As an alien resident attorney here in Taiwan I always read with some interest news stories involving various "visa adventures" in different parts of the world. As a result, I was keen to learn about a new type of visa developed by Britain. It is called the "1-NS" visa. 1-NS stands for "one rule, no speaking" visa. It is an interesting development in immigration and naturalization law. The first recipient of this visa was former President Lee Tung-hui (李登輝). He was recently admitted into Britain under this new visa.
Lately Britain seems to be on the cutting edge of new visa development. Also recently developed was the BM-EE visa. This visa was developed specifically for American boxer-felon Mike Tyson. "BM-EE" stands for big money equals exempt. For the non-lawyers I will explain, if the visa applicant will bring big money into Britain then they are exempt from the normal visa requirements that the rest of us are. For example as a felon with a long criminal record who is currently on parole, Iron Mike would normally be "persona non grata" in Britain. But since his fight generated lots of revenue then he was exempt.
Actually though, Britain is not alone in developing new visa categories, the US has recently developed a new one, too. It is called the "CK-PP" visa. It's one time recipient was Elian Gonzalez. "CK-PP" stands for "cute kid, political points." This visa, which is good for up to 120 days, is issued in situations where politicians can gain political mileage out of allowing a photogenic child to stay in the US while his legal case, which has absolutely no legal basis, winds its way through the courts.
Turning from satire to seriousness, the nations of this world, be they Great Britain, the US or Taiwan, ought to keep to a visa admission system which is fundamentally fair and uniformly applied.
I am well aware that realpolitik factors often influence decisions to grant or deny visas. But I am also well aware that the issuance of visas should be a transparent system that is not used as a roundabout way to achieve political ends be those political ends such things as pacifying the PRC, bringing money into Britain or gaining votes in Florida's Cuban community.
It does not reflect well on any nation when it is seen "dealing" in visas as if they were a commodity that is for sale to the highest bidder.
Brian Kennedy is an attorney who writes and teaches on criminal justice and human rights issues.
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