08 October 2008

Vaz: no quota for British immigration

Keith Vaz, Labour MP from Leicester East, is in India conducting a review into the new points-based system for UK immigration, and has told reporters that despite common perception there will be no cap on the number of people allowed to migrate to the United Kingdom.

According to the Times Online, the new Minister for Immigration Phil Woolas said the focus of his appointment would be to tighten and toughen immigration laws so that community cohesion and population numbers can remain under control.

However, Sindhtoday.net reports Mr Vaz has reassured the Indian community the numbers of people allowed to migrate to the UK will not be subject to a quota system.

"There is a wrong perception that the new system will cap the number of migrants, but that’s totally untrue. May be we need to publicise the system more," said Vaz, who is also Chairman of the British parliament’s Home Affairs select committee, which initiated the inquiry in June.

India was the first country to have the new system implemented on 01 April 2008, in which migrants are now classified under five tiers.  While Tier 1 for highly skilled migrants has been introduced, Tier 2 and Tier 5 (skilled migrants and temporary workers) will go live in November this year.  Tier 4 for students will begin early next year.

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The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in UK visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, UK Visa Bureau.