News
Monday, March 07, 2011
Britain defends foreign student visa clampdown
LONDON: Britain’s interior ministry on Sunday said its plans to tighten the visa system for foreign students would not damage the country’s universities. An alliance of chief executives from 16 universities has written to the interior minister, Home Secretary Theresa May, urging her to abandon plans to restrict the number of visas and impose strict English language requirements. Students represent almost two-thirds of non-European Union migrants coming to Britain. The government thinks the system is wide open to abuse, with obscure courses and colleges effectively offering a back door to settling in the country. “Any criticism can only be based on speculation as no decisions have yet been made on the changes to the student visa route,” a Home Office spokeswoman said. “However, universities that are confident in the product they have to offer genuine students should have nothing to fear from policies that root out abuses in the student visa system.” afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk