The Economist this week highlights the picking on
foreign students in the UK as a case of xenophobic populism ahead of the recent
cabinet reshuffle. Immigrants once again seem to be the political football and
the ones to blame. We hope the same narrow approach is not pursued here for
example in the review of the Student Work Concession (see below) and that we
continue to recognise the value of having foreign students study and work in
Ireland.
The UK Border Agency last month decided to withdraw the
London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor students from outside the
European Union. This means that the University is removed from the register of
licensed sponsors and students from outside the European Union are no longer
allowed to study at the university.
The University
has since issued a legal challenge to the withdrawal, refuting claims of systematic
failings and stating that
they have conducted stringent checks on their students in order to meet with
the published requirements. They also point out that there have been at least
14 substantial changes to UKBA's requirements in relation to their students in
the last three years.
The impact of UKBA’s revocation
is stark: up
to 2,600 continuing international students are affected and may face
deportation if they cannot find an alternative sponsor by 1 December 2012.
The dispute between UKBA and
London Metropolitan can be seen as part of a wider tussle between the UKBA and
international students as the UK government seeks to meet its election pledge
of reducing immigration to the “tens of thousands” during their term in office.
The most recent figure on net inflow migration into the
UK stood at 216,000, so there is some way to go.
The only way the UK can
realistically reduce the number so drastically is by imposing sweeping restrictions on foreign workers and students
who are the very immigrants that they need to hold on to. They make a valuable
financial contribution to the UK economy and are most likely to make a
beneficial impact; they keep several higher education institutions afloat and
help make the UK a global player in third level education.
The Economist cites a government
report that estimates earnings from foreign students to be around £7 billion a
year and that this could double by 2025. The revocation
of the license held by London Metropolitan could result in as much as a £30
million annual loss to the institution alone.
The UK approach, as the
Economist argues, is a nasty piece of populism driven for the most part by
political priorities.
Recent changes in our own
immigration system have seen a tightening up of the student visa regime (see
our previous blog
posts on this issue). According
to INIS, in 2011 the number of non-EEA national
students registered to study in the State was approximately 32,500.Broken down
by education sector, 37% of students were pursuing Higher Education (Degree
Programme) study, 29% were taking language courses, 23 % further education (non
Degree) courses and 11% other (e.g. accountancy, secondary school).There is reported to be a decrease of around 8% in the
numbers of international students in 2012.
The Department
of Justice have posted
their intention to review the Student Work Concession – this permits full time
non-EEA students to work 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per
week outside that. While INIS states there are no immediate plans to change
this, they do not that the current economic climate necessitates further
analysis of this concession.
We would guard
against any change to the current concession and any further tightening of the
student visa regime. Our own experience is that the work concession provides an
essential means for students to meet the significant costs of pursuing studies
in the State as a non-EEA student and to meet basic costs of supporting
themselves through their course of study. These students work hard, they pay
their taxes, they have valid permission to remain in the State. Any review must
therefore be properly informed by the many benefits of attracting foreign
students to Ireland and not any political populism borrowed from the UK.
Brophy Solicitors
12.09.12
UK Immigration Visa - Global Migrate
ReplyDeleteWe understand that Immigrating to the UK can be a stressful Experience, so here at UK Immigration Visa we remove that stress.
Keywords:-
UK Immigration Visa
Contact Us:-
Head Office (pre booked appointments only)
International House,
39 Great Windmill Street,
Piccadilly,
London
W1D 7LX
Tel: +44 (0)207 993 4762
Fax: +44 (0)207 691 7969
Email: headoffice@global-migrate.com
http://global-migrate.com/uk-immigration-visa.html
That was really sad! I am sure many students who want to study in other country will going to miss the opportunity to study there. Wish they can make a better solution regarding this issue. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStudent Visa Canada
Informative blog.It's really help for student who want to study in other country.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a sad news, I think students must check the information they provide so that we can avoid this kind of delays.Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteSyncVisa