UK Visa Changes Could Chase off New Students

The UK has been working on changing up their immigration policies. This includes rules and fees on student visas as well. The changing of the rules is not what experts think will chase off new students, it's the rising of the student visa fees. The UK immigration minister, Phil Woolas, announced that student visas would be rising over 50% in cost. These new student visas will cost as much as £145 for 2009 and 2010. This is the first time in history that the cost of student visas has ever been this high. Experts have also noted that this is the first time in history that the cost of student visas has ever jumped up 50% in such a short time frame.

For the students that are already studying in the UK, they do not get a break either. If they choose to renew or extend their visa during this time they are faced with fees that can reach as high as £357. Many members of the high education organization have said that they are very disappointed in the decision to increase these fees for the international students. These places of higher education are still working hard to get students to choose the UK as a place of study over other areas.

The UK government points out that these changes do not just affect the international students that are wishing to study in the UK. These changes come along with a lot of other changes to the UK immigration system. The rise in fees has been applied to a lot more visas as well. This extra money coming in will be given to the UK Border Control to help tighten up its security.