No UK visa to young and single!

They are subjected to higher visa refusal rates than others by UK officials in India, reports CR Jayachandran.

For all those who are "young, single and of marriageable age" in India, there is bad news from Britain. You will not be allowed into that country.

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Young single men are subjected to higher visa refusal rates than others through an illegal attempt by British immigration staff based in India and Jamaica, according to the Independent Monitor, whose job is to act as a watchdog of the functioning of UK visa issuance procedure.

"I can confirm that the categorisation ‘young single man’ does appear in 51 of the refusal notices I reviewed in 2003 as a reason to refuse," Fiona Lindsley, immigration lawyer and the present Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance Refusals, said.

Applicants were refused for being of "marriageable age" and this has been part of a standard wording used in British consulates in India and in Jamaica, Lindsley, who uncovered the practice, said.

"I recommend that ‘young single male’ is not used as a basis for refusal and that ECOs (Entry Clearance Officers) be made aware that it is not a ‘profile’ for refusal in any sense," she said.

During training both ECOs and ECMs are advised not to use "young single male" as a basis for refusal.

Lindsley has told UK ministers that it is no more than an illegal attempt to limit the opportunities for Indians and Jamaicans to meet British citizens as it might lead to marriage.