Universities UK unhappy over poor quality UK student visa rules

The new UK immigration rules for foreign students have been introduced without having any formal consultations, the UUK (Universities UK) stated. Hence, it is being advised by the UUK to various educational institutes and providers not to apply for a becoming a highly-trusted sponsor under the present UK immigration rules.

The highly-trusted sponsor scheme has been introduced by the UK immigration’s UK Border Agency to help curb the red tape for various UK education providers. Another aim of this scheme by Home Office is to prevent abuse and fraud by economic migrants in the process of UK immigration.

It may be mentioned that the scheme was introduced on 6th April, 2010 and the last date for various higher education institutes in the UK to apply for highly-trusted sponsor scheme is 30th June, 2010.

Critics argue that highly-trusted sponsor scheme is an attempt by the UK home office to make UK universities do their(UKBA) work for them while one critic named the scheme as nothing but a ‘sword of Damocles’. 

The highly-trusted sponsor scheme has been referred by the UUK as having unclear documentation, stated Lord Avebury, spokesperson of Liberal Democrat Home Office, before the House. He said that changes in the UK immigration process were fundamentally flawed and wrong.

A common fear among critics is that poor quality of UK student visa rules could harm international reputations of UK universities and educational institutes if they fail to qualify for the basic requirements and do not become eligible for the yearly renewed status.

Under the highly-trusted sponsor scheme of UK immigration, sponsors need to ensure that the failure rate of international students pursuing courses should not be more than 3 percent. Also, the UK university officials need to conduct comprehensive checks to enquire about the background of prospective students. 

The Labor Party, meanwhile, is asserting that reforms introduced in the UK student visas is going to control immigration abuse as well as damage to reputation of UK educational institutes by bogus students and bogus colleges.