Crackdown on foreign student visas

Sun Feb 7 2010 12:19:58

The number of foreign students given visas is to be slashed as part of a crackdown on abuses of the system, it has been revealed.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson is bringing in tougher rules including demanding that applicants be able to speak passable English, and banning those enrolling for short courses from bringing dependants.

The tightening has been in the pipeline for several months, since Gordon Brown pledged a review in the wake of the Detroit plane bombing attempt.

Tens of thousands fewer visas are expected to be granted as a result of the measures - although the Home Office refused to give any estimate.

The "points-based" system was introduced around a year ago, requiring students to secure 40 points to come to the UK. Applicants are given 30 for holding a course offer from a college or university, and 10 for proving they can pay the fees and support themselves while in the country.

However, there has been criticism that the arrangements have allowed terrorist suspects and other would-be immigrants to gain entry into Britain, and simply stay on despite their visas being temporary.

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