Tough immigration policy to come into force in UK

NEW DELHI: A new "tough" immigration policy will come into force in UK from February 29, a move that will affect the fate of thousands of Indians settled in that country and those intending to travel there.

The Indians intending to travel to UK will have to qualify under the point-based system that will be operational in this country from April one.

"The regulations will start coming into force from February 29 when any highly-skilled foreign nationals currently working in Britain who want to extend their stay will need to apply under the new system," the British Home Office announcement said.

British Minister of State for Immigration Liam Byrne told reporters here that the new policy is "a fine but tough system" to ensure that unwanted outsiders do not enter UK and settle there.

He claimed it was to make it easier for legitimate travellers and tough for those intending to "cheat the system of immigration".