The
United Kingdom, UK, is making plans to amend its border control system to
benefit citizens from 52 Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
Forty-five
members of the UK parliament said Commonwealth countries may get fast-tracked
visas to the UK after Brexit if the proposal sails through.
UK Telegraph reports that the suggestion was made in a letter
addressed to the home secretary, Amber Rudd.
According
to the letter, Commonwealth stood with Britain when it witnessed “existential
threats”, but that UK has left its allies in the cold as it “pivoted to
Europe.”
The
letter read, “I am writing to urge you to extend the hand of friendship to our
Commonwealth partners.
“In
the previous century, Commonwealth countries stood with Britain as we faced
existential threats from abroad but as we pivoted to Europe, increasingly, our
Commonwealth allies were left in the cold.
“The lack of consideration for Commonwealth citizens is at its
starkest at our border. While EU citizens are collecting their luggage or
exchanging greetings with loved ones, our Commonwealth friends wait tirelessly
in the ‘All other passports’ queue.
“Firstly,
signs at border control that class every non-EU national as ‘All other
passports’ should be changed to ‘The Commonwealth and all other passports’.
This is a small step but one that can be enacted quickly.
“Secondly,
the government must commit to examine ways to reduce wait times for
Commonwealth citizens entering the UK, perhaps through the use of dedicated
Commonwealth border control gates.
“Entry
processing may not be as quick as in the EU channel as several of the 52
Commonwealth nations require a visa for travel to the UK however, this would
send out an important message about the value Britain places on its
relationship with the Commonwealth.”
Another suggestion made was that Commonwealth citizens be allowed
access to the registered traveller scheme, which would allow them access to use
UK/EU lanes and reduce time spent waiting in line.
They
added, “Finally, access to the Registered Traveller Scheme should be further
expanded to include additional Commonwealth countries. This programmee,
predominately aimed at the business traveler, allows some foreign nationals who
meet specific requirements to register and use the UK/EU lanes and e-passport
gates, dramatically reducing the time spent waiting in line.
“Home
secretary, you are in a position to effect real, positive change in our
relations with our Commonwealth partners. It would be a shame to let this
opportunity pass us by.”
By John Owen Nwachukwu
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