Blunkett's measures come in the wake of the immigration row

Under the proposals, all foreign nationals could only be married in Britain by special registrars.

Registrars would also get the power to refuse to marry couples if they feared the wedding was an immigration scam.

Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans also mean students would only get visas if they went to registered colleges.

New hurdles

The measures, which are still subject to consultation, were unveiled after the latest "stock take" meeting in Downing Street on immigration issues.

Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to take a "close interest" in immigration controls after fears of abuses led to the resignation of Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes earlier this month.

Registrars already have to report any suspicions about marriages to the immigration officials, who can refuse people leave to remain to Britain within three years of the wedding.

We must continue to strive to ensure that our immigration system is robust David Blunkett Home Secretary

But town hall officials can currently only refuse to marry couples if there is a legal bar - because of bigamy and perjury.

Now immigration worries can be another reason for refusal and those going to the special registrars would face specific immigration service checks.

Mr Blunkett has been consulting for months with the education ministers on "bogus" colleges helping immigrants get student visas.

Colleges investigated

The new plans essentially formalise current checks by setting up a new register of bona fide institutes.

The register is set to be established by the end of the year and visas will only be granted for students attending colleges and language schools on the list.

But a Home Office spokeswoman said: "People currently have to satisfy an entry clearance officer that they have a course they are going to do."

There will also be an immeditate start to investigations into "addresses masquerading as educational establishments".

'Not a quick fix'

Mr Blunkett stressed the majority of foreign students were genuine and pointed to a British Council report this week suggesting they contributed �3bn a year to the British economy.

"We cannot and should not shut the door to workers, investors, genuine students, relatives and friends from other countries," he said.

"But we must continue to strive to ensure that our immigration system is robust in preventing those without the right to enter or stay on in Britain from bending the rules.

"This is an ongoing process - not a question of quick fixes."

Residents of the eight eastern European states joining the European Union in May will be able to travel to Britain without visas, but will need to register to work.