The present UK government is not really interested in promoting multi-culturalism, rather it has attached a higher priority to being paranoid about immigration, an attitude fuelled by the tabloid press. It is likely that at least some of the rejections were entirely unavoidable, with immigration officers actively searching for something to reject people on, especially if they have recently accepted a higher proportion of applicants than average.
As a native of the UK, this is not something that I am at all proud of.
On 6 August 2014 07:44, Pine W wiki.pine@gmail.com wrote:
Ah, sorry! I'm tired and it shows.
Pine
On Tue, Aug 5, 2014 at 11:40 PM, Alan C Y Lai alancylai@wikimedia.hk wrote:
Pine,
Ellie said 10, not 10%, so don't be too alarmist. However visa policy should be part of eligibility consideration for venue.
Best regards, Alan (not attending this year) Sent on the road
---- Pine W wrote ----
10% is a large percentage to deny. I am starting to think that in the future a criteria for Wikimania selection should be the ease of obtaining visas, if that isn't already a consideration. Ironically, I think one of the reasons the UK was chosen to host was the supposed ease of obtaining visas for Commonwealth citizens. I'm not sure what the UK is thinking but denying 10% of visa applicants for Wikimania is not a good way to promote tourism or multiculturalism.
Pine
On Tue, Aug 5, 2014 at 11:03 PM, Ellie Young eyoung@wikimedia.org wrote:
We have that list going, believe me! I think a lot of the problems were insurmountable no matter how hard we and the recipients tried because of the Immigration policies. We have at least 10 per my count that were denied.
Ellie
On Aug 5, 2014, at 5:32 PM, Pine W wiki.pine@gmail.com wrote:
Some of the issues I know about might have been prevented with better communication. Ellie, can you ask people to have experienced visa problems to contact you or someone else at WMF so that WMF can create a list of problems and work on how to prevent these in future years?
Pine On Aug 5, 2014 5:22 PM, "Naureen" msnora@gmail.com wrote:
Sorry you all faced issues with visa. As part of the core volunteer team, I was sad to hear of various visa issues.
Night!
On Wednesday, August 6, 2014, Amir Ladsgroup ladsgroup@gmail.com wrote:
It's not just two visa denials. I'm pretty sure about at least five cases including mine.
It was predictable for me so I talked to one of my friends two months ago to take over my presentation in case of visa denial. For the next events I suggest you to be prepared for issues like this.
Best
On 8/6/14, Pine W wiki.pine@gmail.com wrote:
Hi,
This is the second report I have heard about last minute visa
surprises.
This kind of problem is disruptive not just for those who were
denied entry
but for others who were planning on the attendance of the person
whose visa
was denied.
In any case, can you give your presentation remotely?
Pine
-- Amir
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