Major changes have been proposed for United Kingdom (U.K.) immigration and visa regulations next year. The British Home Office on Tuesday announced a consultation to seek the views on a proposed tightening of the rules on visitors' visas that could fundamental the way people are allowed to visit Britain. Among the proposed changes is that persons using 'sponsored family visits', to enable relatives from outside the European Union to visit on visitors' visas, would need to put up a cash bond (of £1,000) that would be forfeited if the relative did not leave when the visa expired. Seeking limit to appeal The proposals are also seeking to limit the existing right of appeal to a full tribunal against a decision by immigration authorities not to grant a visa. The consultation has been launched as the government announced that more than 1 million fingerprints have now been collected from foreign nationals applying to come to the U.K. as part of its biometric visa programme. Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, said the biometric visa and proposed tougher rules would allow the government more control over who is allowed into the U.K. He said the changes need to walk a fine line between keeping out those who intend to stay and work here illegally, and welcoming legitimate visitors who boost the U.K. economy. "By next spring we'll check everyone's fingerprints when they apply for a visa. Now we're proposing a financial guarantee as well, not for everyone, but where we think there's a risk," he said. "Our aim is to make the system more secure, but also to ensure that we maintain the U.K.'s position as a destination of choice for tourists. In 2006, overseas visitors spent £15.4 billion in the U.K., with the tourist industry employing 1.4 million people." Existing changes The British Government has already announced other major changes to the visa system, which include a ban on non-European Union unskilled workers; a points-based system for economic migrants and the tightening of procedures for people bringing spouses into the country. Proposed changes A press release from the U.K. Home Office said the proposed changes would include: Reducing the length of time a tourist can stay in the U.K. to three months from the current six months. Creating a specific business and specialist visa. Requiring people to make a refundable financial deposit, designed to ensure that any foreign national family members visiting them return home before their visa expires. Creating a specific visa for one-off events, such as the Olympics. The financial deposit being proposed is at least £1,000 (more than EC$5,200). Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com