Nigerians travelling to the UK using Air France-KLM now need transit visas following Brexit

NIGERIANS travelling to the UK using Air France-KLM now have to obtain an airport transit visa under new rules that have come into effect following the finalisation of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

At 11pm yesterday, the UK finally left the EU after four years of intense and protracted Brexit negotiations. Under the new regime, UK citizens will no longer have seamless automatic access to Europe and this also affects citizens from other countries flying to the UK stopping over in EU nations such as France and the Netherlands.

Air France-KLM has published a new set of guidelines titled Travel on Air France or KLM to and from the United Kingdom after Brexit. In the document, it points out that it is now compulsory for citizens of some African and Asian countries to have airport transit visas before they pass through France or the Netherlands.

A company spokesman said: “As of January 1, 2021, citizens of the following countries who are holders of a British visa, long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by the British authorities will need to be in possession of an airport transit visa (ATV) if they transit through France and or the Netherlands. Countries affected are Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Ghana.

"Others are Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Palestinians, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka. Exceptions to the ATV requirements are citizens of the above-named countries holding a visa or residence permit in addition to the UK visa/residence permit from Canada, Japan, the US or European countries.”