Britain To Scrap Post-Study Work Visa Program
London: Given the economic woes faced by the Western countries and the high levels of unemployment, the free for all immigration policies of the past may be just that – a thing of the past. In a move bound to create ripples, Britain has announced a shift of focus in its immigration policy which now seeks to welcome only those non-EU immigrants “who add to the quality of life” barring others with a low income potential.
Two proposals outlined in a major speech by Immigration Minister Damian Green are likely to affect professionals and migrants.
The government has already announced its intention to scrap the Post-Study Work visa for non-EU students, which has been popular among Indians and is currently in force in Canada.
Non-EU professionals whose annual income at the end of mandatory five years work and stay in the UK is less than 31,000 pounds will need to return to their countries of origin. Only those with an income higher than this will be allowed to stay here permanently.
Secondly, British citizens and residents who seek to marry foreign spouses need to show an annual income of around 25,000 pounds before they can bring their spouses here.
The objective is to stop such foreign spouses seeking financial support from the state. The speech has already come under fire for allegedly focussing on “wealthy immigrants”, and preventing young Britons with origins in the Indian sub-continent with limited income from marrying spouses from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries.
In the speech at Police Exchange think-tank, Green said he wanted to build a “national consensus” around immigration, adding: “Importing economic dependency on the state is unacceptable. Bringing people to this country who can play no role in the life of this country is equally unacceptable.”
Related stories:
Short URL: http://www.weeklyvoice.com/?p=12475
