HOME OFFICE News
Release (186/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 4
November 2008
The age at which
someone can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21
from the end of this month, the Government announced today.
From 27 November both parties in a marriage will have to be 21
before a marriage visa can be issued. Raising the age is just one
part of the Government's work to crackdown on forced marriage
and on those who attempt to abuse the marriage visa route.
Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:
"It is
important that we protect vulnerable young people and this measure
will help avoid exploitation".
The changes being made to the marriage visa route are part of a
package of measures being brought in today to deliver the biggest
shake-up to immigration and border security in 45 years.
Also today, the Home Office helped businesses to prepare for the
go-live of Tiers 2 and 5 of the points system on 27 November by
publishing detailed guidance on the two tiers. Under these tiers -
which cover skilled and temporary workers - employers will be held
accountable for the workers they bring into the country, with a
new sponsorship scheme holding businesses responsible for those
they employ.
Mr Woolas said:
"The points system means only the
migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more. It
is also flexible, allowing us to raise or lower the bar according
to the needs of business and taking population trends into account.
"Had the system been in place last year there would have
been 12 per cent fewer people coming in to work through the
equivalent work permit route."
Tier 2 of the points system will ensure that British jobseekers
get the first shot at jobs and only those foreign workers we need
will be able to come to the UK. Under this tier companies must
pass the Resident Labour Market test by proving they cannot fill
the post with a resident worker before they can bring in someone
from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Government proposed raising the
marriage visa age from 18 to 21 in "Marriage Visas: The Way
Forward", which can be found at the following link: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/closedconsultations/preentryenglishrequirement/marriagevisasthewayforward.pdf?view=Binary
2. The Guidance for businesses on Tiers 2 and 5 can be found
here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managingborders/managingmigration/apointsbasedsystem/
3. The Home Office today also announced that from 27 November the
new business and special visitor route will be operating. The
Statement of Intent for Business and Special Visitor Visas can be
found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/businessandspecialvisitors/statementofintent.pdf
4. For any employer who breaks the rules and employs foreign
nationals who have no right to work in the UK, the outcome is
clear - huge fines are already being handed out by the UK Border
Agency. This year's much tougher enforcement campaign has
already issued over 1,000 fines worth around £9.7 million.
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