By IANS,
London: Britain’s Labour government Thursday proposed a new rule under which people seeking to migrate to Britain will either be given “permission” or not – a proposal that would do away with five existing approval categories if passed.
According to new draft legislation, the five current application categories available to migrants will be replaced by one clear concept – “permission” to be in the UK.
If the bill is passed, “permission” will replace the five “outdated and overlapping concepts” of leave to enter, leave to remain, entry clearance, right to abode and exemption from control.
“It will be easier to use and understand – a migrant either has permission or does not,” home office officials said.
According to the proposal, those already in Britain must gain permission or face removal for breaking the law.
The new, temporary, time-limited, permission will be given for a particular purpose to visit, work or study, and is subject to conditions such as access to work or public funds.
Those who already have permanent resident status will be given permission without any time limit or conditions attached.
The draft bill also proposes a new streamlined power of expulsion, replacing the current powers of deportation and removal, the home ministry said.