UK targets student visas
Source: Agencies |
February 8, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITAIN is to tighten the rules on immigrants entering Britain on a student visa, the government said yesterday in a clampdown on a system some security experts say has been exploited by Islamists.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the crackdown was part of a wider campaign against immigrants who apply for student visas even though they intend to work.
The tighter controls could also help to tackle security concerns over militants who enter Britain ostensibly to study. Analysts have warned for years of a threat from Islamist militants based at British universities, including foreigners on student visas.
A senior Pakistani official in London accused the British government last year of failing to cooperate with the security screening of Pakistanis trying to study in Britain.
Last month it emerged that the Nigerian man accused of plotting to blow up a passenger plane over Detroit tried to re-enter Britain last April to study at a bogus college.
A Home Office spokesman would not confirm how many student visas are expected to be cut each year. Britain issued 236,000 student visas in 2008-09 and refused 110,000 applications.
Under the new rules, applicants from outside the European Union will need to speak better English and will face tougher restrictions on taking part-time jobs.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the crackdown was part of a wider campaign against immigrants who apply for student visas even though they intend to work.
The tighter controls could also help to tackle security concerns over militants who enter Britain ostensibly to study. Analysts have warned for years of a threat from Islamist militants based at British universities, including foreigners on student visas.
A senior Pakistani official in London accused the British government last year of failing to cooperate with the security screening of Pakistanis trying to study in Britain.
Last month it emerged that the Nigerian man accused of plotting to blow up a passenger plane over Detroit tried to re-enter Britain last April to study at a bogus college.
A Home Office spokesman would not confirm how many student visas are expected to be cut each year. Britain issued 236,000 student visas in 2008-09 and refused 110,000 applications.
Under the new rules, applicants from outside the European Union will need to speak better English and will face tougher restrictions on taking part-time jobs.
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