London, Jan. 15 : The British Government has announced that migrants coming to Britain will have to pay an"immigration tax" to help communities cope.

According to The Telegraph, the tax could be as little as 20 pounds, as part of plans to make newcomers earn their stay.

The paper says that the levy will be put on visa fees for foreigners as a contribution towards the schools, hospitals and other services they use but critics warn it will make little difference.

Tens of thousands of migrants who want to be British citizens each year will also be "fast tracked" to settlement if they carry out voluntary or community work, under the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill.

The moves could see up to 250,000 extra foreigners handed a passport every year as Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, signalled she wants every migrant looking to settle tin the UK to apply for citizenship.

The levy was first announced last year and is expected to come in to force from April. (ANI)