New proposals to reform the immigration rules for visitors
On 18/12/07 the Borders and Immigration Agency (‘BIA') published a consultation paper proposing changes to the immigration rules for visitors to the UK. This paper follows proposals which were set out in an earlier paper, ‘Securing the UK Border', which was published in March 2007.
The proposals include the introduction of new categories of visitor, as well as categories which bring together existing types of visitors set out variously within and outside the current immigration rules.
The main proposals include a reduction of the maximum period of leave from six to three months. The BIA relies on evidence which indicates that only a very small proportion of visitors stay for three months or more.
Further the BIA proposes a specific category for those seeking to visit family members in which the sponsor will be required to submit documentary evidence and a statement of intent regarding their ability to maintain the visitor. Sponsors could be expected to ensure that their family visitor complies with the conditions of their visa, by giving assurances that the family visitor would not work illegally; would not use the National Health Service for non-emergency medical treatment, and would leave the UK at the end of their stay.
Ways in which it is suggested that sponsors provide this assurance include providing a general statement of intent, a written statement signed in the presence of a solicitor, and submitting a financial security. The BIA has not indicated the amount of the proposed financial security.
It is also proposed to revise the right of appeal which those refused a visa to visit a family member currently enjoy.
Other proposals include:
- A shorter term visa for groups of tourists - available to those groups who already hold visas for the Schengen area
- An events visitor visa - time-limited and branded to the event - enabling people to travel to the UK to watch specific major events such as the Olympics or the Edinburgh Festival
- A business visitor visa for those who wish to transact business, and a special visitor visa to include clinical attachments, dental observers, permit-free performers, film-crews, and doctors taking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test
- A sub-category of special visitor to include eg academic visitors, and those seeking private medical treatment
It is not proposed to make any changes to the student visitor category which was introduced recently on 1/9/07.
The consultation period runs until 10/3/08 and the paper is available to view on the BIA's website.