Posted by Chinwe Ochu in Abuja on
British Government has decided to increase the age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa from 18 to 21, from the end of this month.
British Government has decided to increase the age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa from 18 to 21, from the end of this month.
According to a statement released by the British High Commission yesterday 'from 27 November, both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa can be issued. Raising the age is just one part of government's work to crackdown on forced marriage and on those who attempt to abuse the marriage visa route.'
Border and Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas, said 'it is important that we protect vulnerable young people and this measure will help to avoid exploitation."
The statement said changes being made to the marriage visa route are part of a package of measures being brought in to deliver the biggest shake-up to immigration and border security in 45 years.
As part of the shake- up in the British Immigration system, the Home Office has helped businesses to prepare for the go-live of Tiers two and five of the points system on 27 November, 'by publishing detailed guidance on the two tiers. Under these tiers which cover skilled and temporary workers - employers will be held accountable for the workers they bring into the country, with a new sponsorship scheme holding businesses responsible for those they employ.'
Woolas said, "the point's system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come and no more. It is also flexible, allowing us to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of business and taking population trends into account.
'Had the system been in place last year, there would have been 12 per cent fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route,' he said, adding that Tier Two of the points system will ensure that British job seekers get the first shot at jobs and only those foreign workers we need will be able to come to the UK.
Under this tier, companies must pass the Resident Labour Market test by proving they cannot fill the post with a resident worker before they can bring in someone from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).