New UK visa curbs on foreign spouses

London, Jun 10: Only those

nationals or residents with an annual income of at least Rs 16 lakh will be able to bring spouses from the Indian sub-continent and other countries outside the European Union from Jul 9, the government announced today.

The new restrictions are part of the David Cameron government's efforts to reduce migration from outside the EU.

The curbs on non-EU spouses are also intended to clamp down on bogus marriages and family visas, with migrants ending up on benefits from the taxpayer.

Home secretary Theresa May today said: "Like the rest of the immigration system, family visas have not been regulated properly for years."

"There have been sham marriages, people have been allowed to come to Britain without being able to speak English and there haven't been rules in place to stop people becoming a burden on the welfare state," she said.

"We're changing all of that. Our plans mean the thousands of people who wish to bring their foreign spouses, partners and dependants to live with them here in Britain will have to have sufficient financial independence to be able to support them without becoming a burden to the taxpayer," she added.

On the controversial issue of foreign criminals being prevented from deportation on human rights grounds, May said she would be seeking the backing of Parliament for new guidelines for the courts spelling out how they should apply the European Convention on Human Rights in such cases.

Besides the income threshold, other curbs include a longer period, from two to five years, before the non-EU spouse can be granted permanent settlement.

Sponsor of a non-EU spouse, will have to earn at least 18,600 pounds (nearly Rs 16 lakh) a year and if they have a child the threshold will rise to 22,400 pounds, rising by 2,400 pounds for each additional child.

PTI