J Lu and Gurkhas win fight with UK immigration
May 22 2009 by Gareth McConnell
J Lu celebrates win
Former Gurkhas who served for at least four years in the British Army have been told they are eligible for a UK visa for citizenship.
Qualifying Gurkhas, who retired before 1 July 1997, are now able to apply for UK citizenship. They are also able to bring with them their spouses and dependent children.
The new ‘scheme’ has been introduced by the Home Office following a controversial process in which the Gurkhas, along with actress Joanna Lumley, rallied huge public support for settlement rights and a UK visa.
Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith stated, “we respect the will of the House of Commons on this issue and that is why I have now announced a new policy, the basis of which we have worked on with the Home Affairs Select Committee and Gurkha representative. This means we can now welcome any Gurkha who has served for four years or more to settle in the United Kingdom.”
After 1 July 1997, the cut-off date for the new scheme, the Gurkha regiments were relocated to the UK. Since that date, over 6,000 Gurkhas and their families have moved to the UK along with their families.
There are currently some 3,800 Gurkha troops supporting UK military projects across the globe.
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