Update on Suspended Colleges From Tier 4

Following our earlier post, UKBA Removes Institutions from the Tier 4 Sponsor Register, we can now provide our readers with an update on suspended colleges from Tier 4, covering some of the issues raised by our readers.

It appears that the UK Border Agency has unilaterally launched an exercise of review with over 50 colleges from the list of sponsors, which includes both big organisations and small colleges. It is likely that groups of colleges will continued to be audited by UK in this way in the future. The widespread view is that they will possibly suspend and inspect all colleges on the list eventually.

Suspension from the Home Office register of sponsors has come as a big surprise to many colleges. In fact, some tier 4 sponsors have never been inspected by the UK Border Agency since their original approval inspections in 2008 prior to tier 4 being launched and many schools and colleges have not been informed of any breach of UK Border Agency sponsor regulations.

The majority of schools and colleges who have been suspended from the UK Register of Sponsors have nothing to fear and are in fact confident they will be able to answer any queries raised by the UK Border Agency. The majority of licensed sponsors of education take great pride in their work and processes, often having stringent approval and tracking procedures in place. Many genuine equation providers on the sponsorship register whom we’ve spoken to welcome the chance to explain these procedures to the UK Border Agency Inspectors once again.

One issue to come out of schools and colleges having their sponsor licence suspended by the UK Border Agency, is the apparent lottery surrounding timescales for re-inclusion. There are several colleges who have been quite fortuitous and have been given early inspection appointments, sometimes as soon as 1 week after suspension from the Register. However, there are many schools and colleges who have not been so fortunate and have had to wait 3 – 6 weeks for an inspection and subsequent re-inclusion on the sponsor register list.

Many Colleges have gone through this procedure in recent months, and have had their Licence fully restored after satisfying the UK Border Agency inspection team.  Pending the outcome of the UK Border Agency’s enquiries, schools and colleges will continue with all of their activities in the normal way.

There is a lot of speculation surrounding what to do if you’ve already received your visa but the college or school has been suspended by the UK Border Agency before the student has travelled to the UK. Under the UK Border Agency regulations, students should be permitted to travel to the UK and begin their studies. However, we have heard from several students who have been refused entry to the UK at their port of entry, which is highly inconvenient and controversial. We recommend caution when considering travelling to the UK whilst your school or college is still under investigation by the UK Border Agency.

Another source of attrition is what should happen to students who have their visa application pending and find their school or college has been removed from the Register of Sponsors. According to UK Border Agency regulations, these applications should be put on hold by consular officials pending the outcome of the UK Border Agency Inspection Team’s findings. However, in some cases this has not happened and scores of students have had their visa refused for applying to a school or college which is not on the sponsor register. We hope that Entry Clearance Officers worldwide will be sufficiently briefed and re-trained to prevent this from happening in the future, although the author will not hold his breath!

If you have already applied and paid for your course and are awaiting your visa letter or Confirmation of Studies (from 22nd February) and your school or college is suspended by the UK Border Agency, you will have to wait until they are re-included before your school or college will provide you with the documents required for your visa application. Therefore please do not worry if you are in this situation – I suggest you remain in regular contact with your school or college to stay abreast of any change in circumstances and hopeful re-inclusion on the sponsor register.

The reason for this sudden spurt of activity from the UK Border Agency in this area is quite simple; the UK’s new immigration system and new Immigration Agency. The catalyst for many suspensions is the UK Press, frequently running ‘scare’ stories of ‘high numbers of bogus student and terrorists getting into the UK on student visas’ and the up-coming General Election, as the political party’s campaigns start.

If you are due to apply for a course of study in the UK then you should inspect more scrutiny from your school, college or education agent. You may find that your motive for studying in the UK may be more closely questioned and your documentation will certainly be more tightly scrutinised. Please don’t be frustrated by these checks and work with your education provider and/or agent to the best of your ability. And remember, if you are a genuine student coming to the UK then you should have nothing to fear.

Update on Suspended Colleges From Tier 4

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444 Responses to “Update on Suspended Colleges From Tier 4”


  • i applied for Malvern house college london

    please check the status

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  • Hello Daniel,
    My college is Goldsmith International Business College, and I have applied for my visa on 4 January 2010, and last date of joining my class is on 22 February 2010.I am getting worried about my visa.Is my college in Blacklist or canclled.
    So plz reply me if u have any solution.

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    • Hi Darshan

      Are you sure you mean Goldsmith International Business College and not Goldsmith International Business School?

      If it is Goldsmith International Business School, then as of 4 February 2010 it is included on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors and has an A rating.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Hello Daniel,
    My college is Goldsmith International Business College, and I have applied for my visa on 4 January 2010, and last date of joining my class is on 22 February 2010.I am getting worried about my visa
    So plz reply me if u have any solution.

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  • Hello,

    Thank you very much sir for your reply. I wish I can send to you my scanned visa letter so that you can see it. My school is Concept care college and my visa letter does not contain any terms and condition. They only indicate below on the visa letter this:This serves as your official receipt.Please retain a copy for your reference: Total Fees:GBP 3000, TotalPaid GBP 1500 ( although i only paid gbp 500) NB: of the Amount Paid for Registration GBP 500 is non refundable.

    It seems that I was tricked! no terms and conditions for fees and refunds and they let it appear that I have paid GBP 1500 ( but i only paid GBP 500) of which they said in non-refundable.

    Can i fight for this that my GBP 500 will be refunded even part of this.By the way I applied from the Philippines.

    Thanks,

    Susan

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    • Hi Susan

      Wow – so you’re college has been suspended from the Register since August 2009 right? That makes it quite a long time! Have you spoken to them about the status of their licence? And did you use an agent to find this school or find it yoruself? I imagine them overstating the amount of course fees paid may well have something to do with their suspension or withdrawl.

      I checked their website and their terms & conditions, but they mention no clauses related to refunds. You can view it here if you like: http://mycccollege.org/DetailCourses.aspx?id=54

      Were you informed that the £500 deposit was non-refundable, before you paid it? I’m no expert, but I imagine if this was the case then you’d have a reason to sue them. Allthough, you should always seek professional legal advice. Maybe as they know you are in the Philippines they think they can get away with this kind of thing? Shocking, really.

      Have a think about what I wrote and come back to me. I will ask our legal team for an unofficial opinion and if you wanted to take action in the future, we could talk about that more privatley over email and/or the phone.

      Daniel

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      • Hello,

        Please help or refer me to a legal team for an unofficial advise regarding my situation for refund from college.

        thanks!

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  • what is the status of alliance resource nvq training centre?

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    • Hi Vic

      As of 4 February 2010 alliance resource nvq training centre does not appear on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Hello Daniel,
    My college is Goldsmith International Business College, and I have applied for my visa on 4 January 2010, and last date of joining my class is on 22 February 2010.I am getting worried about my visa, I am an genuine student and have passed IELTS.
    So plz reply me if u have any solution.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • What do you think idiot you are GENUINE,if you are GENUINE student then why you don’t study at your motherland, one thing more IELTS is not a AIEEE exam okay friend….. for your knowledge ………in my PUNJAB everybody have hold this certificate with minimum 5.5 and maximum 8.5 bands

      ………….WE ALL JATT BROTHERS HAVE DESI IELTS………….

      GOVT. VISA DAVE NA DAVE SALA I LET JARUR KARNA ……………

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    • Hi Danish

      Have you heard anything about your visa application yet?

      If not you should contact your college and try to defer the start date of your course.

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  • Hi Daniel, is Goldsmith International Business School suspended or not.
    Please give me reply.
    Thank you

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    • Hi Danish

      As of 13 February 2010, Goldsmith International Business School is included on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors and has an A rating.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • I got my uk visa on the 14th of January. At that time Holborn College was there on the register. But after I heard about the license suspension by UKBA, I checked back the register and saw that Holborn College was removed. My classes is going to commence on 15th of February. I booked my flight on the 10th. Will I face any problem?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Hi Galib

      If you have a visa letter that you got before your approved education provider’s license was suspended, and have already been granted permission to enter the United Kingdom, but you have not yet travelled, the UK Border Agency will try and contact you to tell you not to come until they have resolved the suspension.

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  • Hello,

    My College was suspended last August 2009. Because of this reason my application was refused.I paid a registration of 500 pounds, now the college will not refund me any cent.Do i have the right to ask for a refund in this case as they are the reason why my application was refused.

    Hope you can answer my query. Thanks!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Hi Susan

      Sorry to hear about your problems. Are you applying from inside or outside the UK?

      You should check the terms & conditions of the school or college you applied to. However, most education providers operate on the basis that a full refund will be given if a visa is refused.

      So I imagine you do have a good case for a refund. You should get proper legal advice, but you may well have a case to sue them if they refuse to refund you.

      Write back to me with some more details and I’ll help you further.

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  • hello Daniel,
    i came to uk on 26th of jan2010. my college is suspended. i didnt enroled to my college yet bcuz i want to change my college now. plz tell me the procedure how can i change ma college now?
    waiting for your reply
    thanks

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    • Hi Tajammal

      Thanks for your email. We can help you to change college and also to find a new one. Changing college all depends on when you were first granted your student visa, details are below.

      If you reply with your contact details and a phone number I could give you a call to discuss changing college. Where do you want to study and what kind of course are you looking for?

      If you got your tier 4 student visa before 5 October 2009

      You will have to obtain permission from the UK Border Agency to change education provider. You can ask for this permission by sending an email to MigrantReporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk. You must include the following details:

      - the new sponsor’s name, address and contact details; and
      - details of the new course, including the start and end date; and
      - if the new course is shorter or longer than your current course

      The UK Border Agency will write to you confirming they’ve received your request. As long as they can confirm the following information, you will be given permission to change tier 4 sponsors:

      - your new education provider is currently licenced under the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors; and
      - your new school has accepted you and wants to be your new sponsor; and
      - your new planned course of study meets the necessary requirements to qualify under the Points Based System

      Once you have emailed the UK Border Agency with the above information and have received an acknowledgment from them you can actually start your new course without waiting for the result of your request.

      However, this is at your own risk as the UK Border Agency may well decide to refuse you permission to switch sponsors.

      If you fail to ask the UK Border Agency for their permission to switch sponsors you’re permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a student will be limited.

      If you got your tier 4 student visa after 5 October 2009

      It is much simpler to change education provider in this situation. You just have to make a new Tier 4 (General) Student visa application supported with a new visa letter of confirmation of acceptance for studies from your new tier 4 sponsor.

      You will not be able to start your new course until your new visa application is approved by the UK Border Agency. You are free to leave your current sponsor but do so entirely at your own risk, as the UKBA may refuse your application meaning you may not be able to return to your original course.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1

  • Dear ,
    i submitted my application in vfs on 20/10/2009,will i get my visa?
    LSM collage is suspended or not. Please let me know whether it will be reincluded or not.

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    • Hi Anil

      Do you mean London School of Management Ltd in Ealing? If so, as of 3 February 2010 they are included on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors and have a B rating.

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  • i submitted my application in vfs on 10/01/2010,will i get my visa?

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    • Imrul, if you satisfied all the other criteria of Tier 4 and the college is on the Register of Sponsors then you should have been granted your visa. Were you?

      Give me an update on your situation.

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  • i want to know is brit college is removed from tier 4 registered colleges list .

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  • hello sir
    i got my visa & m collage london sam is out from tier 4…so i had cancelled my travelling ticket…now what i have to do?

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    • Hi Akshay

      You should contact your college to defer the start date of your course and keep checking the Tier 4 Sponsors Register to see when London SAM is re-included on the register – you will be able to travel then. In fact, the UK Border Agency should contact you to explain this.

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  • Melborn college in uk is blaclisted or not ??

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  • HI im going to apply on feb 2. its st patricks college.i paid already

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  • Hello, i urgently need to know whether Holborn Coolege is suspended or not. This is very important for me to know… as i am a foundation year student in business and have just completed my first semester with good results. please let me know whether it will be reincluded or not,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Hi Ivy

      Holborn College currently is suspended, but that shouldn’t affect your day-to-day studies their. As long as the college’s sponsor licence is not withdrawn, you will not experience any problems, even if you need to renew your visa.

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    • Hi Ivy

      Holborn College’s Tier 4 suspension was lifted on 5 February 2010.

      How are your studies going at the college?

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  • Hi,
    Could u please inform me that London School of Commerce tire 4 license is cancelled or suspended by UK Home office or not? However my visa appointment schedule is near on 3rd Feb 2010. In that case I am worried for college. Pls late me know the actual situation of this College web address: www.lsclondon.co.uk
    I am ager to waiting for your kind reply through tahamim_tutul@yahoo.com
    Thanks, Tahamim Ahamed. Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • hi, you should read this update as your visa application will not be accepted

      http://ukinbangladesh.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/?view=PressR&id=21654945

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    • Hi Tahamim

      As of 8 February 2010 London School of Commerce (A Division of St.Piran’s School (GB) Limited does appear on the Tier 4 Sponsors Register and has an A-rating.

      However, as Fiona has pointed out your application may well be put on hold as you are applying for an area of increased attention. A review of the situation is expected end of Feb.

      Did you submit your application on the 3rd? How did you get on?

      Keep me updated with your situation Tahamim and good luck.

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    • Hi Tahamim

      Do you have an update on your situation?

      Are the VFS offices still closed in your region?

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  • Hi,

    Could u please inform me that London School of Commerce tire 4 license is cancelled or suspended by UK Home office or not?

    Please reply me on urgently

    Thanks
    Tahamim Ahamed
    Dhaka, Bangladesh

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    • Hi Tahamim

      As of 13 February 2010, London School of Commerce is licensed under Tier 4 and appears on the Register of Sponsors.

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  • UKBA remove the list of following tier 4 sponsors from Tier 4 Sponsors List on 20/01/2010. The list was compared with the list published by UKBA on 24/12/2009.

    List of Suspended Sponsors:

    AA Hamilton College London

    Albion College

    Alpha Meridian College

    Anglian College London

    Anglo-Continental

    AVALON SCHOOL OF ENGLISH

    Badminton School

    Bliss Services UK Ltd T/A Bliss College

    Britannia College of Excellence

    Cavendish College London

    College of Venereal Disease Prevention

    Commonwealth Law College

    eCollege london Limited

    Edgware Academy

    EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT COLLEGE

    EF International Language Schools Bournemouth

    EF International Language Schools (London)

    Eltham College

    ETC International College

    Futures College (Barking)

    Warnborough College

    Williams College UK Ltd

    UKBA today suspended other 42 tier 4 sponsors or colleges. The list is extracted comparing with the list of 20/01/2010. You may view the following list of suspended sponsors:

    Archbishop Ilsley Catholic Technology College

    Aylesford School

    Barry Comprehensive School

    Belgrave High School

    Bishop Challoner School

    Blessed George Napier School

    Blue Coat Church of England School & Music College

    BRYNMAWR FOUNDATION SCHOOL

    Chosen Hill School

    Coombe Dean School

    Dartford Grammar School for Boys

    Denes High School

    Estover Community College

    Finham Park School

    Girls’ Education Co Ltd

    Kaplan Aspect Leicester Square

    Kaplan Aspect Oxford

    King David High School

    King Street College

    Matthew Boulton College of Further & Higher Education

    Monk’s Walk School

    Newcastle College

    PORTSLADE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 6TH FORM

    Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College

    Shimna Integrated College

    Simon Balle School

    St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School

    St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School

    St Mary’s Wrestwood Children’s Trust

    TASMAC UK Ltd.

    The Brakenhale School

    THE BROXBOURNE SCHOOL

    The Chauncy School

    The Netherhall School & Sixth Form Centre

    THE SIR JOHN COLFOX SCHOOL

    TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL

    Tollbar Business and Enterprise College

    United College Ltd

    Upton-By-Chester High School

    Victoria College Belfast

    West London Business College Ltd

    Westlands School (Mathematics and Computing College)

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    • Hi

      Could you please tell or check if Williams College has been removed from the Tier4 list????

      Or is it still suspended?

      Thank you very much.

      If it is suspended, I have to travel to my country for my grandmothers death, it is just for 4 days, would they let me back in if my college is still suspended????

      please tell me!

      thank you very much!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Hi Chris

        As of 13 February 2010, Williams College is still suspended from the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors.

        The UKBA does advise students not to travel if their sponsor’s licence is suspended.

        To discuss the precise details of your individual case you should also consult a fully qualified and regulated immigration lawyer. Find one near you at the

        oisc.gov.uk/

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    • Great post, thanks Tamilarasan.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1

    • TASMAC UK Ltd. Tier 4 Licence suspension lifted 17 March 2010. It has been re-included on the Register with a B-rating.

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  • hi friends i am student from Nepal.I have applied in AA HAMILTON COLLEGE collage london i want to know is this collage suspended or blacklisted and what will happen to my document which i have submit to british high commision

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Hi and thanks for your comments.

      As of 8 February 2010 AA Hamilton College does not appear on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors and appears to be still suspended.

      Your visa application should be placed on hold by VFS until your college’s suspension is lifted. We’ve found it is taking schools and colleges from 3-6 weeks to several months to resolve the issue.

      I have asked the college for a press release surrounding the issue and will post anythihg I receive in reply.

      Keep me updated about your situation and good luck.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  • Hello,
    My college is Rayat London College, and I have applied for my visa on 31 December 2009, but my college got suspend on 19 january 2010 so now my visa’s file is on hold/under process as such I am getting worried about my visa, I am an genuine student and have passed IELTS with 6bands, so plzzzzzzzzz reply me if u have any solution in my case.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

    • Hi Ravindu

      I totally understand your frustration. As you pointed out your visa application will be placed on hold until your college’s suspension has been resolved, so I’m afraid you’ll just have to be patient and wait it out.

      Have you spoken with the college to get an update from them? you should also stay in contact with them so you can defer the start date of your course.

      As long as you meet all the other criteria of Tier 4, you shouldn’t have any problems.

      I have contacted Rayat London College for a press release regarding the issue and will post anything I receive in reply.

      Keep me posted on your situation Ravindu and good luck.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Is there any 1 can help me, 2 get suspended college list.

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  • Dear, please update the list of college what UKBA removed from their list.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

  • hi friends plz help me i am student from Nepal and I have applied in anglian collage london for my further study so i want to know is this collage suspended or blacklisted it yes tell me why and when it will open and what will happen to my document which i have submit to british high commision

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    • sorry prakash i cant found your college in list so please you can contact your educational consultancy.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2

    • Hi Prakash

      As of 29 January 2010, Anglian College is not on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if it has been permanently removed from the register. You will just have to keep checking to see if it is re-included. You can do so here: Tier 4 Sponsors Register.

      Your application for a Tier 4 (General) UK Student visa should be placed on hold by the embassy, until the UK Border Agency Inspection Team reports their findings. Regardless, you will not be able to travel to the UK whilst the college’s sponsor licence is suspended.

      I’d suggest you remain in regular contact with the college and find out if they’ve had their inspection yet. You should obviously tell them that you’ll need to defer the start date of your course, which they should have no problem doing.

      Let me know how you get on and look forward to hearing from you soon.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

    • namesta sathi.
      plz plz dont try for this collage.this college is not only in black list it is already suspended. ma pani hajur jastai student ho, aila uk chu. yaha ma lagayet aru sabai nepaliko behal bhayako dekhda nepal samjare runa bahek aru kunai bicalpa dekhdina. hami jasto student ko lagi yaha na ta kam paiencha na ta ramro padai. paila ko condition ramro theyo, bt aila ko halet herda ta yaha uk ma tyo pani student visa ma ta mero satru pani na aawos jasto lagcha. maila arko nepali la dukha napawos bhanara hajurli naaaunu bhanako ho . yaha bhanada dherai ramro canada cha . so canada try garnu dherai ramro hola, bt chitto garnu kinaki dhelo garyo bhana pachi canada pani testai huncha.
      nepali dukhi

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

    • hi prakash bhai..its very sad to tell you that anglian college 4 which yu hav applied is also blacklisted by uk border agency. many colleges hea r in the same condition. and i can c many nepalese students ( other international students) fearing abt their visas!! yaha aayo bhane ta paap huncha bhai..nepali haru ko ruwabasi chaldaicha aile..na kaam cha….na college ..police ko van dekhna sath sabai ko hos hawas nai jane bhaisakyo..khai k garne.?? tapaiko ramro ko lagi chai yu better stay in nepal n continue yur studies. i think it wud b better fr yu..nepal mai basera ramro padhyo bhane ramro huncha hai…..trust me…!! anywaz… gud luck fr yur future..takecr…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2

    • Hi Prakash

      Unfortunately all applications from Nepal are still currently suspended. I hope the authorities will review the situation at the end of March.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

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