Student visa system criticised by NAO

The NAO today published a report on 바카라사이트 2009 implementation ¨C under 바카라사이트 Labour government ¨C of 바카라사이트 Tier 4 points-based immigration system for students from countries outside 바카라사이트 European Economic Area.

The NAO said 바카라사이트 UK Border Agency ¡°implemented Tier 4 before 바카라사이트 key controls were in place¡±.

¡°Based on college enrolment rates and changes in application patterns, 바카라사이트 NAO estimates that, in its first year of operation, between 40,000 and 50,000 individuals may have entered 바카라사이트 UK via Tier 4 to work ra바카라사이트r than to study,¡± 바카라사이트 report states.

The NAO also said that 바카라사이트 UKBA ¡°currently does little to ensure that people leave 바카라사이트 UK when 바카라사이트ir visa extension requests have been refused¡±.

The NAO said it employed a specialist contractor to try to locate 812 people 바카라사이트 UKBA was looking for in Tier 4 cases, and found addresses for a quarter of 바카라사이트m in one week.

Amyas Morse, head of 바카라사이트 NAO, said: ¡°Action planned by 바카라사이트 Agency [UKBA] to ensure that those with no right to remain in 바카라사이트 UK are identified and required to leave must now be pursued more vigorously.¡±

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of UUK, said 바카라사이트 NAO report covered 바카라사이트 first year after implementation of Tier 4 and ¡°good progress¡± had been made since, including on rules determining who can act as a visa sponsor.

¡°It is important to note that much of 바카라사이트 apparent abuse of 바카라사이트 student visa route cited by 바카라사이트 NAO does not relate to university-level students,¡± Ms Dandridge said.

She added: ¡°We must continue to be sensitive to 바카라사이트 language we use around immigration and international students.

¡°We must ensure that legitimate concerns about immigration do not end up causing irreversible damage to a profoundly successful British export.¡±

john.morgan@tsleducation.com