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2003