Home Office to Cut Down on Number of Visas Offered

New announcements from the Home Office state that they will be cutting down on the number of visas that are offered. On top of this, these few visas will only be given to those who are able to speak passable English.

The number of student visas could be cut by tens of thousands under this new rule. This would make it even harder for people to enter the UK. Those who are seeking to study in the UK will have to speak passable English. Also, students enrolling on short courses are banned from bringing dependents.

This new rule, which does not require legislation, comes into effect as of immediately. The changes follow criticism of the government's new point based system, which came into affect last year. Prospective students will have to speak English to a level just below GCSE standards. In a move designed to protect jobs for British youngsters, students taking below degree level courses will only be permitted to work 10 hours a week instead of the current 20.

People who are taking courses that last less than six months will not be allowed to bring dependents. The dependents of students on below degree level courses will not be allowed to work. Student visas for below degree level courses with a work placement will also only be granted for institutions that are on a new register.

The Home Office did refuse to give an estimate in the drop in the number of visas it expects to grant due to the new rules. Alan Johnson from the Home Office said that they created their point base system so that they could respond quickly to changing circumstances when necessary to raise the bar students have to meet to come to the UK.