The United Kingdom is to impose tough new sanctions that could include a hefty fine and possible imprisonment of people who fail
to ensure that visiting family members leave the United Kingdom (UK) before their visas run
out.

This could significantly affect the many Jamaicans who have close family ties in the United Kingdom. A release from the UK Border
Agency said people will have to become licensed to sponsor family members to visit from abroad under proposed changes to the visa system.

The sponsors will then have a duty to ensure that their visitors leave before their visa runs out or face a ban on bringing anyone else over, or face penalties of up to £5,000 or a jail sentence.

Home Office - UK Border Control

"The new sponsored family visa is just one of the firm but fair changes being made to the shortterm visa system which will sit
alongside the Government's new Points Based System introduced earlier this year.

Further proposals announced on June 25 include: introducing two new business visas for sportspeople and entertainers; setting
the maximum leave for visitors at six months; introducing an appeal system for those coming in under the family route; a new short-term, low-cost group travel visa to promote British tourism; and a visa for people coming to the UK for one-off cultural events, such as the Edinburgh Festival," the release said.

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