It has got even tougher over the last month for Caribbean and other non-Europeans to get into Britain.
Since April 6, the Home Office has also been conducting a review of a number of its application forms.
The review comes less than a month after the Home Office increased fees for all those applying to study, visit, work or stay in the United Kingdom (UK).
This review follows recent announcements that seven Caribbean countries are being reviewed with a view to imposing visa requirements on them.
The Home Office also says applicants submitting an application on or after April 6 must visit the relevant section of its website to check that they have the right form and payment at the new fee level for the different types of application.
The changes are mounting alongside February's announcement that foreign students from outside Europe wanting to come to the UK to study will be required to meet stricter entry criteria.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in the UK and that their dependants cannot work there at all.
That move came on the heels of a raft of changes which are being viewed in some quarters as a vigourous attempt by the UK to keep Caribbean nationals outside its borders.
RJR News has been reliably informed that Caribbean HighCommissioners are disgruntled with the developments.
One High Commissioner who wished not to be named said current amendments and pending changes will have grave consequences for the social and economic sectors of the Caribbean islands.
Celia Markey-Grandison, Jamaica/UK Diaspora Advisory Board member, said some of the measures seem set on placing Caribbean nationals at a disadvantage.
She said the changes will have serious implications for the Caribbean and it is important that the UK Border Agency fully engages the countries to be affected by the proposed visa restrictions.
Ms Markey-Grandison added that Caribbean governments need to be a significant part of the consultation and decision making process, so that the process is inclusive.
dem doubleD visa in some case over the last 5 years and n some cases more...This is all a plan to make some money in time of recession...cuh some Artist dem talk too much bout dem make 100,000 for a show in NY...KMT
u all alway say that BS and only go home once or twice in 10yrs u need to stop lie , some of u all only remember home went some shyt happen that put ur country on da map or news ,
-- Edited by Ill-matic on Friday 9th of April 2010 03:28:34 PM
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If u dont like my opinion/topic/comment I still dont Gave a F*** .