subject: UK introduces changes in Student Visa System [print this page] UK introduces changes in Student Visa System
In what seems like a blow to many Indian students aspiring to study in prestigious UK universities,study us the UK government has announced a major overhaul of the student visa system, tightening the entrance criteria and the post-study work route.
These measures are taken to prevent abuse of the student visa route by unscrupulous agents trying to dupe students.
Speaking to IBN, Chris Dix, Regional Director, UK Border Agency, says, "There will be restrictions on work placements on courses provided by non-university sponsors." He also added that apart from ending the current system where graduates are able to do jobs of any level including unskilled work or no job at all for two years, the visa changes also include provision for work for students only from publicly funded universities and educational colleges while the remaining students would not have the right to do so.
This will have a huge repercussion on Indian students who aspire to work in the UK to support their education. Now the graduates will have to secure a skilled job with a tier-two sponsor. This means that now these students will have to get jobs that are of their level and also with firms that are registered with the authorities to hire overseas employment.
These measures will have a huge impact on number of Indian applicants applying to UK universities. According to officials, UK is expecting a drop of about 60,000 to 70,000 global student visas being issued by it.study us
Another change is the level of English required to make it to these universities. The level of English speaking has also been raised from the current requirement of B1 level to an upper intermediate (B2) level for degree courses.
Also as per these changes which will be implemented in stages over the next 12 months, the UK Border Agency staff can refuse entry to students who cannot speak English without an interpreter and who, therefore, study usdo not meet the required minimum standards.
Other changes that will have an impact on Indian students is that that all educational institutions in UK that want to be sponsors will have to become Highly Trusted Sponsors by April 2012 and become accredited by statutory education inspection bodies by the end of 2012.
Another change is that from now on only post-graduate students at universities for longer duration than 12 months and government-sponsored students will be able to bring their dependents.
The UK government is also mulling over to refuse those applications where bank statements are made by banks which they cannot trust to verify the statements. Local lists of proscribed banks will be established.
Other changes, as per media reports, include the limit on the overall time that can be spent on a student visa in the UK, three years at levels below degree, as now, and five years at degree level and above. At present there is no limit for study at or above degree level.
Though these measures will hurt the UK economy as education is a major contributor to its GDP, the attempt is to bring quality students in the UK.
