London, June 22, 2005
Ashok Gupta
NRI News: The UK government's new Immigration and
Asylum Bill is expected to include a points-based
system for immigration. The measures, due to be published
on June 22, include fingerprinting of all visa applicants.
There will also be a limited right of appeal for
students, workers and family visitors refused visas.
Ministers hope the proposals will cut down on abuses
in the system.
A shift from a UK work permit system for migrants
to one based on points over five years which is the
major change in approach. Under the new scheme, the
more skills a person has, the more points they will
gain, increasing their likelihood of entry to the
UK. A similar system exists in other industrialised
countries, such as Australia and Canada. It believes
the process is much more transparent and responsive
to the needs of the economy.
Under the points scheme, people applying to work
in the UK will be categorised as highly skilled, skilled,
low skilled, specialists or students.
The Home Office will have the final say over who
is granted entry, although it says it will set up
an independent advisory board which can give accurate
information about where gaps exist in the job market.
There will also be sanctions against overstaying.
People in sectors prone to abuse will be expected
to hand over a financial bond, repayable when they
leave at the end of their visa.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said: "The route
to settlement is through skilled labour. This means
that the more skilled you are, the more likely you
are to be able to stay. Under the proposals, low-skilled
workers will no longer have to stay in the UK - they
will have to leave when their visas expire."
Skilled workers who support themselves financially
will be able to stay permanently after five years,
although they must prove their ability to use English
fluently.
Under the new Immigration law, employers could be
fined £2,000 every time they hire an illegal
immigrant. Fingerprinting of all visa applicants in
3 years’ time
