British Government New Rules For Immigration

[BIG SPUDS]

Last night heard on the radio/tv, that the british government are making plans to cut down on illegal immigrants, asylum seekers and make it harder to obtain settlement in the UK.

They said they may introduce a points system similar to OZ, and would only let in individuals that would benifit the economy of the Uk. ie those with good jobs

Know i know politicians blabble on and on, however i am a little worried.

Those of you who read my posts will know i am currently waiting for the 28th of march. The date of my thai GF's settlement visa interview date, to come and get married in the UK.

Am i right to be a little worried that now things could be harder than they previously were?

I admit i know diddly squat about politics. So i have a few questions.

1. Will this affect me and the GF as she is coming to the uk to marry me?

2. does any one know how the screening process for visas will change?

3. if it does get difficult, if i marry in thailand, and return to the uk alone and retry for the visa will it be easier because she is my wife?

Oh so many questions............ Am i worrying for nothing???????????

Anyone that knows any info on this subject please say so.

Will it affect things for us?

[Rinrada]

Bit of Info on proposals from the Mirror.(with thanks ) ..abridged

also full text ...some light reading

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/ho...ur_borders.html

BLAIR'S HARD LINE ON IMMIGRATION Feb 8 2005

By Oonagh Blackman Political Editor

LABOUR launched tighter yesterday with a warning that the nation's "traditional tolerance" was being tested by abuses.

In a blunt summing-up of a planned , Tony Blair said: "I am in favour of taking out those we don't need for our economy and taking in those we do need."

Only skilled workers will be admitted - if they speak English and pass a "Britishness test", said Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

Successful asylum seekers will have to wait five years before being allowed to settle permanently. Removal of those rejected will be speeded up. Firms will get £2,000 on-the-spot fines for using illegals.

An Australian-style points system will screen work and student migrants, with no right of appeal. It will start "sooner, rather than later".

It will have four tiers, divided by qualifications, work experience, income and other factors.

The highly skilled in Tier One - doctors, engineers and IT specialists - will be the only group allowed in without a job offer.

Low skilled workers will be admitted only to fill specific vacancies for fixed periods, with guarantees that they will then leave.

The major shift from Labour underlines its jitters as immigration tops voters' election concerns.

Mr Blair said in an introduction to the blueprint that Britain would be "poorer in every way" without centuries of immigration.

"But this traditional tolerance is under threat...from those who come and live here illegally by breaking our rules and abusing our hospitality.

"Unless we act to tackle abuses, it could be increasingly exploited by extremists to promote their perverted view of race." Mr Clarke - sounding less hardline than the PM - said asylum applications were being cut, but it would be a tough battle to "build confidence".

New fees will be levied for immigration applications.

Standard requests for leave to stay will be £335.

The charges - from £25 to £500 - should save taxpayers £170million next year.

THE KEY CHANGES

Low skilled migrants not allowed to settle.

Skilled workers to speak English and pass "Britishness test".

More asylum seekers will be held in detention centres to speed up cases.

More asylum applicants will be tagged and forced to report regularly.

Immigrants fingerprinted to ensure they leave when visa expires.

Removal of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers to be stepped up.

Points system to make it easier for highly skilled migrants to work.

£2,000 on-the-spot fines for bosses using illegal staff.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/tm_ob...-name_page.html

[BIG SPUDS]

still doesnt answer my question though does it?

[The_Moog]

Marry her in Thailand.

Don't marry in UK while she is on a tourist visa then try to change her status. Home Office hates that.

If she says that she's coming to marry & applies for a tourist visa - big problem

If its a genuine marriage, then she'll get her settlement visa. These new regs won't influence it.

[Rinrada]

Marry her in Thailand.

Don't marry in UK while she is on a tourist visa then try to change her status. Home Office hates that.

If she says that she's coming to marry & applies for a tourist visa - big problem

If its a genuine marriage, then she'll get her settlement visa.  These new regs won't influence it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would tend to agree with said reply.

Assuming your future wifes application for her settlement visa is successful...and no reason to believe not then you will have no problem.

These new rules are proposed to cut down on "illegals" not in your case genunine applications.

Re Dont marry on a Tourist (like I did some new rules as posted earlier by Scouser.....

Also on another point.

Getting married and then obtaining your Indefinate V is only the first step to Citizenship...then the real work starts. ...

Getting married in the UK?

New rules from 1st February 2005

A brief summary:

From 1 February 2005, people who are subject to immigration control who wish to marry in the United Kingdom (UK) must either:

Hold entry clearance as a fiancé/e or marriage visitor, ..this is the one that YOU want...

or

Hold a Home Office certificate of approval, or

Be a person with settled status in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain)

People who are subject to immigration control will also be required:

to give notice to marry to a registrar at one of 76 designated register offices in England and Wales. They must attend the register office together.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, all register offices are designated.

Notice to marry is normally given by post.

These provisions do not apply to anyone who has already given notice to marry to a registrar before 1 February 2005.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/ho...married_in.html?

[samran]

Spuds,

You'll be fine. Marrying your GF and bringing her to the UK is legal migration and there were no proposals to change the system in this area, so you won't be affected.

[BIG SPUDS]

thanks all!!!!!

You put my mind to rest,

Its not a Visitor visa were going for (give up on that waste of time) its settlement.

With the intention to marry.

Thanks again.

PS Rinrada, when i said that doesnt answer my question, i didnt mean you i meant the new rules.

[BIG SPUDS]

ive been told there is an increase in visa fees, as from april. Anyone know if this applies to settlement visa and how much.

Should my Gf be refused at the end of march would we have to pay again?

[Rinrada]

Before ye go-Leave

as they say cut it out and keep in a safe palce...

Entry Clearance Fees - Thai Baht With effect from : 20/01/05

Category - Thai Baht

Visit (standard) 2,700.00

Student 2,700.00

Visit (multiple entry) 2 years 5,250.00

Visit (multiple entry) 5 years 6,600.00

Visit (multiple entry) 10 years 11,250.00

Settlement in UK 19,500.00

Employment (6 months + under) 2,700.00

Employment (over 6 months) 5,625.00

Certificate of Entitlement 8,250.00

Working Holiday Maker 2,700.00

Commonwealth charge 1,650.00

Fees are usually payable in local currency and are subject to periodic review.

They are charged to cover the cost of processing an Visa application forms.

If an application is refused, the fee is not refundable.

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/F...d=1065721607443

and if you are here.......(incl Volunteers )

Entry Clearance Fees (01/07/02)

All the fees below are quoted in pounds sterling, but are usually payable in local currency. Contact your nearest British mission overseas to find out the equivalent fee currently being charged and methods of payment accepted.

Category-UK Pounds

Visit (standard)-36.00

Visit (multiple entry) 1 year-60.00

Visit (multiple entry) 2 years-70.00

Visit (multiple entry) 5 years-88.00

Visit (multiple entry) 10 years-150.00

Medical Treatment-36.00

Student (irrespective of length of stay)-36.00

Visitor in Transit-36.00

Direct Airside Transit-27.00

EC Association Agreement-75.00

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)-75.00

Joining Ship/Aircraft-36.00

Work Permit (6 months or under)-36.00

Work Permit (over 6 months)-75.00

"Employment" (6 months or under)-36.00

"Employment" (over 6 months)-75.00

Self-Employed (6 months or under)-36.00

Self-Employed (over 6 months)-75.00

Establish Business-75.00

Retired Person of Independent Means-75.00

Investor-75.00

Voluntary Worker (6 months or under)-36.00

Voluntary Worker (over 6 months)-75.00

UK Grandparent-75.00

Working Holidaymaker-36.00

Au Pair-36.00

Husband/Wife-260.00

Child for Settlement (inc. adoption)-260.00

Family Reunion (sponsors with ELR only)-75.00

Marriage (i.e. fiance(e)s)-260.00

Certificate of Entitlement-110.00

Sole Representative-75.00

Returning Resident-36.00

Entry Clearance for a Commonwealth Country-22.00

Entry Clearance for an Overseas Territory-22.00

European Economic Area (EEA) & Swiss Family Permit

Free of charge

Dependants are charged the same fee as that paid by the main applicant with whom their application is connected. All dependants who are travelling must pay the appropriate fee whether or not they are included in the main applicant's passport.

Fees are usually payable in local currency and are subject to periodic review.

They are charged to cover the cost of processing an application.

If an application is refused, the fee is not refundable.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/ho.../pre-entry.html

[GU22]

The proposed increases do not apply to the initial visa fees, which remain at the current £260 (payable in local currency) for a settlement visa. The new fees are for FLR, ILR etc.

The old fees for FLR and ILR are £155 by post or £250 in person.

The proposed new fees are £335 by post or £500 in person!

A massive and totally unfair increase in what is already an extortionate fee!

The initial visa fee is for processing the application. So, if she is refused and wants to apply again then she will have to pay again.

I'm a newbie here, so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

A good source of advice and support for Thais and their partners seeking advice on UK visas, or life in the UK generally, is Thailand-UK

Edited February 10, 2005 by GU22