Report Shows Britain is Losing Tens of Thousands of Overseas Students

It now seems that, due to the point-based emigration system in the UK, which is aimed at rooting out terrorists, is being blamed for delaying the visas of genuine students that wish to study in the UK. This means that Britain is actually losing tens of thousands of overseas students as a result.

Now this brings up the question of why the UK should be concerned about overseas students not making it to the UK? Well overseas students are part of a £8.5 billion a year economy boost for the UK. The delays on student visas are apparently being blamed on errors and obstructive behaviors by emigration officials, according to a new report.

This controversial point-based emigration system, which was actually introduced back in March, is designed to crack down on fake students and to prevent terrorists from entering into the country. However, a study has found that emigration officials working for the UK Boarder Agency are misinterpreting the new rules and refusing visas to genuine students. Some have been so obstructive, that they have caused students to not want to study in Britain at all. This could end up hurting a UK economy, which is already having problems.

Apparently, according to Home Office Figures, overseas students do contribute £8.5 billion a year to the British economy, and their fees amount to about 8 percent of the total income of British universities. Thus, by turning away these students the UK threatens a huge source of revenue and could even threaten universities from being financially stable. It may even undermine the country's international reputation for higher education.