New Zealand Government Raises Objections Over UK Government Ancestry Visa Abolishment
25/02/2008
New Zealand Government is concerned about the latest UK Governments plans contained in the Home Office green paper suggesting to eradicate the Ancestry Visa.
In the latest UK immigration news and visa changes, the UK Borders of Immigration released a document of consultation called the "Path to citizenship: next steps in reforming the immigration system" which has several questions regarding the recent immigration changes and proposed changes. The latest debate falls on the included question in the green paper, "Do you think the ancestry route should be abolished?"
Under the current UK Ancestry provision, a Commonwealth citizen aged 17 or over, who is able to show that one of his grandparents was born in the UK, and who intends to work in the UK, may be granted an entry clearance on the basis of his UK ancestry. The Commonwealth countries utilizing this system are Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Under the visa the applicants can live and work for four years and eventually apply for residency.
The New Zealand government is strongly opposing the proposed visa changes which they say would affect thousands of New Zealanders who live and work in Britain. The law change could affect thousands of New Zealanders who include work experience in Britain as part of their overseas experience every year.
British High Commissioner to New Zealand George Fergusson says it is one of many proposals to make sure Britain gets the right migrants.
"Most of this paper is proposals, new ideas. There is one bit that says while we're about it, let's just ask the question of whether having a British grandparent is a good enough reason to come to Britain," he says.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has promised to take up the case of the hundreds of New Zealanders who could lose their right to live and work in the UK if the ancestry visa is abolished. "We believe the ancestry visa should remain, and are surprised the issue has been raised."
The Prime Minister says New Zealanders greatly value their connections with Britain, especially those whose grandparents were born there.
In 2006, more than 8000 visa holders entered the UK of who just under 2000 of them were from New Zealand. The British High Commission said it received about 4000 applications for ancestry visa applications a year from New Zealanders
The British High Commission said it received about 4000 applications for ancestry visa applications a year from New Zealanders.
"We need to decide whether a Commonwealth national's ancestral connections to the UK are sufficient to allow them to come here to work without the need to satisfy a resident labour market test," the paper says.
British High Commission communications manager Jonathan Kinchella said the proposal was still in its consultation stage and submissions were being accepted until May.
"You have to weigh up whether or not having a visa system based on ancestry has a place in the modern world and that's why we're asking the question," he said.
Asked if this would damage the historic associations New Zealand has with Britain, Mr Kinchella replied: "I wouldn't think so.
"The UK certainly values the economic wealth and skills New Zealanders bring to the UK on their working holidays and there are other routes into the country."
Helen Clark is expected to raise the issue with senior UK Government figures in April when she visits Britain for Sir Edmund Hillary's memorial service.
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