The UK government is set to reduce the number of visitor visa routes from 15 to 4.
The authority are of the opinion that
the overhaul will make the system easier to understand, and will affect
all those visiting the UK from April, whether for business or leisure.
The new range of visitor visas they
claimed carry greater flexibility for the people using them and will be
accompanied by redesigned user-friendly guidance to make the process of
visiting Britain simpler than ever.
The changes will affect all those
wishing to visit the UK from April 2015– from business and tourism
visitors to sportspeople and entertainers.
Home secretary Theresa May said “These
further reforms to the immigration system are part of our work to
demonstrate to the rest of the world that Britain remains open for
business and that visitors are always welcome in the UK, whether they
come for leisure or work”.
Policy and entry requirements are not
being changed – but the rules and guidance are being simplified so
people do not unwittingly fall foul of the immigration visitor rules.
For example, a person can visit for business meetings and a holiday and will not need to apply for two separate visas.
The four new visa routes will be:
- Visitor (standard).
- Visitor (to hold marriage or civil partnership).
- Visitor undertaking permitted paid engagements.
- Visitors transiting the UK
New Exit Checks to be introduced
From April, exit checks will also be
introduced and enforced. This UK government says will enable it for the
first time determines who has complied with the length of their visa.
As well as identifying individuals who
have remained illegally, exit checks will provide valuable information
on the sorts of immigration routes and visas that are most subject to
abuse — enabling them to target and tighten those routes.
Student Visa
n addition to the plans outlined above,
the government is changing the student visitor route into a new
short-term study route that is conceptually clearer for people who want
to study short courses in the UK.
At the same time visitors will be
allowed to do up to 30 days’ incidental study (which is currently
restricted to business visitors and tourists).
The new rules will be laid in Parliament on February 26th before coming into effect from April.
