Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 62 Part 3.djvu/1203

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [62 STAT. November, 12 , 1948 Agreement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom IT.I. A. .1926] of Great Britain and Northern Ireland respecting passport visa fees. Effected by exchange of notes signed at London November 9 and 12, 1948; entered into force November 12, 1948. The British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to the American Charge d'Affaires ad interim FOREIGN OFFICE, S. W. 1. No. UR 7266/6229/G 9th November, 1948. SIR, 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 neces- sity 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 King- dom 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, 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 3824

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