May cracks down hard on student visas
By politics.co.uk staff
Theresa May came down hard on the student visa system today, in a move which could see 70,000-80,000 less people entering the country each year.
The home secretary significantly increased the requirements on students to speak higher levels of English and tightened up rules allowing students to work for two years after their degree.
“It has become very apparent that the old student visa regime failed to control immigration and failed to protect legitimate students from poor quality colleges,” Ms May told the Commons.
Education centres will need to be accredited by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) before sponsoring students, under the plans.
Sponsors will be vetted by the authorities in a bid to crack down on bogus colleges. The evidence of financial means is to be strengthened.
Requirements for applicants from low-risk countries will be streamlined while those for high-risk countries will be toughened up.
Upper-intermediate English will be required for degree-level courses, and intermediate for lower level courses.
UKBA staff will be able to refuse entry to students who cannot speak English without an interpreter.
“Let me be clear – you need to speak English to learn at our education establishments and if you can’t we won’t give you a student visa,” Ms May said.
Only post-graduate students will be allowed to bring dependents.
Significantly, the post-study work route will be hugely tightened up. Currently students can work for two years after their degree.
Under the home secretaries’ plans, the work would be restricted to skilled graduate jobs offered by employers licensed by UKBA.
“By severely restricting the ability of international graduates to put their skills into practice and contribute to the UK economy the Home Secretary has removed a huge incentive for talented students to the come to the UK, bringing with them much needed funds and knowledge,” Aaron Porter, NUS president, said.
“It is clear that the consensus opinion from students, universities and business that her original proposals would be disastrous if implemented have forced her to water them down. However, the home secretary has still risked a highly profitable export industry by choosing one easy target in her quest to arbitrarily reduce immigrant numbers.”
