More UK immigration delays for Gurkhas

December 24 2008 by Gareth McConnell

The Gurkha Justice Campaign Team has another fight on its hands after having heard that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 may have to face a further three month delay to find out if they will be able move to the UK.

The government is expected to apply to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal for a further three months in which to consider the cases. The visa application is expected to be made on 7 January 2009.

The cases were initially expected to be settled by the end of the year, after the High Court ruled that policies used to exclude Gurkhas who retired before 1997 from settling in the UK, were unlawful.

Following the High Court ruling the government has stated, “we have taken the judgment on board and are determined to get the amended guidance right to ensure it is fair to all Gurkhas. This has involved consultation across Government...once we have published the guidance we will review the cases as soon as possible."

The Gurkha Justice Campiagn Team, headed by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father was a Gurkha, has received huge public support for their campaign to allow all Gurkhas the automatic right to a UK visa. They say the extra three months is an ‘”unacceptable” delay.