Changes in UK visa rules quashed by High Court
by Christine M - July 13, 2010
United Kingdom, 13th July: The recently announced changes in the UK visa rules have been quashed by the High Court.
The changes in the UK visa rules introduced in March 2010 had forced English language schools to appeal in the High Court.
As per the rules announced by Alan Johnson, the last Home Secretary of the UK government, international students having beginner’s English and wanting to get a UK student visa for a period exceeding six months were prohibited to pursue study programmes in the UK.
Meanwhile, the changes in the UK visa rules were meant only for those wishing to enroll for elementary to intermediate courses. Those opting to study less advanced study courses extending up to a period of six months or less were allowed to get a UK student visa.
As of now, the High Court has brushed aside the announced changes in the UK visa rules as incorrect. The whole matter has been referred back to the parliament by Justice Foskett. He said that changes in the UK visa rules were not made through parliament.
The representative body of 440 English language schools and colleges in the UK, English UK, had challenged the decision of the UK immigration department in the court.
Labeling the ruling as totally absurd, disproportionate and extremely damaging to their enterprises, the chief executive of UK English language schools representative group English UK, Tony Millns said that it seems to be too illogical to know English for the students even before coming to the UK to study English.
Expressing his satisfaction over the decision of the High Court, Mr. Millns said that he is quite relieved and happy. He added that it’s good that Mr. Foskett saw the underlying merits of the case and also hopes that the decision is likely to prove fruitful for UK economy.
Each year, the English language sector provides revenue of nearly £1.5 billion to the UK economy.
The decision by the High Court will allow international students with low level in English language and desirous of studying English to come to the UK on UK student visas.
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