Pony Up To Visit The Uk?

[LazyGun]

So Nick Clegg is proposing that some visitors from some countries put up some dosh, as yet to be determined, in order to visit the UK..

Do you think this a proposal that would aid the immigration issue?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/paywall-uk-nick-clegg-announces-tough-new-regime-on-visas-8544873.html

[jackthehat]

No.
I think those wishing to enter and stay (i.e. the ones being targetted) will view it as a price worth paying (and sacrificing).

[emmie]

isn't this to do with people settling here...

[LazyGun]

From the article, it suggests that those with visas who overstay their sanctioned period and become illegal immigrants are a significant problem. I am unsure myself whether this would really deter those who are determined to overstay, perhaps for economic reasons, or just deter those who have no intention of breaking the law which could be bad thing for the economy...

[VHG]

I live in the Midlands which has a high immigrant population (from India, Pakistan etc).

These people in the Midlands want to see some local (to India) musicians and dancers so often they invite them over from India to appear in the UK.

So every member of the "band" or dance troupe has to be given a visa.

But often a few "extra" people, who are not in the band or dance troupe, apply for visas at the same time as part of this group of people (maybe fake roadies or fake stage managers or whatever).

So in the end the party of people coming may number say 25 or 30.

But when it is time to go back to India or wherever all of a sudden only 20 people fly back to India, the rest stay here, and overstay their visa.

And as we have so many areas in the Midlands that are almost totally Asian it is very easy for these people to "hide" in these areas and never get found.

Next thing you know they are working, maybe get married, have children, and then we cant ever get rid of them.

Maybe if they had to put up some money "up front" they may be more inclined to go home to get it back.

However if it is only a "small" amount (£1,000 say) some of them may feel it is worth it as they can earn that much in a few months working in the UK.

And as they are not "official" they pay no tax but use the local amenities like doctors, hospitals etc

It seems to me we are fighting a losing battle, and our totally lax immigration policies of the last 20 or 30 years has made it almost impossible for us to find out who is entitled to live here and who isn't.

There are whole areas of Birmingham that are totally Asian, it is very easy for a person to hide out in these areas for years, even decades, and not get caught.

I dont think making people place a "bond" is going to make much difference.

With the population of India over 1 billion, if loads of them keep coming here, I am afraid it is downhill all the way for the next few decades.

[jake-the-peg]

VHG I think you're confusing immigration policy and enforcement - they're very different things

People overstaying visas working on tourist visas etc is not a matter of immigration policy - the policy is fine it's enforcement that's an issue

[Gromit]

UK Tourism brings in £114billion.

It should be a central plank in encouraging growth in our economy.

We should be encouraging even more visitors, not putting obstacles in their way.

Illegal immigration by staying tourists is neglible.

Completely daft idea by the desperate Clegg.

[youngmafbog]

Gromit, they (labour Government) use it very successfully in Australia.

From what I understand it is not for your average tourist but aimed at those who have family or a longer stay than a holiday.

Having said that, I don't believe it will work here because we have lousy enforcement. Until we tighten our borders (and leave the EU and stop subscribing to the ECHR if necessary) then it is pretty pointless doing things like this.

And it wont stop those that come in illegally by the bucket load anyway.

[ludwig]

What Jack said. It's just a tax on illegal immigration. The people who want to be illegals will pay it and carry on as normal.
The only people that might be put off by it are the genuine visa applicants who might well think, sod you then, I'll take my holiday somewhere else.

[anotheoldgit]

Would this mean that competitors and visitors attending sports events in the UK will have to put money up front before arriving on our shores?

I wonder how many stayed in Britain after the Olympics?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2187663/And-race-to-claim-asylum-Four-members-Congos-Olympic-team-missing-Cameroon-boxers-plead-stay-Britain.html

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/story/_/id/8271407/many-african-competitors-stay-britain-weynay-ghebresilasie-seeks-asylum

[pdq1]

I can see where you're coming from VHG. Giving some of these immigrants a visa is no different from issuing them with a British passport. They're here to stay. Nicky-nocky Clegg said recently that illegal immigrants who have lived here for 10 years should be granted an amnesty. Those with visas could easily find sanctuary for that time. If they came from the EU we would be fighting a losing battle to implement it.

If we're really talking about an immigration issue why don't this government copy Australia who choose the immigrants they want who have to be self financing and a job to go to so no burden on the state. Its not too much to ask is it?

[Sqad]

Well....the story so far.......

Legal immigrants arrive and many (no I don't know how many) just disappear.
Illegal immigrants come mainly through the ports and either are not caught, or are indeed caught and then just........disappear.
Seems something wrong here.

How many disappear ? Nobody knows. We have had many threads on this in AB and it seems to vary between a couple of thousand to a couple of hundred thousand and some say well over half a million.

We have a Border Agency and we don't know how many illegal immigrants are "loose" in the UK.

Is Nick Clegg's idea a good one?...No idea, but anything, anything seems better that our chaotic present system.

[Nibble]

The suggestion in the news was that this wouldnt apply to all visitors, only those from what would be categorised as high risk countries. It would seem a huge administrative task for their countries to post a bond with every application to come into the UK - would the other countries want to do it?

[LazyGun]

I think the way the Borders Agency is being run at the moment appears chaotic and catastrophic - no argument with that whatsoever.

I just cannot really see how this sort of scheme will really have any value in preventing illegal overstay. I know it has been considered before and rejected as not really workable....