The British Home Office announced Tuesday a new entry clearance requirement for people coming to Britain for more than six months.

Tony McNulty, minister of state for the Home Office, said that from 13 November 2005, all nationals from non-European Economic Area (EEA) member states who wish to come to Britain for more thansix months will need to obtain an entry clearance from a British diplomatic mission before traveling.

A one-off cost of five pounds will enable the traveler, once entry clearance has been obtained, to stay for the full period without having to apply for a residence permit, said the minister.

The new rules have been introduced in stages over a two-year period. The first stage came into effect on 13 November 2003, and involved the ten nationalities which make up Britain's largest customers in terms of travelers who stay in Britain for more than six months.

The people to be affected are from more than 50 countries and regions, including Bolivia, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Costa Rica, Brunei, East Timor, Andorra, Greenland, Macau and Taiwan of China, Grenada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Israel, and Malawi.

British nationals living overseas and other categories of British nationals without the right of abode in Britain will continue to be able to travel without prior entry clearance and apply for clearance on arrival.

As with the first phase, there will be a "grace period" which will operate until 13 January 2006 during which time any passengerarriving at a British port who qualifies for entry but who does not have the necessary entry clearance will be admitted.

Changes to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliamentin the autumn.

A spokesperson from the Home Office denied that the rule is a security measure related to the terrorist attacks on London, saying this is the second phase of the changes to immigration control introduced two years ago which aimed at countering fraudulent documentation.

According to the Home Office, the rule won't make it more difficult for people to travel to Britain, since applying for entry clearance before travel will be cheaper, and more convenient. The procedure on arrival will be simpler. There will also be no need to apply for a Residence Permit in-country unless the traveler needs to extend or change the status of his/her stay in Britain.