UK tightens norms on Illegal Immigrants

LONDON, March 29, 2007: While simplifying rules for legitimate travelers entering UK, Britain announced new Visa policy that makes entering UK tougher for illegal immigrants. While announcing new policy, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, at a press conference, apprised that by the end of 2008, travelers from most countries would be issued biometric visas with their finger prints to be matched with the data base.

He hoped this would have significant effect on number of illegal entrants in the country as this would contribute to protecting borders as well as contribute to economic betterment of the Britain. Announcing plans for major re-hash of immigration policies, he said that UK plans to introduce US type of Visa Waiver Program where by it would be able to deny entry to unwanted people before they could arrive while issuing ID cards to make it simpler for legitimate foreign travelers.

UK, through recent amendments in immigration policy, has also made it tougher for those planning to move here through marriage route with most of the marriage being, “accommodation marriages” to gain entry into UK. UK has increased the minimum age of sponsors and the person sponsored to 21. This, UK feels, would discourage forced marriages. It has also made mandatory some basic knowledge of English to ensure that those entering Britain for settling here has the skills to participate both socially and economically. People in the UK will now be required to vouch for their family member. This would also help in identifying people who passively assist antisocial elements entering UK.