India accounts for more UK student visa applications than any other country worldwide and following a rise in applications of more than 650% on the same period in 2008, the UK Border Agency has temporarily suspended UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa applications for the UK from Northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Over October, November and December 2008 there were 1,800 student visa applications received from Northern India compared to 13,500 applications over the same period in 2009, from Northern India alone. British officials in the countries concerned have said that the system has been completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications and concerns run high that many applications may not be genuine. And this concern is not misplaced as offers of visa as a route to permanent settlement in the UK are not uncommon in the areas where the suspension is in place.
Sir Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner in Delhi, takes this issue very seriously and will not allow any abuse of the system to happen. He has promised tough action and while the backlog of applications is checked all new UK Tier 4 Student Visa applications will be placed on hold until at least the end of February.
The UK Border Agency released the following statement:
“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 move to suspend UK Tier 4 Student visa applications has been mostly welcomed by the legal profession as combating illegal immigration; however, concerns have been raised about the impact on and inconvenience to genuine students. Many lawyers have raised concern that the suspension could lead to panic and with only the promise of a review at the end of February, the suspension could run indefinitely.
“The problem that we’re going to have is that the genuine students who want to come over for the universities they’re going to suffer as a result and they won’t be able to get here in time for their courses,” said one immigration lawyer.
More than 500,000 Indians visit the UK every year, among them tens of thousands of students.
Hi,
I’m shane.I applieed for tier 4 visa & refuse.The cause is ACCA not accredited with the college that i applied.But the thing is The college is A rated good college.
So what should i do next? Go for the review or fresah application.
College is London Trinity College
Please help me to sort out this.
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HI Daniel
can i request my Administrative Review Request through Email..
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as my tier 4 visa was denied
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hello, I have applied student visa from New Delhi for U.k on 24th September. I don’t know when I will get the visa. Can any one let me know till when I can expect ?
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Processing times (for August 2010) for British Embassy, New Delhi:
PBS Tier 4
2 days: 2%
3 days: 8%
5 days: 16%
10 days: 67%
15 days: 71%
30 days: 71%
60 days: 72%
90 days: 73%
120 days: 74%
As you can see, there is a strong possibility that your application will take some time to be decided.
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thanx daniel for responding…..
my college is LONDON EAST BAANK COLLEGE……and course is ICM diploma in business studies…… any info……please…..respond….. thanx..
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i don’t when will i get my visa for uk…..it has been 6 months plus….still ukba is doin nothin….. can any one tell me what to do and what not to do….. i may die waiting for it…. my all money is being investd in it…. my time is being wasted… how can such BIG develope nation do such terrible thing to poor students from poor countries who r seeking good oppertunities in uk and have put everything to get the uk visa……..
Ya like i said i amy die waiting for my uk visa ….can DAVID CAMEROON hear this….???? i applied on 29 dec 2009…… today is 21 july 2010 ….. till how much …how much…..HOW MUCH time to wait for it…. common UKBA. do something……. my life is hanging….between LIFE and DEATH…. i need to pay the interest for the loan i took …. if i withdraw also…. there is no option i can pay the interest…….COMMON UKBA….. This is not only my problem….. it of thousands poor students like me…
On behalf of all these students i beg u please do something ,,, GIVE US VISA…..
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Hi Jai
So sorry to hear your story.
What college did you apply to? Is it highly trusted now? I think applications backed by highly trusted sponsors are being fast-tracked.
I imagine all the delays are because of the backlog of applications.
Also what course are you studying? Is it at or above degree level?
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When will the ban in north india be lifted?
and can i apply in mumbai or elsewhere if the ban wont be lifted anytime soon???
plz tell asap
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Hi
The Tier 4 student visa ban in North India has been partially lifted for a while now. Applications for courses at degree level are being processed.
I don’t know about applying at another VFS centre. I imagine they would be enforcing this ban based on an applicant’s address.
Another reader Mohiuddin Zia, spoke with VFS who said that if you have a CAS issued by a Highly Trusted Sponsor, your sponsor can inform the British High Commision of your application and it will be accepted.
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Receiving of Tier4 application from Bangladesh has been suspended from 01.02.2010. could you please know me the expected date of withdrawal of suspension? Let me know as soon as possible
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Sorry Liton but I cannot predict the precise date the ban will be withdrawn. I am preparing a letter to request this issue to be raised during Prime Minister’s Questions.
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do u have any idea about when uk reopens its studentvisa servicein lathmandu..??
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