LAGOS, Nigeria — The British Home Office confirms it will demand a 3,000-pound ($4,350) refundable bond for visas for “high-risk” visitors from six former colonies in Africa and Asia.
A statement Monday says Britain will go ahead with the pilot scheme which has caused outrage, charges of discrimination and warnings of retaliation and that the move will hurt trade.
The statement sent by email did not say when the pilot would start. It said if the scheme is successful Britain would like to apply the bond “on an intelligence-led basis on any visa route and any country.”
The countries affected are Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Britain’s Home Office said it hopes the bond system deters overstaying of visas and recovers costs of foreign nationals using public services.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130729/britain-visas/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage
This might make attendance on Jalsa UK difficult for many. As the scheme has not yet started better go for this year’s Jalsa!!!!
More details in this article:
http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/international/uk-visa-britian-confirms-3-000-cash-bond-from-india_80799.html
I must say that I am surprised that no readers from the six nations have ‘complained’ about the new restrictions. Do you all have no problems to come up with a 3000 Pounds bond?