WAIVER OF VISAS AND VISA FEES FOR NONIMMIGRANTS Exchange of notes at London November 9 and 12, 1948 62 Stat. 3824; Treaties and Other International Acts Series 1926 The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to the American No. UR 7266/6229/G SIR, FOREIGN OFFICE, S. W. 1. I have the honour to inform you that, with a view to facilitating the movement of citizens of the United States of America to this country, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are prepared to abolish the visa requirement for United States citizens travelling to the United Kingdom. 2. Accordingly, on and after the 12th November, United States citizens will be free to travel from any place whatever to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland without the necessity of obtaining a visa, provided that they are furnished with valid United States passports. The competent British officials are being instructed in this sense, and it is proposed to release to the Press a joint Foreign Office and Home Office announcement on the same date. I should be grateful if, on the American side, any announcement of this news could be similarly delayed, so as to allow time for the new procedure to be introduced smoothly. 3. You will appreciate that the abolition of the visa requirement does not exempt United States citizens coming to the United Kingdom from the necessity of complying with the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom concerning the entry, residence (temporary or permanent) and employment or occupation of foreigners, and travellers who are unable to satisfy the immigration authorities that they comply with these laws and regulations are liable to be refused leave to enter or land. 4. I am conveying this information to you in the confident belief that the action we are taking will be for the mutual benefit of our two countries. I would at the same time express the hope of His Majesty's Government that, 308-581-74- -59 as a measure of reciprocity, the United States Government will give the greatest possible relief from United States visa charges and formalities to British subjects who are bona fide non-immigrants within the meaning of the immigration laws of the United States. I have the honour to be with high consideration, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (For Mr. McNeil) ROGER MAKINS Mr. JULIUS C. HOLMES, etc., etc., etc., 1, Grosvenor Square, W. 1. The American Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the Minister No. 3496 SIR: AMERICAN EMBASSY London, November 12, 1948 I have the honor to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the receipt of your note, No. UR 7266/6229/G, dated November 9, 1948, informing me that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has decided, effective November 12, 1948, to abolish the visa requirement for United States citizens travelling to the United Kingdom. The Department of State was informed immediately upon receipt of the note under reference, of this gracious gesture of His Majesty's Government, and the Embassy has now been notified that the United States Government-effective November 12—will grant to British subjects resident in the United Kingdom, in possession of valid British passports, who are eligible to enter the United States as bona fide non-immigrants, gratis passport visas, and in cases of temporary visitors, such visas may be made valid for entries over a period of 24 months, provided the passport concerned remains valid for that period. The same arrangement will be put into effect outside the United Kingdom for British subjects proceeding to the United States as temporary visitors, who are resident within the United Kingdom, but who are temporarily absent therefrom, as soon as American Diplomatic and Consular officers can be notified. Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. The Right Honorable H. MCNEIL, M.P., London, S.W. 1 JULIUS C. HOlmes RELIEF ASSISTANCE Exchange of notes at London December 1, 1948 Entered into force December 1, 1948; paragraphs 3 and 4 operative "so far as practicable" from April 3, 1948 1 Amended by agreement of February 23 and April 7, 1951 1 62 Stat. 3798; Treaties and Other The American Chargé d'Affaires ad interim and the Minister of the Economic Cooperation Administration to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs AMERICAN EMBASSY, LONDON No. 3625 SIR: December 1, 1948 We have the honor to propose that for the purpose of giving effect to Article VI, paragraph 2, read with Article IV, paragraph 5, of the Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America signed on July 6, 1948 3 (hereinafter referred to as the Economic Cooperation Agreement), an agreement shall be made between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States in the following terms: Paragraph 1 The Government of the United Kingdom shall accord duty-free treatment on entry into the United Kingdom of: (a) Supplies of relief goods or standard packs donated to or purchased by United States voluntary non-profit relief agencies qualified under Economic Cooperation Administration (hereinafter referred to as ECA) regulations and consigned to charitable organizations including United Kingdom branches of these agencies which have been or hereafter shall be approved by the Government of the United Kingdom. (b) Relief packages originating in the United States and sent by parcel post or commercial channels addressed to an individual residing in the United Kingdom whether packed privately or by order placed with a commercial firm. (c) Standard packs put up by United States voluntary non-profit relief agencies or their approved agents, qualified under ECA regulations, to the order of individuals in the United States and sent for delivery addressed to individuals residing in the United Kingdom. Paragraph 2 For the purposes of this Agreement: (a) "relief goods" shall not include tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, or alcoholic liquors; (b) "relief packages" shall not include goods other than foodstuffs, discarded apparel, medical supplies, or soap, and shall not exceed 22 lbs. gross weight; and (c) "standard packs" shall contain only such articles which qualify under ECA regulations and are approved by the Government of the United Kingdom. Paragraph 3* Transportation charges (as defined in paragraph 5 of Article IV of the Economic Cooperation Agreement) in the United Kingdom on "relief goods", "relief packages", and "standard packs", which comply with the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 above, shall be defrayed as follows: (a) The amount of terminal charges for shipments which are sent by United States parcel post addressed to individuals in the United Kingdom shall be computed by the United Kingdom postal services in the manner now or hereafter provided by the applicable agreements. Such charges shall be reimbursed to the United Kingdom postal service out of the special account provided for in Article IV of the Economic Cooperation Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the special account) and no claim for such charges shall be made against the United States. (b) With respect to shipments which are originally despatched from the United States by any regular established commercial channels and forwarded in the United Kingdom by an approved agent of the shipper to the addressee by United Kingdom parcel post for delivery as parcels originating in the United Kingdom, such parcels not exceeding 15 lbs. gross weight shall be accepted by United Kingdom parcel post services without payment of postal charges by such agent. The United Kingdom postal service shall be reimbursed for postal charges on such parcels out of the special account upon 'For an amendment to para. 3, see agreement of Feb. 23 and Apr. 7, 1951 (3 UST 2940; TIAS 2473). |