New Delhi: The government on Friday said it has taken up the issue of UK student visa restrictions with British authorities.
"The matter has been suitably taken up with the UK authorities," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
While the post-study work visa has been closed from April 6, students who intend to work after their studies under the new measure now has to apply for a job with a licensed tier-II sponsor if they do so before their student visa expires, the Minister said.
Further, they can work only in areas commensurate to their field of study subject to a minimum salary threshold of 35,000 pound per annum.
Replying to a separate question, Sibal said foreign students studying in various Indian institutes has "reportedly crossed 21,000 in 2009-10" and the UGC has reported that enrolment of foreign students in the country is consistently increasing.
The University Grants Commission has advised all universities to create 15 per cent supernumerary seats in all department/courses whether technical or professional for foreign students, he said.
PTI
