Visa Bond Scheme

The year 2013 saw positive momentum in India-UK ties with Prime Minister David Cameron leading not one but two delegations to India within months to strengthen bilateral relations though actions like a visa bond scheme conflicted with these initiatives.

The British government was planning to pilot a scheme starting November that would require Indians and citizens of some other countries to deposit close to 3000 pounds if they chose to enter the UK on a tourist or visitor visa.

Britain has indicated to India that there is no move to finalise the controversial 3,000 pounds visa bond scheme for Indians soon, a senior Indian diplomat said in London yesterday.

The split within Britain's Conservative-led coalition government over the controversial 3,000 pounds visa bond scheme, which would affect visitors from certain countries including India, has been further exposed with deputy prime minister opposing the move.

Britain's Home Office confirmed Monday it will demand a 3,000-pound ($4,630 or Rs 2.75 lakh) refundable bond for visas for "high-risk" visitors from six former colonies in Africa and Asia - a pilot scheme that has brought warnings at home and abroad that it will damage trade.

The United Kingdom (UK) today said that the final decision on the pilot scheme of seeking a Rs 2.75 lakh cash bond from citizens of at least six countries including India for a visa has not been taken yet. This is after India voiced its strong protests over the proposed move.

The UK government's plan to introduce a controversial new visa bond scheme was termed as "unfair and discriminatory" by senior politicians and the Indian Industry.

Britain confirmed on Monday that Indian visitors deemed to pose a "high risk" of overstaying their visas would need to provide a cash bond, but stressed the new scheme would only involve a small number of people.

The year 2013 saw positive momentum in India-UK ties with Prime Minister David Cameron leading not one but two delegations to India within months to strengthen bilateral relations though actions like a visa bond scheme conflicted with these initiatives.

The British government was planning to pilot a scheme starting November that would require Indians and citizens of some other countries to deposit close to 3000 pounds if they chose to enter the UK on a tourist or visitor visa.

Britain has indicated to India that there is no move to finalise the controversial 3,000 pounds visa bond scheme for Indians soon, a senior Indian diplomat said in London yesterday.

The split within Britain's Conservative-led coalition government over the controversial 3,000 pounds visa bond scheme, which would affect visitors from certain countries including India, has been further exposed with deputy prime minister opposing the move.

Britain's Home Office confirmed Monday it will demand a 3,000-pound ($4,630 or Rs 2.75 lakh) refundable bond for visas for "high-risk" visitors from six former colonies in Africa and Asia - a pilot scheme that has brought warnings at home and abroad that it will damage trade.

The United Kingdom (UK) today said that the final decision on the pilot scheme of seeking a Rs 2.75 lakh cash bond from citizens of at least six countries including India for a visa has not been taken yet. This is after India voiced its strong protests over the proposed move.

The UK government's plan to introduce a controversial new visa bond scheme was termed as "unfair and discriminatory" by senior politicians and the Indian Industry.

Britain confirmed on Monday that Indian visitors deemed to pose a "high risk" of overstaying their visas would need to provide a cash bond, but stressed the new scheme would only involve a small number of people.