Government cuts foreign student visas in immigrant crackdown

Published on Sunday 7 February 2010 21:55

THE number of foreign students granted visas is to be slashed in a crackdown on abuses of the system.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson is introducing tougher rules which include demands that applicants speak passable English and a ban on dependants joining those enrolling for short courses.

As a result of the measures, tens of thousands fewer visas are expected to be granted – 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 ten for proving they can pay the fees and support themselves while in the country.

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

Mr Johnson said: "We created our points-based system so that we could respond quickly to changing circumstances when necessary to raise the bar students have to meet to come to the UK.

"We remain open to those foreign students who want to come to the UK for legitimate study. But those who are not seriously interested in coming here to study but come primarily to work – they should be in no doubt that we will come down hard on those that flout the rules."

The new rules are due to come into force imminently.

In an effort to protect jobs for British youngsters, students taking courses below degree level will only be permitted to work ten hours a week, instead of the current 20.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: "The student visa system has been the biggest hole in our border controls for a decade under this government, and ministers still seem to be floundering around trying desperately to correct their own mistakes."