UK says visa changes will protect children
THE United Kingdom says the stricter visa rules for children visiting the country is aimed at protecting minors from sexual abuse and exploitation.
The requirements, which took effect on Sunday, will see visas being endorsed to show whether a child is travelling alone, or in the company of an adult. The name of the person – whether it is a parent, guardian or adult – travelling with a child under the age of 18 years old will be shown on the visa. The child will not be able to travel if the named person is not travelling with him or her.
The press and political affairs officer of the British High Commissioner, Mark Waller, explained that if the child has to travel with someone other than the named person on the visa, then the child’s parents or guardian has to apply for a new visa that will be issued with the name of the new person.
The application form must provide information about the child’s travel plans and the names and contact details of all the adults who are involved in the application. Additionally, there should be evidence of parental consent, either on the visa application form or in a signed statement, or as a letter attached to the application form.
Children are still allowed to travel unaccompanied; however the visa officer must be satisfied that the child will be adequately cared for while in the UK.
The visa will show that the child is travelling alone.
Under the current immigration rules, once a child is issued with a UK visa he or she can travel with any adult, even if the minor has little or no connection with that person. The child can also travel alone. The commission noted, however, that although these arrangements work for many children traveling to the UK, for some it can lead to abuse, exploitation and abduction.
Therefore, the changes will create an official and accessible record aimed at tackling some of the problems associated with abuse of children, and are designed to deter those who wish to engage in the exploitation of children.
“The new rules will allow us to keep a closer eye on minors who are accompanied or unaccompanied so that we can know where the responsibilities rest,” he said.
