New points system for UK visa to be implemented in India from April

people it wanted to migrate since the requirement changed from year to year. “There are two independent monitoring mechanisms to look at the needs of the British economy and assess the impact of migration,” he said. Their inputs would be considered while implementing the policy on migration.

A move to make immigrants deposit hefty cash bonds if relatives wanted to visit them as a guarantee that the visitors would return after the visa expired, has also drawn criticism.

However, Byrne said the authorities had been looking into a suggestion that the bond system only be used in “borderline” cases.

He defended plans to restrict the duration of tourist visas to three months instead of six, saying this is the time most visitors want to stay on for. The Government could look at different kinds of tourist visas, more flexibility in business visas and modernisation of the “family visit” system, he said. Britain’s “comfort level” with migration was very high but there were certain expectations from the visitors like the ability to speak English, pay taxes and obey the law, Byrne, who was here with a delegation to discuss the changes needed, said.

Changes that are being put in place will make it tougher for illegal immigrants to enter. He also warned against violating the law.

“There are tougher rules for those who cheat during applying for work permits, they could face a ban of upto 10 years on applying again,” Byrne said.