Up to 500 foreign students of the crisis-hit London Metropolitan University (LMU) could be deported after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) reportedly determined that they had no legal right to stay in Britain because of problems with their visas.
It was not immediately known whether any of the 300 Indian students affected by the crisis was among them.
Last week, the government banned LMU from teaching non-European foreign students, accusing it of harbouring illegal immigrants in the guise of students.
UKBA officials responsible for enforcing visa rules were poring over details of the university’s more than 2,500 non-EU students to assess their eligibility.
Sources were reported as saying that between five and 20 per cent might have to be deported, depending on the seriousness of their offence. “They either have lapsed student visas, the wrong type of visas that don’t allow them to study here, or are studying without any visas. Some will be raided, detained and removed; others will be firmly asked to leave or risk being thrown out,” a source told The Sunday Times.
Legitimate students have three months — until at least December 1 — to find places in other universities or switch to a different category of immigration if they meet the requirements. Otherwise, they would be forced to return home or deported.
New non-EU students planning to travel to Britain to join a course at LMU have been advised to cancel their travel plans.
A notice on the university’s website said: “On Monday 3 September, we will email every affected international student with further information.”
The government has set up a taskforce to help the stranded students find alternative places. Universities’ Minister David Willetts said it was “important that genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own are offered prompt advice and help, including, if necessary, with finding other institutions at which to finish their studies.”
In a detailed guidance, the UKBA said: “You do not need to do anything immediately. We will write to you after 1 October. We will ensure that you have 60 days to make a new student application or to arrange to leave the U.K. This 60 days will start from the date we write to you. If you are a genuine student who meets the requirements to study in the U.K. under Tier 4 of the points-based system, the task force will try to help you to find another licensed education provider to sponsor you before your 60 days expire. If you are successful, you will then be able to continue your studies in the U.K. with this new education provider.”
Several universities were reported to have offered places to the affected students.
Keywords: U.K. Border Agency, London Metropolitan University, UK university, Indian students abroad, overseas education, visa deadline, Indian students in UK
I would agree with Mr.Sunny and Mr.Raju. Both are correct in what they say. To a great extent the Immigration system is full of loop holes that are being exploited widely by people who wish to abuse the system. Nobody is asking students from India to come to UK for higher study. It is the Indian student who is making that choice, for various reasons usually the prospect of a better job upon completion of an masters degree in UK. Many do not realize that the boom days of a UK masters is over. To make ends meet, they try all means of making money such as working more than the permitted 20hrs/week, thereby breaking the home office rule and doing jobs that they usually would not do in India. Students wishing to study in UK must think well before investing 15-20 lakhs of parents money before they realize that they might not achieve what they set out to achieve.
parents don't send childrens to u.k. for study and get job there.most
of the students completed m.sc.,at different universities in u.k were
either working in deptl stores or part time jobs in lower payment.they
could not able to return to india due to their high spending
study(about
rs. 20 laks)in u.k for completion of their study.pl advice the
students
to go to some other counties where they get good scholarsip and good
part time job and also good opportunity after study.
merely to get degree in u.k.,after spending more than 20
laks by way of loan is total waste.indian students in u.k., also can
comment on this please
uk government literally doing the robbery from international
students.while issuing the visa why don't they do all the checks and
they are not even supporting students this is ridiculous atleast
student should get their money back and its not acceptable to ask
students to get admission in other uni How its possible after facing
lot many problems students are coming here and they are not even
getting their degrees its just like to loose the money they are coming
here uk government becoming rich by the international students visa
fees NOT at all acceptable.very bad.
Please Email the Editor