NEW PROPOSALS ON CITIZENSHIP

On 20th February the Boarder and Immigratnin Agency in the Home office published a Green paper entitled The path to Citizenship: Next Steps in Reforming the Immigration System.  The Green Paper sets out plans for "radical simplication" of the immigration laws.  The objective of this "is to make our immigration system clearer, more streamlined and easier to understand, in the process reducing the possibilities for abuse of the system, maximizing the benefits of migration and putting British values at the heart of the system."

A copy of this paper is availabe online at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/consultations/pathtocitizenship/.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR MINSTERS OF RELIGION

The Boarder and Immigration Agency of the Home Office has put on to its website material explaining how individuals can apply to come to work in the UK as a minister of religion, missionary or a member of a religious order.  The website (which contains application forms for individuals to complete) gives details of the admission requirements in terms of qualifications and the need to show that an individual is able to communicate well in English, and also information on how an individual can extend their visa or apply to settle permanetly in the UK after they have lived here for five years.  This material is available at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ministersofreligion

LEAVING

Marion Waruguru, Faith Communities Project Manager will be leaving the project on 7th July 2008.  Please contact, the Chair of the Faith Forum, Rev. Jonathan Mead from that date using the contacts given on the last web page.