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See other news storiesNew rules on the way for immigrants and employers
5 November 2008
The changes will impact foreign workers and young people who wish to marry.
The minimum age at which you can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21 from the end of this month.
From November 27, both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa will be issued. Raising the age is just one part of the government's work to crack down on forced marraiges, and on those who attempt to abuse the marriage visa system.
Borders and immigration minister Phil Woolas said, 'It is important that we protect vulnerable young people, and this measure will help avoid exploitation.'
New rules for businesses too
This week the Home Office also issued guidance to help businesses prepare for the start of tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system (new window). Those tiers – which cover the hiring of skilled and temporary immigrant workers – come into force on 27 November.
Once those tiers are in place, employers will be held accountable for the workers they bring into the country, with a new sponsorship scheme holding businesses responsible for anyone they employ.
Mr Woolas said, 'The points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come – and no more. Had the system been in place last year there would have been 12% fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route.'
British jobseekers protected by changes
Tier 2 of the points-based system is designed to ensure that British and European jobseekers get the first shot at jobs, and only those jobs that cannot be filled by European citizens are then opened to foreign workers.
Employers will be required to pass a test to prove they cannot find a British citizen to fill a post before they can hire someone from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Find out more
The government proposed raising the marriage visa age in the document Marriage visas: the way forward (new window).
Find out more about how the changes will impact businesses in the Statement of intent for business and special visitor visas (new window).
