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New British visa rules to affect Indians

March 17, 2005 15:10 IST
The government on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that all non-EU citizens, including Indians, in lower skilled categories would be affected once the new visa rules are implemented by the British government.

The five-year strategy for immigration and asylum system titled 'Controlling our borders: making migration work for Britain' is meant to enforce strict controls to root out abuse and illegal immigration, strengthen the UK's borders and increase removals, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said.

Giving details of the new visa rules, he said key measures in the strategy include introduction of a point system for selection of those wanting to enter the UK for work or study.

Ahamed said points would be allocated according to qualifications, work experience, income and other relevant factors like local availability of UK or EU workforce.

He also said there would be no automatic right to stay in the UK for lower skilled workers and they would have to leave when their visas expire.

The Minister said four tiers - highly skilled, skilled, low skilled and student/specialist - have been created.
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