London: Nationals from India, Pakistan and four other countries would now need a Visa to travel through the UK, the Home Office announced on October 15.

The new Visa regime -- 'Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)' -- would come into effect from midnight tonight, it said in a news release. Besides India and Pakistan, the other countries affected by DATV are Bangladesh, Angola, Cameroon and Lebanon.

Previously nationals of these countries needed the Visas to visit the UK, but could do without one if they were passing through, within 24 hours, on their way to a third country.

The Home Office cited six reasons as to why the measure was being introduced saying "it is a fact that there is a significant level of abuse of the UK immigration control committed by Indian nationals."

PTI