The British Government wants to halve the six-month tourist visas for non-European visitors.

No changes are planned to the working holiday scheme for young Australians or to working visas.

The move would bring Britain into line with Australia and the United States, which each enforce a three-month maximum stay on tourist visas.

Also mooted is a requirement for tourist visa holders deemed at risk of overstaying because of previous breaches or suspicious circumstances to be sponsored by British relatives, who would pay a $2300 bond.

The bond would be refunded if the visa holder left within the three months.

The British Government hopes such changes may reduce the number of people who stay in Britain illegally after their tourist visas expire.

The Australian travel industry says the proposals would not deter Aussie travellers.

"It isn't targeted at the Australian traveller," STA Travel managing director David Burns said.

"The market we deal with is chiefly youths going on a working holiday who have the appropriate visas, who make up a large proportion of Australians heading to the UK."