news today 14/03/08
UK introduces toughest immigration system
The British government introduces the toughest immigration processes in 45 years with a point-based system to ensure only the best can work in the UK, licenses for businesses who want to employ overseas workers and on-the-spot fines for those to be found hiring illegal workers, reports UNB.
"We''re now introducing processes based on an Australian-style Points Based System, which are clear and objective. These processes are backed up with technology such as biometrics - the taking of fingerprints and digital photographs… We now know who we want to come to Britain and who we don''t," acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman Thursday told a seminar on UK Visa at Lake Shore Hotel. Norman said the British government has also introduced a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK.
"No company will be granted a sponsor''s licence without being approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency," he said, adding that employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.
The British envoy said the government is also taking steps to target rogue employers through new legislation in the Employment Bill. The Bill proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying workers the minimum wage and agencies, which exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.
He said this year would also see the establishment of a new UK Border Agency to ensure the UK has one of the toughest borders in the world.
Norman said further measures include the introduction of a new system to count people in and out of the UK and ID cards to strengthen the UK border and help keep out those who do not have the right to be here.
Head of Visa Services Jonathan Verney, Director, UK Trade and Investment Kevin Ringham, Entry Clearance Officer Hasina Rahman and other officials of the Visa Department of the High Commission spoke at the seminar and made presentation of how unscrupulous visa seekers and recruiting agents resort to fraudulent practices in getting UK visas.
Norman said the relationship with Bangladesh is very important to Britain. People travel between the two countries to do business, to visit relatives or to utilise their skills in a new country. And Migrants benefit Britain economically, contributing an estimated £6bn to UK''s national output, as well as socially and culturally.
He said, "It''s right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled."
Head of Immigration Jonathan Verney said the point-based scheme is designed to attract the most talented with the skills the UK needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business and technological innovation.
Quoting British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, he said the introduction of the Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come.
Vernye said some lobbyists are trying to convince the government to bring unskilled workforce from overseas, which he said would not be successful.
He said under the new rules anyone who has just used deception when applying for a visa will have any future applications to come here refused for 10 years.
The British Visa officials, speaking at the seminar, showed how unscrupulous applicants used forged passports, bank certificates and educational documents to get visas.
The officials said they are working with close cooperation with Bangladesh law enforcers, including the Special Branch, to detect the forgery and bring the frauds to the book.
They said 70 to 80 percent applicants were found using fake bank documents. In the next 11 months, 62 people who abused the immigration system will be deported.
At the seminar, the British High Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce to provide a fast-track visa processing service for the members of the Chamber.
"We''re now introducing processes based on an Australian-style Points Based System, which are clear and objective. These processes are backed up with technology such as biometrics - the taking of fingerprints and digital photographs… We now know who we want to come to Britain and who we don''t," acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman Thursday told a seminar on UK Visa at Lake Shore Hotel. Norman said the British government has also introduced a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK.
"No company will be granted a sponsor''s licence without being approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency," he said, adding that employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.
The British envoy said the government is also taking steps to target rogue employers through new legislation in the Employment Bill. The Bill proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying workers the minimum wage and agencies, which exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.
He said this year would also see the establishment of a new UK Border Agency to ensure the UK has one of the toughest borders in the world.
Norman said further measures include the introduction of a new system to count people in and out of the UK and ID cards to strengthen the UK border and help keep out those who do not have the right to be here.
Head of Visa Services Jonathan Verney, Director, UK Trade and Investment Kevin Ringham, Entry Clearance Officer Hasina Rahman and other officials of the Visa Department of the High Commission spoke at the seminar and made presentation of how unscrupulous visa seekers and recruiting agents resort to fraudulent practices in getting UK visas.
Norman said the relationship with Bangladesh is very important to Britain. People travel between the two countries to do business, to visit relatives or to utilise their skills in a new country. And Migrants benefit Britain economically, contributing an estimated £6bn to UK''s national output, as well as socially and culturally.
He said, "It''s right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled."
Head of Immigration Jonathan Verney said the point-based scheme is designed to attract the most talented with the skills the UK needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business and technological innovation.
Quoting British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, he said the introduction of the Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come.
Vernye said some lobbyists are trying to convince the government to bring unskilled workforce from overseas, which he said would not be successful.
He said under the new rules anyone who has just used deception when applying for a visa will have any future applications to come here refused for 10 years.
The British Visa officials, speaking at the seminar, showed how unscrupulous applicants used forged passports, bank certificates and educational documents to get visas.
The officials said they are working with close cooperation with Bangladesh law enforcers, including the Special Branch, to detect the forgery and bring the frauds to the book.
They said 70 to 80 percent applicants were found using fake bank documents. In the next 11 months, 62 people who abused the immigration system will be deported.
At the seminar, the British High Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce to provide a fast-track visa processing service for the members of the Chamber.
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