Securing the United Kingdom border
Through the introduction of a visa waiver programme, we will create a strengthened border control. We will also overhaul visitor visas - including consulting on tougher sanctions for sponsors of family visas, consulting on requiring English for spouses, tightening marriage visas, and installing technology at United Kingdom ports to record biometrics of non-EEA citizens without visas.
The strategy creates a system of triple checks for foreign nationals:
- By the end of 2008 half the countries in the world, covering three-quarters of the world's population, will all need biometric visas with their fingerprints checked against the United Kingdom Government database, before travelling to the United Kingdom.
- From 2009 the majority of people will be counted in and out of the United Kingdom.
- ID cards for foreign nationals will help ensure only those who are entitled to them gain access to work and benefits.
Last Updated: 07 February 2008