NIGERIAN STUDENTS IN UK TO BE BANNED FROM WORKING, FORCED TO LEAVE
Foreign students, of
which Nigeria accounts for a huge chunk of those coming from Africa, are to be
banned from working in Britain under a fresh crackdown on immigration ordered
by Home Secretary Theresa May. When their courses finish, they will have to
leave the country before reapplying to return for a job.
Ministers say the new rules, which will apply to all those from outside the
European Union, will stop colleges being used as a
“back door to a British work visa”.
Official figures show that 121,000 non-EU students
entered the UK in the 12 months to June last year, but only 51,000 left – a net
influx of 70,000.
The government also estimates that the number of
foreign students coming to the UK will rise by more than 6 per cent a year up
to 2020. Home Secretary Theresa May has taken action against 870 bogus
colleges, banning them from taking foreign students.
They want to stop student visas being used as an easy
way to enter the UK before getting a job and claiming benefits. Under the new
rules, non-EU students will be denied the right to work while in the UK and
will not be able to apply for a visa extension when their course finishes.
Students will have to leave the country before
applying to return under a work visa.
The length of stay is also expected to be cut to
two years when the plans are unveiled this week.
But universities have warned that any clampdown
could damage the sector and business leaders are also wary of the move, warning
it could rob Britain of vital skills.
DailyMailUk reported that Seamus Nevin, head of
employment and skills at the Institute of Directors, said: “The Home
Secretary's proposals to eject foreign students after graduation are misguided
and would damage the British education system, our economy and global
influence.
“Britain already makes it difficult and
artificially expensive for international students to enter and stay, and now
these proposals would eject them ignominiously when their studies are finished.
“Restricting talented workers from staying on in
the UK would damage business and lead to a loss of important skills. Shutting
the door to highly-trained international graduates at a time when our economy
needs them most would be hugely damaging for UK businesses.
“In the interest of our education sector, our
businesses, and our international standing, the Home Secretary should
reconsider this proposal.”
-Thisday
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