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THE
British government has adopted a stricter visa policy
that requires foreigners who sponsor visa applications
of their relatives to face sanctions, including jail
sentence, if their relatives fail to return home before
the visa expiration.
The
British Embassy in Manila announced the new visa rules
along with the program granting short-term, low-cost
visas for group travel and one-off special events, such
as the Edinburgh festival and the 2012 London Olympics.
“If
sponsors fail in their duties, they face a ban on
bringing new entrants to the UK, and penalties of up to
£5,000 or a jail sentence,” said the announcement of the
British embassy in Manila.
It also
added that the new system includes separate visas for
sportspeople and entertainers, and a clear and distinct
visa category for business visitors. Under the new
rules, the maximum stay for visitors to the UK remains
at six months.
Although
part of the European Union, the United Kingdom does not
implement the common Schengen visa policy and maintains
its own visa system.
British
Minister for Border and Immigration Liam Byrne said the
new visa system seeks to institutionalize fairness in
the grant of visas to all visitors traveling to Britain.
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