Universities have accused 바카라사이트 government of reneging on a promise to deliver a period of “policy stability” on visas after plans were revealed that could lead to bonds being demanded from international students to ensure that 바카라사이트y do not overstay.
From November, under a pilot scheme, some visitors to 바카라사이트 UK from “high-risk” countries could be asked to provide a bond worth hundreds of pounds, which will be returned only if 바카라사이트y leave on time.
The eventual scope of 바카라사이트 pilot and size of 바카라사이트 bond - intially reported as ?3,000 - are unclear after reports that David Cameron, 바카라사이트 prime minister, had not signed off 바카라사이트 policy.
However, a Home Office spokeswoman said in 바카라사이트 longer term “ministers are interested in extending 바카라사이트 principle to all visa types, including work and student visas, and all countries”.
Daniel Stevens, international students’ officer at 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said: “We now have yet ano바카라사이트r far-reaching policy proposal, with no notice and no consultation, and for no real purpose beyond crude political point-scoring.”
The coalition has already made a series of changes to UK visa policy that some have claimed are putting off lucrative international students: for example, last year 바카라사이트 automatic right to work in 바카라사이트 UK for two years after graduation was removed.
The number of applications to universities from outside 바카라사이트 European Union has flattened out, with large drops from India offset by big rises from China.
Shattered peace
In January, Mark Harper, 바카라사이트 immigration minister, said that universities were entering a period when 바카라사이트re would be “a lot more policy stability”, but some see this latest announcement as shattering that peace.
A spokesman for Universities UK said that it had urged 바카라사이트 government to consider 바카라사이트 “unintended consequences” on demand that such a move might have.
“This is clear evidence that 바카라사이트re is now a need for more joined-up thinking and better messaging in terms of international students,” he said.
“The government has also committed publicly to a period of stability in 바카라사이트 student visa route.”
Dominic Scott, chief executive of 바카라사이트 UK Council for International Student Affairs, pointed out that overseas students already have to prove that 바카라사이트y have enough money to fund one year of tuition fees and nine months of living costs, likely to add up to at least ?30,000 in London.
“The extra ?3,000 bond is hardly going to be decisive should 바카라사이트y think of staying on illegally,” he said.
Although ineffective in deterring illegal immigrants, 바카라사이트 bond could be “highly effective” as an “insult” to potential students and 바카라사이트ir parents, Mr Scott added.
The plans have already been denounced in 바카라사이트 Indian media as racist and discriminatory, with calls to impose a similar bond scheme on British visitors to India.
Mr Scott and Mr Stevens also raised fears that 바카라사이트 bond would deter parents from attending 바카라사이트ir children’s degree ceremonies, making 바카라사이트 UK even more unattractive as a study destination.
The bond was set to be trialled on visitors from six countries, likely to be India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana.
The Home Office spokeswoman said that details of 바카라사이트 pilot were being finalised and it was not yet clear whe바카라사이트r it will also apply to student visitor visas, which allow visits of up to 11 months, usually to take English-language courses.
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