New restrictions on NVQ students in manila

[gemini63]

IMMIGRATION MATTERS

UK Border Agency Restrict NVQ Students in Manila

By Charles Kelly

23 February 2009

VFS Global in Manila has today imposed further restrictions on NVQ students applying for visas to take up study places on courses in the UK.

The multi-national Zurich based Indian owned company is failing to cope with increased demand from Filipino students and has now placed the following announcement on its website:

The UK Border Agency International Group (UKBAIG) has recently decided to limit the number of NVQ Student applications it will accept at the British Embassy in Manila. In accordance with this decision, instructions have been given to our Commercial Partner, VFS, who operate the Manila Visa Application Centre, to put these restrictions into immediate effect. Our reason for doing so is the overwhelming increase in the number of visa applications that we have received over the past year. The volume rose to over 47,000 applications in 2008, which was an increase of 22% from the previous year . In order to ensure that all applicants are fairly dealt with we have had to make some temporary adjustments to our intake arrangements which are the subject of constant review by managers. An increase in Manila's staffing has been agreed for 2009 but it will take time for the new staff to arrive. It should be noted that this operational decision by the UKBA(IG) in no way reflects on the VFS' ability to cope with applications. UKBA(IG) has the highest confidence in VFS, as our Commercial Partner, to manage their business with the utmost efficiency.
Earlier this month, VFS Global singled out NVQ students limiting access to the processing centre to appointment only visits. Last week, with applicants unable to be seen until April, further curbs were imposed as appointments slots were restricted to just ten per day.

Full story - see Immigration Matters.

Immigration Matters Comment

VFS Global said that 47,000 Filipinos applied to come to the UK last year. We do not know exactly how many of those applicants actually obtained visas and arrived here, although figures show that the British Embassy in Manila declines around 20% of visa applications. However, if all 47,000 applicants had been granted visas, travelled to the UK spent just £2000 each, this would have boosted the British economy by just under £100 million pounds.

Overseas students are worth £8 billion to Britain and are directly responsible for thousands of British jobs in the educational sector. The last thing the country needs is the UK Border Agency and VFS Global blocking the flow of students and direct investment into the UK.

With the British Embassy in Manila now a regional hub, the Government must ensure they are adequately resourced to do the job effectively.

Tier 4, for students, of the points-based system is due start at the end of March. In light of these developments is it not clear that the UK Border Agency and Embassies are not yet ready for tier 4?

Visa sections are no doubt inundated with pre-tier 4 applications and need time to clear the backlog before the new system kicks in. The UK Border Agency should consider delaying the commencement of Tier 4 for until May or June. Rumours are already coming out of VFS Global that this plan could be in the pipeline.

If you would like to comment on the visa service provided by VFS Global in Manila you can do so by visiting their website: http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/

[joebloggs]

However, if all 47,000 applicants had been granted visas, travelled to the UK spent just £2000 each, this would have boosted the British economy by just under £100 million pounds.

and where do they get the £2000 from, some will get it working illegally, and so not be paying tax on it, some will be working more than 20 hrs a week, and also some will over stay costing ukba more than £2000 if they are caught and start going thru appeals process , form filling, police time, courts,, etc....

[darren-b]

and where do they get the £2000 from, some will get it working illegally, and so not be paying tax on it, some will be working more than 20 hrs a week, and also some will over stay costing ukba more than £2000 if they are caught and start going thru appeals process , form filling, police time, courts,, etc....

I am yet to meet a 'student' from the Philippines who actually makes a positive impact to the UK economy anyway. All the ones I know are working and sending money to the Philippines.

[joebloggs]

there is a rumour that from April 1st dependants will no longer be able to work.. i cannot see it happening but who knows..


but its crazy that a student can be sponsored by someone, and the student can bring their dependants, who can work , so in fact the student is dependant on their dependent ..

also for tier 1, i think its from next year, you need a masters degree minimum and also be earning £20k, why are employers here not prepared to train brits instead of importing workers,

[darren-b]

there is a rumour that from April 1st dependants will no longer be able to work.. i cannot see it happening but who knows..

In the current economic climate it would seem like a good way of making more jobs available for British (or European...) workers. Not sure though how many people would be affected and whether it would really be worth doing.

[joebloggs]

100,000s , many on hsmp, workpermits and student visas bring their dependents and are working

[darren-b]

100,000s , many on hsmp, workpermits and student visas bring their dependents and are working

The problem is I don't think the government would want to impact the HSMP/Tier 1 visa holders. Not sure about the work permit holders. The students are the easiest targets and wouldn't be a loss if they left because their 'dependant' could no longer work.

[Jay&Zobel]

IMMIGRATION MATTERS
VFS Global said that 47,000 Filipinos applied to come to the UK last year. [/url]

47,000 applied for student visa, all paid the student visa fees = surely a good SOURCE OF INCOME... Where do these funds go? Philippines or UK or all the UK Embassies around the world?

[darren-b]

47,000 applied for student visa, all paid the student visa fees = surely a good SOURCE OF INCOME... Where do these funds go? Philippines or UK or all the UK Embassies around the world?

It's not the amount of income that counts, it's the amount of profit - a reasonable proportion of the £99 per student visa is used to pay the costs of actually processing the visa including paying the application centres.

I believe that visa fees helps to fund the work of the UK Border Agency, which includes the protection of the Borders and the tracking of overstayers/illegal workers.