Visa issue: Indian students at London varsity given more time

The UKBA today published guidance to students affected by the revocation,including the advice that Indian students who have obtained visas and are preparing to travel to London for their courses starting from September “should cancel your travel plans”.

Under rules,students at a higher institute whose licence has been revoked need to transfer at another institute within 60 days. If this is not possible,they are required to leave the UK.

The UKBA said it will write to the Indian and non-EU students at LMU “after October 1”. The 60-day period will start from the date the UKBA writes to the student.

The expectation is that until then,genuine students will find a place at another institution to continue their courses. The UKBA said the affected students will be supported by the new taskforce formed after the revocation was announced.

The UKBA said in its guidance to the affected students: “A taskforce is being created,which will include the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE),Universities UK,the Department for Business,Innovation and Skills (BIS),the UK Border Agency and the National Union of Students (NUS)”.

It added: “This is starting to work with London Metropolitan University to support you. It will try to help appropriately qualified genuine students to find another education provider to sponsor them,provided they meet the requirements to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system”.