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New measures for UK visa

11 February 2010 12:14 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Sumaiya Rizvi


Sri Lankan students will have to follow new measures when applying for a UK visa that is expected to come into effect by March this year, Spokesperson to the British High Commission Nadeesha Epasinghe told Daily Mirror online.

“These new measures are expected to come it to effect by March although it will not affect Sri Lankan students who are already visa holders,” Epasinghe said.

According to her students will be restricted in their working hours depending on the level of their educational program. Students studying on courses less than six months will not be allowed to bring dependants while students studying on courses below degree or foundation level will not be permitted to take employment in the UK unless they qualify in their own right in one of the many tiers, she added.

According to her these new regulations emphasize on student sponsors and university’s be accredited and licensed when bringing in International students. UK government will establish a "highly trusted sponsor program" that is expected to come into effect on 6 April, Epasinghe said. Only these highly trusted sponsors will be able to deliver a National Qualification Framework on courses and deliver work placement on courses below degree level, she added.

New measures for adult students will require an increased level of English language proficiency with the exceptions for overseas government-sponsored English language students and students on pre-sessional English language courses as preparation for full degree courses, she said.
Epasinghe said the current arrangements were made to encourage genuine students and prevent abuse by economic migrants enhancing the UK government’s commitment to crack down on potential abuse of the system.

These changes are part of a radical overhaul of the student system that began in March last year that required a licensed college to assure that students be able to support themselves before being granted a visa, Epasinghe said.


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  Comments - 18

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  • Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:15 PM

    We dont need Visa to UK ...We are Colonial Cousins !.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:00 PM

    Who wants to go to the UK ? We have our uncles like Mugabe, Chevez, Ahmadianjadi, the 'ding-bat' from Myanmar and the 'fruit-cake' from N. Korea ! They will all welcome us, with open arms !

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:37 PM

    yes these restrictions will bring more difficulties to the students from worldwide.heard 240000 visa's granted during 2009.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:34 PM

    I cannot blame UK for bringing in stricter rules. The few foreign Muslims they have are trying to bring in the barbaric Sharia Laws into the country and, perish the thought, make it an Islamic State.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:58 PM

    Ruwan, Please stop playing dirty politics.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:57 PM

    Forget Uk its a rubbish country,its overcrowded! EXPENSIVE!

    Want your children to have world class schooling then go to New Zealand 1 of the most respected countries and the only country not in a recession because its desirable exports, (meat dairy wool tourism),the best public healthcare system schooling and have universities occupying heavily in the top 40 world wide

    remember uk has almost 70 million people mainly whites nz isnt a white country it is a pacific country, just look at the nz all blacks rugby team, maori people own that country

    don't even talk about america and canada they are even worse, Aus known for their racism issues recently.

    If you are making a choice to leave SL during this uncertain time, please have nz on your list, i promise you will not be disapointed with that amazing country, Nz didn't disapoint me.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:46 PM

    Ruwan, pls dont comment on something you dont clearly understand, its only India, Bangladesh and Nepal in the visa black list and now its much easy for a Sri Lankan to get UK visa.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:17 PM

    Attempting to halt Asians takingover Brittain in the near future.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:28 PM

    UK is no more worthy place for higher studies. Such strict rules will help them (UK govt) to secure their motives such as foreign income. Students who go there now have to adhere to strict policies rather concentrate on studies. Even their education in ‘colleges’ are almost equal to A/L classes here or below if compared to Colombo schools. Universities better if it is located outside London (see their ranking on trusted source). Students should have to focus more on US, Canada, Singapore or Australia than UK. Simply UK not worth for money you pay!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:29 PM

    Sri Lanka is unofficially black listed by the western world as MR regim continue,for Sri Lankans it will be very difficult to travel or study in west, they may try Lybia oe Iran insted.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:13 PM

    I am with UK government. They should put on more and more restrictions to crack down these illegal migrants under the name of Students. Not only for UK ..have this for all other so called developed countries. I know what the majority of ppl does going there are students. I know how many get into trouble going there as students by sacrificing good life they had here in SL. I know one Civil Engineer, became a Sandwich factory worker, I know one software engineer became a taxi driver, they all flea the country expecting better education, better work opportunities.... but most of the hardly get better eduction even. Most of the colleges are having worst education facilities..

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:10 PM

    Sri Lanka is unofficially black listed by the western world as LTTE and Opposition political parties propagandas Foul.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:09 PM

    wow i wished i could make a living and studies in UK with part time employment. come on lets be honest... 80% of the students do take up full time employment in the UK. i dont blame them.. cos they've come to UK for greener pastures.. we all know that opportunities in SL are very remote i wouldnt say no but its limited.. if we look it in UKs point of view.. this something very necessary at this time of the hour... economy plunging and unemployment soaring and best of all the elections are around the corner..

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:04 PM

    Why Left some other countries such as China , Burma, Zimbabe ,North Korea

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:53 PM

    It is not the end of the road, there will be more to come for the Sri Lankans. As majority of the Lankan regardless of race opt chose overseas education due to lack of facilities and poor living conditions in our own country. Corrupt politicians are anwerable for this situation. But sadest part is that same bluders are committed even today and the poor people will have pay in different ways.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:45 PM

    Ok ! White Eastern Europeans are flooded and now Govt trying to filter all black asian and africans from UK. Good for you UK keep it up, after five years you will see white UK.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:42 PM

    hey Ruwan,
    This is not only become effect to Sri Lanka. System is for all the overseas students who willing to study in UK. So better comment with sense.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:36 PM

    i came to uk 4 yeras ago, most of my studies i manage by the earnings in the uk working part time and term time, now i am holding a management position after my studies, i was a genuine student, but imagine i am applying now under this new rule, my parents have to be Extremely rich, since the new scheme states that you need to have qualification even to do a part time job....well i am lucky..but i feel sorry for the student like me from sri lanka...becasue this helps only the rich not the middle class educated genuine students from sri lanka!!!!


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