A major tightening of the rules governing entry to Britain will be announced this week when the government proposes that failed visa applicants - mainly from the Indian subcontinent - will lose the right to launch a judicial appeal against the decision.

In a sign of the government's determination to take a tougher line on foreign visitors, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne will use a visit to India to outline proposals to drop judicial appeals for people who are refused the right to visit relatives in Britain.

'We are also looking at the idea of ending appeals for family visit cases,' Mr Byrne told The Observer on Sunday. His plans would save the taxpayer up to £60m a year. 'This is a controversial idea. I am sure it will meet with resistance.'

He describes the move as the biggest shake-up in Britain's border system in nearly 50 years.

In India the party will tour a visa application centre, meet with representatives from the Indian government and police, the International Punjabi Society, and multinational companies.

As well as visiting India, the Minister will hold community events in London and across the UK, so he can discuss face to face  some of the issues raised by the recent consultation ‘Visitors – A Consultation Paper’ which will run until 10 March.

Said Mr Byrne: "I’m clear our visit visa system is out of date. For many legitimate visitors – especially those who want to see loved-ones, it’s too hard to get back together.

“Already people are flagging key issues – like reserving bonds for borderline cases only and keeping the time limit for family visas at six months.

“I want Britain’s different communities to help me design a system that is slicker and more secure. We’ve never taken this kind of approach to listening on such a set of changes but I think it’s the best way to get the answers right."

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