Question : TIGHTENING OF VISA RULES BY BRITAIN

(a) whether the Government is aware that British Government has tightened the rules governing visa for migrant workers as a result of which unskilled labourers of Indian origin are facing difficulty to stay in Britain

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether a number of doctors, engineers and specialists of Indian origin will also face difficulty in working and residing in Britain;

(d) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to protect the rights of these specialised persons; and

(e) the number of Indian students of Indian origin doing specialised courses in Britain at present?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a)&(b) Yes, sir. A statement giving details of the new visa rules of the British Government is laid on the table of the House.

(c) Doctors, engineers and specialists of Indian origin will not be affected.

(d) Does not arise.

(e) It is not possible to give the exact number of students of Indian origin pursuing specialised course in the UK as ethnicity is not revealed by the UK Government under their statutory law. However, according to statistics obtained from Higher Education Statistics Agency, UK, 12,148 domiciled Indian students in 2002-03 were attending Higher Education Institutions in UK.

Statement with reference to parts (a)&(b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 99 to be answered on 09.03.2005 ` regarding Tightening of Visa Rules by Britain`.

UK citizens of Indian origin enjoy the same rights as all other British citizens and hence proposals published for tightening entry requirements into the UK will not affect them. However, all non-EU citizens, including Indian citizens, in lower skilled categories will be affected once the 5 year strategy for asylum and immigration, `Controlling our borders: making migration work for Britain` published on February 7, 2005, by the British Government - is implemented.

2. This Strategy aims to put in place a system of controls with the stated purpose of ensuring that only those who benefit Britain will be allowed to come, to work or study; to strengthen the UK`s borders; to crack down on abuse and illegal immigration; and increase removals.

3. Key measures in the strategy include points system for those coming in to work or study in the UK, will consist of four new tiers: highly skilled, skilled, low skilled and student/specialist. Points will be allocated according to qualifications, work experience, income and other relevant factors. Points will be adjusted to respond to changes in the labour market.

4. There will be no automatic right to stay in the UK for lower skilled workers. They will have to leave when their visas expire.