London: Britain has suspended student
visa applications from northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal
after an alarming jump in number of applicants, even as the
authorities fear that unscrupulous agents are preparing to
push thousands into bogus colleges in the UK.
The UK Border Agency today said in the last three
months of last year, there were 13,500 applications from north
India alone, compared with 1,800 in the same period of 2008.
British officials said the system has been overwhelmed
and there are concerns that many cases are not genuine.
Unscrupulous offers of visas as a way of settling in the UK
are not uncommon.
While extra checks take place, visa applications have
been temporarily suspended - a decision which will be reviewed
at the end of February.
Jeremy Oppenheim, of the UK Border Agency, said: "The
points-based system gives us the flexibility to act, to
maintain the integrity of the visa system, whilst processing
legitimate applications fairly, thoroughly and as quickly as
possible."
"We continually check and monitor all student
applications and education providers to ensure that they meet
the required standards. We will take tough action against
those who attempt to abuse the system."
The suspension of the applications follows recent
media reports that unscrupulous businessmen are helping
thousands of migrants from India and Pakistan to obtain a
place at bogus colleges in Britain.
PTI
