Belgium is planning to restrict the number of foreigners entering the country for the purpose of marriage, Expatica News recounts. Starting in 2006, immigrants entering Belgium with the intention to marry will be required to obtain health insurance, and the assessment time will also be lengthened. These new requirements are hoped to reduce sham marriages and to restrict the number of marriage immigrants. Belgium ’s Interior Minister Patrick Dewael stated that the government has almost finished the drafting of the new legislation, which will adhere to European Union guidelines, and that it must be implemented by the end of next year.

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The Borneo Bulletin ( Brunei ) reported this week that immigration officials have been warned to uphold their responsibilities and follow regulations. According to the Acting Director of Immigration and National Registration Awang Zainal Abidin, immigration officials are to record the trans-border movement of people with a computer system. Awang Zainal Abidin states that some officers have not been adequately recording the data and that this has caused a discrepancy on the data collected. The immigration agency issued a notice in January of this year that stated that all officers who fail to enter data or follow instructions without a sound reason will face, after investigation, either a freeze on their salary or a negative performance appraisal by their supervisor that could impact their eligibility for a bonus. Awang Zainal Abidin also encouraged all officers at border posts to remain alert and to pay special attention to the guidelines on entering in data, especially on the issuance of visiting passes. First-time visitors can enter the country with a 14-day social visit pass and with the appropriate documentation. Visitors can also make a U-turn (exit and entry) through neighboring countries after their 14-day pass has expired, and return to the country under another 14-day pass. After a second U-turn, visitors will be given only 7 more days in the country, but no more extensions and a note asking them to return to their home country.