UK Immigration Controls Move To Europe

On 1st October 2004, an agreement between the UK and Belgian Governments was signed, moving full UK immigration controls on Eurostar trains from London to Europe.

The agreement builds on an earlier deal with Belgium and France and extends UK immigration controls to all Eurostar trains leaving from Belgium’s Midi station with effect from the end of October 2004.

This then, together with the existing agreement with the French Government, moves all UK immigration controls on Eurostar passengers from London Waterloo to Belgium, France and Holland.

Immigration Officers will employ hi-tech scanning equipment to enforce their powers and will be able to stop individuals with false, stolen or inadequate documents, or those who do not have permission to enter the UK, before they can board the train to Britain.

As the immigration controls in Brussels become fully operational, immigration officers will cease to operate at London’s Waterloo station.