<<Print>>

British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Peter Jones, in a move to bring to rest growing debate over the recently announced plan to demand upfront cash bonds from some persons looking to travel to the United Kingdom. In a tweet from his official account, the High Commissioner noted: "To be clear: visa bonds a possible pilot. Nothing decided. If it did roll out, would apply to only a small number." He further advised that persons seeking to acquire visas must "apply in good time and follow the online guidance please." Home secretary Theresa May's new plan to demand upfront cash bonds, reportedly set at around �3,000 for visitors from "high risk" countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and India, has been widely condemned by persons living in these countries. The idea, to be piloted from November, is aimed at deterring people from "high risk" countries staying in the UK once their short-term visas expire. Under the plan, they would forfeit the money unless they left when required. The Confederation of Indian Industry in a statement on Tuesday said the move was "highly discriminatory". The UK government however says the problem of so-called "overstayers" is one of the biggest challenges facing the immigration system and they want to target visitors from certain countries who present the greatest risk.