07 December 2007

UK plans to simplify immigration law

The Home Office has been undertaking consultation about a major legislative programme to simplify the United Kingdom's immigration law. Under the proposed plan a single piece of legislation would replace the ten Immigration Acts which have been enacted since the early 1970s.

Most significantly, the new law will clearly distinguish between temporary and permanent UK residents, setting out exactly what rights people can expect and how they can earn citizenship.

"We are currently undertaking the biggest reform of our immigration system for 40 years," commented borders and immigration minister Liam Byrne.

"Over the next 18 months we will introduce our Australian-style points based system for workers, roll out our e-borders programme to count people in and out of the country and require ID cards for foreign nationals. Our legislation must be able to adapt to these changes and the challenges they bring."

The Border and Immigration Agency has said it wants the new Immigration Bill, which was announced the Queen's Speech at the beginning of November, to be transparent, clear, predictable and to use plain English.

The agency says it has received positive feedback to its consultation.

Anyone interested in getting a better understanding of their current position under UK visa regulations should request a call from a qualified UK Visa Bureau migration consultant to see if they are eligible for migration to the UK, or call direct on Freephone 0800 043 7011. Alternatively, HSMP visa hopefuls should try taking the HSMP online assessment.