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Number of tier-four student visas to UK witnessed 27% increase: Bucknell

British deputy high commissioner Bruce Bucknell, on Tuesday, stated that number of tier-four student visas to United Kingdom have witnessed…

Number of tier-four student visas to UK witnessed 27% increase: Bucknell

British deputy high commissioner Bruce Bucknell

British deputy high commissioner Bruce Bucknell, on Tuesday, stated that number of tier-four student visas to United Kingdom have witnessed a 27 percent increase while announcing that Indian nationals can now apply upto three months in advance for their visa to avoid peak periods.

Addressing a Press conference, Bruce Bucknell, said “The tier-four student visas have seen an increase of 27 percent compared to the previous year. We granted over 14,000 tier-four student visas and at the same time around 5000 short-time study visas. Also, 53,000 tier-2 visas have been granted to Indian nationals.”

It was earlier reported that due to the tough immigration laws ~ a move by UK Prime Minister Theresa May to bring down the number of illegal immigrants ~ the maximum number of tier -four student visas issued was around 11,300 which was considered to be extremely low.

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Speaking on the issue, Mr Bucknell said, “This year the number has however increased upto 14,000 which I believe is a good indication. However, the tough immigration laws are only to check the number of illegal immigrants in UK. Their visas have expired and most of them have no reason to justify their stay in UK. Most of such illegal immigrants enter the country using student visas.”

Mr Bucknell, speaking on whether the term of stay for students in UK, after completing their studies to look for jobs, could be expanded, said, “We have already started a pilot project, in collaboration with some of the reputed universities, that enables a student to stay for another six months in UK after completing their course to look for a job. This pilot project programme is being extended to another 23 universities for September 2018-19”

“We want to track the best students from the reputed and top ranking universities. This programme will help students, who are studying in UK for long courses extend their stay. It will also depend on what students have been studying-course specific- over there. Once they complete it and join these universities, they will be able to stay longer and find proper jobs. But, we want people to strictly abide by the immigration laws and not take undue advantage of the facilities being extended to them.”

Meanwhile, Mr Bucknell, laying emphasis on some of the privileges that Indian nationals can now avail, said, “A small minority are not being granted visas which is often due to mistakes or inaccuracies in their application which can be easily avoided. We want to provide support and advice to applicants from Kolkata and across India to enable an easy, accessible and convenient visa application process.”

“In order to ‘Beat the Peak’ of visa applications, Indian nationals can now apply upto three months in advance for their visa. If someone wants to visit UK in mid-May, they can apply in mid-February. Applying outside of peak time means more appointment slots and relaxed process for the customer,” said Mr Bucknell.

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