13.
ENDORSEMENTS IN BN(0) PASSPORTS TO INDICATE THAT THE HOLDER
DOES NOT REQUIRE ENTRY CLEARANCE TO VISIT THE UNITED KINGDOM
14.
It has been suggested that an endorsement should be entered in BN (0) passports
to make it clear that the holder does not require entry clearance to visit the
United Kingdom [to enhance the acceptability of the passport to third countries].
We consider this proposal to be misconceived in implying that visit entry
clearance is a requirement rather than a facility. In fact it is a facility
available to those who wish to ensure their admission to the United Kingdom
before they set off on a visit to this country. It would be wrong to discourage
people from making use of this facility. Furthermore, it would lead individuals
to the mistaken belief that there could be no question of their being turned back
at the port of entry. Visitors arriving at a port of entry must satisfy the
immigration officer that they qualify for admission under the Immigration Rules.
Any endorsement which might be taken as a general or individual exemption from
this requirement would be misleading and would create confusion.
[If pressed] The objective of ensuring the acceptability of BN (0) passports
generally will be pursued within the context of discussions with third countries.
However, we will consider whether some other form of
• documentation
might provide the reassurance that is sought from the proposed endorsement.
ENTRY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR BN(0)s
The entry clearance requirements for BN (0)s will be precisely the same as those
currently applying to BDTCs. Those coming to this country for settlement or in a
category leading to settlement (eg for marriage, for employment or business, or
as persons of independent means) require prior entry clearance. Those coming for
temporary purposes such as visitors or students do not require an entry clearance but they may obtain this in advance if they wish to ensure their admission before
they set out.
There is no intention of imposing a mandatory entry clearance requirement on
those coming to this country for temporary purposes.
32.5