A Bill to amend the Immigration Rules in connection with the requirements for indefinite leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom as a Gurkha discharged from the British Army.
The purpose of the Bill is to amend the immigration rules in connection with the requirements for indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK as a Gurkha discharged from the British Army.In 2004, the Government changed the immigration rules to allow Gurkhas with at least four years of service to remain in the UK after their discharge from the British Army. Prior to this change in the rules, Gurkhas could not be granted indefinite leave to enter and remain after their discharge. However, the new rules only apply to Gurkhas discharged from the British Army on or after 1 July 1997.The Bill would enable Gurkhas who left service prior to 1997 to be granted indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK.A similar Bill has been introduced in the House of Commons by Bob Russell, Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester, as the Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) (No. 2) Bill.Key areasAmends the immigration rules for GurkhasAllows Gurkhas discharged prior to 1997 to be granted indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK.
House of Lords
23 February 2009
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Bill would change UK immigration rules to allow Gurkhas who left the British Army before 1 July 1997 to be granted indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK. It builds on a 2004 rule that already lets Gurkhas discharged after 1 July 1997 with at least four years’ service stay in the UK, by extending ILR eligibility to pre-1997 Gurkhas.
The Bill is at the Third Reading stage in the Lords. It has already progressed through the earlier stages (1st and 2nd readings) and an Order of Commitment discharge.
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No recorded votes for this bill yet.
