UK gov't adopts tougher measures vs visa cheats

MANILA, Philippines - Travelers who have tried or managed to enter the United Kingdom using false documents and other deceptive means face automatic ban, the UK Embassy in Manila said in an advisory on Tuesday.

Visa applicants who have previously violated UK immigration laws by overstaying or working without appropriate documentation will also be banned in Britain for up to 10 years.

The UK embassy said the British government is taking tough measures by changing its immigration rules beginning April 1 to prevent individuals from abusing its hospitality.
It said more than two million people travel to the UK every year and that its government delivers first class customer service to genuine applicants.

“The tough new measures target the minority of individuals who try to abuse the rules," the advisory said.

Under the new rules, all applicants for a UK visa are required to provide fingerscans as part of the application process.

This was designed to determine if they have previously broken the rules in the UK or have made an application in a different name.

“Developments in risk assessment and forgery identification have also made it far easier to uncover the cheats," the advisory said.

The new measures, the embassy said, come as good news for the majority of travelers.

“By quickly identifying who the high-risk applicants are, the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) is also able to quickly identify and welcome legitimate travelers," it pointed out.

“The British government is committed to a firm but fair migration system. It openly encourages and welcomes newcomers, travelers and visitors who want to work hard, play by the rules and who enrich the UK culturally and economically. But it will hold newcomers to account for their actions if they break the rules - whether that is overstaying their visa or attempting fraud or forgery," the advisory stressed.

The new rules were also meant to encourage those currently staying in the UK illegally to leave voluntarily.

Those who would leave voluntarily between March 17 and October 1 will not face automatic ban.

Applicants who have breached UK immigration laws will be banned from coming back for a lengthy period. The length of time will depend on how the individual left the UK after his or her breach of the law- i.e.

• one year if he or she left voluntarily at his or her own expense;
• five years if he or she left voluntarily at public expense; and
• ten years if he or she was removed or deported. - GMANews.TV

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