Cheap visas for tourists at 2012 Games

A new "Olympics visa" and separate specialist visas to allow entertainers and sportspeople to enter Britain were announced today as part of an immigration shake-up.

Under the changes, a new cutprice tourist visa lasting a few weeks, rather than the usual six months, will be introduced to allow spectators to attend one-off events such as the 2012 London Games.

There will be new specialist visas - one covering sportspeople and the other entertainers - to allow those taking part in events such as music and cultural festivals, professional and amateur sports competitions to enter without a work permit.

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the rules were aimed at cutting red tape and making Britain "the world's best cultural and sporting nation by 2012".

The overhaul of immigration rules will also the introduction of fines of up to £5,000 for Britons who receive family visitors from abroad who then fail to return home.