Demand for UK visas up

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The demand from Sri Lankans for UK visa has increased considerably during the recent past . Although the applicants have to go through a vigorous visa procedure things will be much more methodical with the forthcoming changes to UK immigration law which will include a point based visa system, Sri Lanka Director Newlandchase , UK based Immigration Consultant Moditha de Costa said.

At a seminar on UK Visa held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel recently, he said that the point based system will eliminate the shortcomings in a face to face visa interview system. UK is the most popular destination for migrants to Europe and UK ,and overall European economy is experiencing significant growth.

Advisor on global immigration issues Kathrya Pragnell elaborating on visa categories said that persons seeking to enter the UK as a visitor could do so under eight sub categories as business visitor, tourist, marriage visitor, child visitor, student visitor, private medical treatment and parent of child at school.

She said the working holiday maker scheme is an arrangement where a commonwealth citizen aged between 17 and 30 could go to the UK for an extended holiday up to two years.

Work permits, Business and highly skilled candidates are the other categories . Work permits allow a person to go to UK to work for an employer.

In order to qualify for a work permit one should have a UK equivalent degree level qualification or other given qualifications. Pragnell explained that under the business category, a business person can qualify to enter the UK for business investment or retirement. They are (Tier one) entrepreneur, investor, sole representatives and retired persons of independent means.

Meanwhile, Tier 1 (General) has replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme from 30 June 2008.