Let foreign visitors stay too long and pay a fine

British residents could be fined if their overseas visitors work illegally or overstay their visas under new government plans announced today.

Ministers are also proposing that spouses or fiancés coming to join their partners in Britain must have mastered English and the minimum age for visas for spouses or fiancés will be raised from 18 to 21.

Other reforms include requiring all visa applicants to provide biometric data to British embassies in their home countries before travelling to the UK.

The proposed changes are contained in a Home Office consultation unveiled today which sets out the latest plans for combating illegal immigration.

One of the important new reforms will be the introduction of a system of "family sponsors" under which British residents will have to agree to vouch for overseas visitors travelling to see them.

If the visitor fails to return as required when their visa expires, the sponsor will be held liable and could be fined which could have severe implications for families employing au pairs or nannies from overseas.

Home Office minister Liam Byrne said: "It is essential that we have a fair and effective migration system. The days when border control started at the white cliffs of Dover are over. Our immigration control needs to start well before."