UK now requires entry clearance Published Dec. 23, 2003 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- New immigration regulations enacted by the United Kingdom require people visiting for more than six months to obtain entry clearance before travel.These new rules apply to military family members, as well as civilian personnel, contractors and their families. Active-duty military members on orders are exempt.A "grace period" has been established until Jan. 13. People without entry clearances will be denied entry after Jan. 13. Military people with orders to the United Kingdom must ensure their family members obtain no-fee passports, since they are required to be submitted to the British consulate along with the applications for entry clearance, said officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. Officials said processing an entry clearance is expected to take less than a week for "routine" applications, but may take as long as 45 days. A fee is also required for each family member requiring an entry clearance. The fee is approximately $125 at the current exchange rate, payable in local currency, plus a $16 fee for mailing costs. People should contact the local British consulate visa section for the exact fee. Airmen may file for reimbursement of the fees on their travel voucher when they arrive at their new permanent-duty station. Civilian employees must have a transportation agreement to make a claim for reimbursement. Within the United States, a single British consulate has been designated as the main processing center for applications for each section of the country. Military members with orders to the United Kingdom should consult their base passport monitor before submitting applications to the consulate within their region below.East of the Mississippi RiverBritish ConsulateAttn: Sarah Granville-White/Yvonne Foley845 Third AvenueNew York, NY 10022(212) 745-0200 West of the Rocky MountainsBritish ConsulateAttn: Francesca Dooley/Des Brewer11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1200Los Angeles, CA 90025-6538(310) 481-2900Central United StatesChicago ConsulateThe Wrigley Building400 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1380Chicago, IL 60611(312) 970-3854More information on British consulates in the United States may be found online at www.britainusa.com/. Information on British consulates worldwide may be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk. Select "Contact Us," and then "UK Overseas Missions" to find the British consulate for a specific country.For more information, AFPC officials urge airmen to contact the passport or outbound assignments section at their local military personnel flight. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)