AS OF tomorrow, visa applications for children travelling to the United Kingdom will have to state who they will be travelling with when not travelling alone.The U.K. government said it was making the change to address the threat of child abuse and exploitation.
The British High Commission noted in a statement that, until now, a child could apply for entry clearance at the same time as other family members, be granted a visa, and then travel to the U.K. either alone or in the company of an adult other than those who applied for the visa at the same time.
"This can allow children to enter the U.K. in the company of an adult who is either unrelated or with whom they have little connection," the High Commission said. "By doing this they can evade the extra scrutiny of the reception and care arrangements awaiting the child in the U.K."
DIFFICULTY IN BEING TRACED
The High Commission said that, although these arrangements work for some children entering the U.K., it could lead to abuse, exploitation and difficulty in being traced for others.
The High Commission noted that cases such as the murders of Victoria Climbie and Jamaican Toni-Ann Byfield, in which British social services were held at fault for poor supervision, have highlighted the need for the change in policy.
The new regulation is intended to create a record of the children together with a record of their parents' details.
The U.K. believes this will act as a deterrent to possible child abusers and also help the state take action to protect children when necessary.
Policy changes include:
Successful child applicants being issued with a separate entry clearance vignette (visa).
The parent or guardian must indicate whether the child will
travel alone or who will accompany him/her.
The application will have to ensure that there are adequate arrangements for the child's care in the U.K., and identify a person in their home country who is responsible for them.
The visa will not be valid for travel if the child is accompanied by anyone other than those named on the vignette. Even in the case of a parent or guardian the visa will be invalid.
The new regulation affects nationals of all countries required to obtain visas to enter the U.K.
For more information: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
