Representatives from India and Britain will meet later this month to discuss the latter’s year-long pilot scheme from November regarding cash bond visa. Theresa May, Member of Parliament for Maidenhead and Home Secretary, UK had announced plans to introduce cash bonds for visa for visitors from six countries including India. Diplomats from the Indian High Commission in London have asked UK's foreign office to set a date for a comprehensive dialogue on visa-related issues including the financial bonds, as per a TOI report.


As per the scheme, visitors from the six countries, deemed high-risk, will have to pay GBP 3,000 before they enter the UK for a six-month stay. “The discussions will take place between Indian diplomats and . We expect it to take place in the second half of July. We want UK to drop such a discriminatory bond," a foreign office official said. Another official added, "We don't like the company we have been clubbed with." The bond will also apply to those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana.

Officials from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We have been informed that it is not the policy of the government but a pilot proposal by the Home Ministry. Discussions between different ministries in UK will take place soon on the proposal."

David Slater, Director of International Trade and Investment, London & Partners, said that in 2012 alone, London earned GBP 177 million from visiting Indians. The proposed scheme will only apply to "high-risk individuals" who are "most-likely to stay back" after the expiry of their visa, he informed. Slater added, “We haven't seen definite criteria on who is a high-risk individual. Regular travellers with a good immigration track record have nothing to worry.”

Travel News from India

-

Best Travel Agency in India

-

Top Hotels in India

-

Travel Place in India

Videos of Travel Places India

Photogallery of Travel Places in India