Britain plans to propose restrictions on millions of people coming to the UK on temporary visas every year from outside the European Union.
LONDON: In a fresh attempt to tighten the immigration law, Britain plans to propose restrictions on millions of people coming to the UK on temporary visas every year from outside the European Union, including those who take advantage of a system of "sponsored family visits."
Families with temporary visas who "sponsor" visits of their relatives abroad may have to put up a cash bond - possibly of 1,000 pounds - before their visitors are allowed in. The move is also set to see the ordinary tourist visa having its limit halved from six months to three months.
The plan will potentially affect those coming to Britain on temporary visas every year from outside the European Union, including Indians.
"Over the next 12 months we will see the biggest shake-up of the immigration system in its history. The final front, I believe, is foreign visitor routes where change is needed," Immigration Minister Liam Byrne told The Sunday Telegraph.
The crackdown comes as Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Government seeks to regain the political initiative, following a series of crises over the past few months which have seen Labour's support plunge in the opinion polls. One survey has put the party 11 points behind the Conservatives.
The Prime Minister and senior ministers intend to use the issue of immigration and plans for stronger borders as part of a New Year initiative to outflank the Tories, who they claim are weak on the matter.
Earlier this year, Byrne announced plans to streamline the system of allowing foreign visitors into Britain from outside the EU into just four categories of visas: tourist, business, student and sponsored family visit. Only the new student category has come into force.
Byrne is now tightening the sponsored family visit option, proposing it should be available only to British citizens who have full residency in the UK. The sponsor would in effect be fined the amount of the bond, should family visitors overstay their time in Britain or breach the terms of their visas.
Ministers originally proposed such a system in March but it was rejected after strong protests from immigration rights groups.
The Government is now proposing bringing the bond measure back as part of the wide-ranging consultation exercise. The right of appeal against any decision by immigration authorities not to allow a visa could also be scaled back or withdrawn altogether.
Home Office immigration figures show some 12.9 million people came into Britain temporarily last year, up more than 2.5 million over 10 years.
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