NVQ Student’s visa refusal overturned on appeal but questioned by Immigration Officers

“Are you pregnant?”, the Immigration Officer enquired when she landed at London’s Heathrow Airport.

NVQ student, Diane, eventually makes it to London after her entry clearance or visa was refused and later overturned by the British Embassy in Manila, following an appeal by Bison UK.

But on arrival Diane was forced to jump through some further hoops by UK Border Immigration Officers at Heathrow. She was questionned about her intentions to study and then she was sent to the medical section.

Fortunately, she was able to prove she had been examined in the Philippines and did not have to undergo an examination.

She was also asked by officers if she was pregnant – she is not!

The Filipina is taking NVQ Courses at Majestic College in the UK.

She received a warm welcome from the team and fellow students at the NVQ training Centre in Borehamwood, where she met fellow Pinoys. The college helped her with formalities such as opening bank accounts and applying for travel discounts.

She is on a student visa to study NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Health and Social Care – www.majesticcollege.org.

Immigration Adviser Bison UK has arranged her visa, appeal and paid work placement in a UK care home.

Visa appeals have been abolished for student visa refusals applying under Tier 4 in line with new ‘points based’ rules. Students refused entry clearance under Tier 4 of the points based system, which took effect on 31 March 2009, will now have their cases reviewed by an ECM (Entry Clearance Manager) under the new ‘Administrative Review’ system.

Refusals under paragraph 57 of the previous immigration rules will still be allowed a full appeal. Therefore, if your student visa application (VAF) was submitted before 31 March 2009, you should still have the right of appeal.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk