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Tough new rules and enforcement action to stop abuse
of the student visa system mean that over 450
education providers will no longer be able to
sponsor new international students.
In total these
colleges could have brought more than 11,000
students into the UK to study each year.
New UK Border Agency regulations have significantly
raised the standards education providers must meet
before they can bring international students to the
UK. So far, over 400 colleges have lost their right
to recruit international students after they failed
to sign up for the new inspection system. As well as
cutting abuse, the new standards will help ensure
that genuine international students receive the
highest quality education.
In addition, a
targeted UK Border Agency investigation into more
than 100 colleges has led to 51 having their
licences to recruit international students revoked.
The investigation followed a spike in applications
from South Asia just before the English language
requirement rules were tightened. More than 4,500 of
these applications to study have been refused or
withdrawn as a result.
One college advertised classes even though the
website said it was shut for maintenance, while
another could not even produce a list of students
enrolled or a timetable of classes. On inspection,
others could not produce any records of student
attendance, or evidence of checking student
qualifications.
Immigration Minister, Damian Green said:
'Widespread abuse of
the student visa system has gone on for too long and
the changes we have made are beginning to bite.
'Too many institutions were offering international
students an immigration service rather than an
education and too many students have come to the UK
with the aim of getting work and bringing over
family members. Only first-class education providers
should be given licences to sponsor international
students.
'We have curbed the
opportunities to work during study and bring in
family members. We have also introduced new language
requirements to ensure we only attract genuine
students whose primary motivation is to study.'
As well as going
through tough new inspections, colleges that want to
keep bringing in international students must also
meet new higher sponsorship standards to ensure they
are fulfilling their immigration responsibilities.
Those who do not meet these standards will be
removed from the sponsorship register.
The UK Border Agency
has also created a list of more than 2,000 banks and
financial institutions who can no longer provide
evidence to verify a student has sufficient funds
for their course. If a bank is on the list, a
student citing that institution will not be granted
a visa.
Further measures to
tighten the student regime are due in April. The
post study work route, which has allowed graduates
free labour market access, will be closed and
students wishing to stay and work will need to apply
under the skilled workers visa route.
There will also be new
time limits on student visas and tougher rules on
work placements. In the mean time the UK Border
Agency is continually monitoring the behaviour of
all sponsors and will take action against any that
are not complying with standards of education
provision or immigration control.
The changes to the student route form part of the
Government's comprehensive package to overhaul the
immigration system, taking action on families,
settlement, those coming here to work, as well as
students, in order to bring immigration levels back
down to sustainable levels.
*Extract from:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/november/01-student-visa-system
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