Labour’s Baroness Blackstone said the country risked being in a “very unfortunate position” when it came to attracting lucrative overseas students – worth billions of pounds to UK universities.

Her concerns were echoed by several peers at question time in the House of Lords, but Home Office minister Lord Henley said latest UCAS figures showed a 13% increase in university applications from students from outside the European Union.

Lady Blackstone said: “Some bona fide institutions – universities – have lost as many as 20% of their overseas students, particularly from India.

“The restrictions on employment when graduating will put us in a very unfortunate position compared to our main competitors the United States and Australia, which have much more generous arrangements for students who wish to work for a temporary period when they graduate.”

Last year’s changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April is already deterring Tier 4 students form India, which is one of the biggest markets for UK universities.

Labour Viscount Hanworth, a professor at Leicester University, said it was “inappropriate” to treat students along with other immigrants.

He told peers: “The measures designed to combat bogus institutions are also having a severe effect on reputable institutions in the higher education sector. Under normal circumstances, without the impediments created by the Government, their numbers would be expected to follow a steeply upward trend which would be highly profitable for the UK.”

Lord Henley told peers it was right to “clamp down on bogus institutions” that were being used “merely as a vehicle to get round immigration rules”.

He added: “It might be that there are some particular institutions that have lost out but we have seen proportionate increases elsewhere.”

He acknowledged there had been a fall in applicants from the Indian sub-continent, but added: “There have been areas where there have been significant rises – particularly Australasia where there has been an increase of some 20% and Hong Kong 37%.” Source: Press Association.

It is not only the universities which are feeling the cold this winter. Last week the Centre Forum think tank warned that the government’s policy to cut immigration is having a devastating effect on private higher education where enrolments to some colleges had fallen by as much as 70% and many other institutions had gone bust.

Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.

“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.

Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.

She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial pressures.

In order to continue their studies in the UK, an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.

See also:

UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal

UK Immigration crackdown on Tier 4 students sees 70% fall in applications to private colleges

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns

MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED

HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS

Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes

New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student

Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

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

Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.

“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.

The report quotes Dr John Sanders, who was principal of London’s Cavendish College until its closure as an independent college this month.

“I find it incredible that the UK Border Agency considers the likes of Cavendish College to be a threat to immigration control,” Sanders said.

“There is now an enormous disparity in the treatment of international students in the private sector compared with those in public colleges and universities. The government clearly does not care how it reaches its net migration target.” Source: City Am.

UK Universities appear to be the beneficiaries of the private sector’s demise, with applications from non-EU students rising against a declining trend in the number of resident students, according to UCAS figures revealed this month.

For instance, in order to continue their studies in the UK an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.

Earlier this month Immigration Matters reported that UK universities had seen a 13.7% increase in applications from overseas students from non-EU countries, despite changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April.

Immigration Matters has received hundreds of comments and emails from Tier 4 students who have been left stranded, and often broke, after their college had closed down or been removed from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register or ‘Register of Sponsors Licensed Under the Points-based System’.

Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.

She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial reasons.

‘The first thing to do is seek professional advice rather than panicking or hiding. Also talk to your college and find out exactly what is their status, as only they, the regulator and the UK Border Agency will normally have this information. There is no official list of suspended or revoked colleges published by the UK Border Agency, and websites which claim to publish lists of suspended colleges are usually out of date or publishing inaccurate and often misleading information.

‘If your college has been suspended from the Tier 4 sponsors register you can continue studying until they get their licence back or your visa expires.

‘However, if their licence has been revoked you will normally be given 60 days in which to find another Tier 4 sponsor.

Cynthia adds that many of the students have paid for courses in advance and do not have enough money left to prove maintenance in order to apply for a new visa.

Others are affected by the ‘3 year rule’ because they have failed to complete a course or make satisfactory academic progress with their previous college.

In some cases this is because the college has closed and the student can no longer obtain a progress report, but sometimes it is the fault of the student who has not taken the course seriously or has run away without paying their fees.

Finally, Cynthia reminds Tier 4 students that they must be studying to legally remain in the UK.

‘I have come across hundreds of students who have not yet registered with another college, are not in full time study, but have continued to work illegally.

‘If you get caught you will be deported and banned from returning to the UK for up to 10 years, and your employer could be fined up to £10,000.’

See also:

UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns

MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED

HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS

Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes

New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student

Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

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

Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) writes:

450 colleges had their ‘trusted sponsor’ status revoked in the past year. This affects around 11,000 overseas students. Much is being said in the media about the immigration abuses of student visas, but the coverage forgets the real victims of this headline figure – the students.

Colleges who have their licences revoked are not all ‘bogus’, as the red top papers would have us believe. There’s been a constant scrutiny of such institutions for a number of years now. Colleges denied the chance to recruit international students face financial oblivion, and many close leaving students stranded in the middle of their studies.

I’ve had a couple of meetings with a group of students who have been left high and dry by two main factors. Firstly, they studied at a college run by rip off merchants who were happy to take large amounts of cash in the form of tuition fees, who then filed for bankruptcy. Secondly, they’ve been let down by an immigration system that offers no support or protection to students in this situation.

Academic scrutiny

Immigration law generally limits permission to stay to 60 days if a student’s course ends earlier than expected. As such, this means that a student has 60 days to find another college after their one closes.

Whether a college is licenced to issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) certificates  is decided by UKBA on three criteria: the human resource systems of the college, the civil penalties, and criminal convictions of the staff and any non-compliance by the organisation. There is no academic scrutiny of the college and no financial safeguards offered to students who choose to study there.

Perhaps an example best explains the situation.

Zara (not her real name) from Bangladesh came to study in the UK. Like so many students across the world, she was keen to improve her understanding and language skills by studying in another country. She’d seen adverts about London Trinity College, knew about the quality of education in the UK and applied. On the college website, it stated that the institution was a recognised sponsor in the eyes of the UKBA, which she found reassuring. The college was indeed listed on the UKBA website as a sponsor. They issued her with a CAS and was issued with a student visa.

Fees

Zara paid fees of £8000 to cover tuition for her ACCA qualification in accounting. But the financial demands weren’t quite so simple. She had to prove to UKBA she had enough money  in her bank account to maintain herself for a year –  £9600 to be precise. Borrowing the money from her parents and a little more from her extended family, she arrived in the UK, found lodgings and started her course in accounting.She was disappointed to find her ‘college’ was set up in a closed down grocery store. But, they taught the course and she thrived as a result of her hard work.

One day Zara turned up to college one day to find it closed. Meeting other students outside they did some quick research and found the college had gone into voluntary liquidation. None of the students were able to get their money back.

On seeking advice Zara and the others discovered that unless they found a college that would accept them within 60 days, paid the fees to the new college and reapplied for a visa, they would be in the country illegally.

Zara and her family could not afford a second set of fees. Additionally, few colleges are willing to accept international students mid-course as they have to use up their valuable CAS allocation for less money than a student studying a full year.

The Government and media stoked hysteria on ‘bogus’ students and ‘bogus’ colleges does wonders for helping to massage the figures on net immigration and appeasing public perceptions on immigration, but it does nothing to help the real victims of the situation – overseas students left in the lurch by colleges and the UKBA.

Financial benefits

Overseas students bring billions of pounds of trade and education revenue to the UK each year. Cuts in funding mean that universities and colleges are more dependent than ever on the fees paid by international students to keep courses open and education provision intact.

A stamp of approval from the UKBA has helped thousands of students decide to study at institutions which have dubious academic track records. Revoking trusted status may stop further abuses in the future – but what about those left in limbo now? Source: JCWI.

The UK Border Agency has implemented significant changes to the Tier 4 student route of the points-based system, which came into effect on 4 July 2011.

The Government implemented major changes to the Immigration Rules relating to Tier 4 students who want to study at private colleges in July.

The changes:

• restrict work entitlements, by only allowing students sponsored by higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacations;
• restrict sponsorship of dependants to those of students sponsored by HEIs on postgraduate courses lasting 12 months or longer, and of government-sponsored students on courses lasting longer than 6 months;
• require institutions to confirm that courses represent genuine academic progression from any previous courses studied by the student in the UK; and
• create a streamlined application process for low-risk nationals sponsored by Highly Trusted sponsors.

The Home Office recently revealed a drop of 11,000 overseas students since tougher measures introduced this year. UK Universities warns that not only is the government’s action damaging Britain’s reputation, but was also responsible for 400 private colleges effectively opting out of the new Tier 4 sponsoring system.

The Universities UK action issued a warning about Britain’s reputation in education after new figures revealed that the government’s curb on overseas students had reduced their numbers by 11,000 and led to more than 450 colleges pulling out of the market, the Guardian reported earlier this month. 

A spokesman for UK University Services (UKUS) said that ‘unfortunately many international students are being deterred from choosing British colleges and universities due to rule changes, the abolition of the PSW post study work visa as well as all the rumours and stories of the bad experience suffered by their fellow countrymen whilst studying in the UK’. 

English UK, an association representing 450 language colleges, demanded an apology from the Home Office claiming their remarks implied institutions were fronts for illegal immigration.

The Home Office has been threatened with legal action amid claims it mistakenly implied that 22 colleges were bogus or sub-standard.

The combination of new UK Border Agency ‘Highly Trusted Sponsor’ regulations introduced this year and the new Tier 4 student visa rules, has increased costs whilst wiping out the market for smaller private education providers – hence the 400 closing their doors or simply opting out of the new Highly Trusted regime.

Last month more than 650 Tasmac College students were left stranded without a college when the University of Wales (UoW) accredited college went bust.

Students affected by the closure of their college should remember that new Tier 4 visa rules apply to students applying to private colleges after 4 July 2011.

Bison UK Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker said:

‘This means that if you renew your visa for a private college or change college after 4 July 2011, you will not be able to work and you will not be able to sponsor your dependant.’ 

The new rules do not affect Bulgarians and Romanians coming to the UK on Yellow Card registration permits to work and study on vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care. 

See also:

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

Tackle visa abuse, but not at the cost of genuine students say Universities UK

Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns

‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ says bankrupt Tasmac College director to the 650 students who have lost £7500 in fees

MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED

HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS

New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

For free immigration news updates, please visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk  or email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk 

Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

500 foreigners landed a job in Britain every day over the past year while the number of UK-born workers fell. But many employers, such as Greengrocer Keith Abel, were forced to employ foreign-born workers because his popular firm, which delivers organic groceries, struggled to find young British people to fill vacant positions.

Raising the amount husbands must earn to £26,000 would disqualify two thirds of immigrant brides, according to government watchdog MAC

As many as 40,000 foreign wives, husbands and partners were granted visas to join their family in the UK last year, but new minimum salary proposals would mean that two thirds of foreign wives could be banned from the UK under plans to stop immigrants becoming ‘a burden on the state’.

Former UK Borders Chief Brodie Clark defends his position saying ‘I’m no rogue’

The former head of the UK Border Force Brodie Clark has told MPs he is “no rogue officer”…

UK Immigration Officer illegally issued visas for cash

A UK Border Agency immigration officer has admitted to illegally issuing visas to non-qualifying immigrants allowing them to stay in the UK. Samuel Shoyeju, 53, of Namur Road, Canvey, Essex, worked as an entry clearance officer in Croydon for the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office.

Tier 2 Shortage Occupations List changes start today

The UK Border Agency has announced that Tier 2 changes will come into effect from today.

Rents level out as more students start, but numbers of overseas applications for UK universities down

Rents for new student tenants appeared to drop across the UK, including London, last month – but seasonal variations were entirely responsible, Landlord Today reports.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk 

Majestic College offer special packages for EU students. They also have a number of employers looking for staff right now and are willing to employ Bulgarians and Romanians.

For more information call Joanna on 0208 207 1020 or email info@majesticcollege.org

The UK Border Agency has published its response to Brodie Clark’s statement of 8 November.

Tackle visa abuse, but not at the cost of genuine students say Universities UK

In a blog for the Guardian this week, Nicola Dandridge of Universities UK warns that tough talk on immigration will frighten away the talent our colleges need.

Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns

As the Home Office reveals 11,000 drop in the number of overseas students since tougher measures introduced, UK Universities warns that not only is the government’s action damaging Britain’s reputation, but was also responsible for 400 private colleges effectively opting out of the new Tier 4 sponsoring system. The new rules do not affect Bulgarians and Romanians coming to the UK on Yellow Card registration permits to work and study on vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care. 

English UK seeks apology from Home Office over ‘bogus colleges’ claim

English UK, the association for 450 language colleges, seeks apology saying remark implied institutions were fronts for illegal immigration.
The Home Office has been threatened with legal action amid claims it mistakenly implied that 22 colleges were bogus or sub-standard.

UK Border Force Chief Brodie Clark quits claiming constructive dismissal against Home Secretary

The head of the UK Border Force has dramatically resigned after being blamed for letting thousands of foreigners into the country without proper checks, the BBC reports.

Restrictions on Romanian workers in the UK labour market are ‘discriminatory’, says Keith Vaz MP

On 22 October 2011 at the London Embassy of Romania, the fourth annual Conference of Romanian Students, Professors and Researchers living in the UK, was held. Speaking at the meeting Mr Keith Vaz MP underlined that restrictions imposed on Romanian workers in the British labour market are discriminatory.

UK Border Agency issues new policy guidance on age 21 marriage visas following Quila and Bibi judgement

Changes to the Immigration Rules have been laid in Parliament today to reinstate a minimum age of 18 for a spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner and for their sponsor in order to qualify for entry clearance, leave to enter, leave to remain or a variation of leave on that basis. These rules will come into effect on 28 November 2011.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk 

Majestic College offer special packages for EU students. They also have a number of employers looking for staff right now and are willing to employ Bulgarians and Romanians.

For more information call Joanna on 0208 207 1020 or email info@majesticcollege.org

British MPs have accused the UK Border Agency (UKBA) of losing track of a population of asylum seekers and migrants equivalent to the size of Cambridge, the BBC reports.

UK border force head suspended

The head of the UK border force has been suspended by the Home Office following allegations staff were told to scale down some identity checks, the BBC reports.

‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ says bankrupt Tasmac College director to the 650 students who have lost £7500 in fees

Bust college Director Prashan Dua told angry students at the Tasmac College creditors meeting, held on 3 November at a theatre in Rickmansworth, that he and his fellow Directors had done ‘nothing wrong’. Angry students were told that they were ‘unsecured creditors’ who fell behind secured creditors such as Bank of India and the former staff who are still owed salary payments.

UK Border Agency announce further changes to the student visa system

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has taken ‘tough new enforcement action’ to stop ‘abuse’ of the student visa system by effectively preventing over 450 education providers from sponsoring new international students…Many private college owners have decided that ‘enough is enough’ following stringent new Tier 4 visa rules, implemented on 4 July, which basically means that any new international students studying at a private college (as opposed to a government publicly funded institution) can no longer work or sponsor dependants. The new rules do not affect Bulgarians and Romanians coming to the UK on Yellow Card registration permits to work and study on vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care. 

TASMAC College Creditors Meeting

Bijal Shah, of Licensed Insolvency Practitioner’s RE 10, has announced a further creditors meeting for the bankrupt TASMAC College, to be held at 11am on 3 November at:

UK economy growing faster than expected

Britain’s economy is growing faster than expected, new figures have revealed, a sign that a feared double-dip recession will be averted.

UK University applications drop 9% as higher fees and student visa crackdown takes effect

UK Universities are facing a double whammy of increased fees for resident students and relentless crackdown on Tier 4 student visas for non-EU students.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Bison UK Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker is offering free immigration advice consultations for Tasmac and any other students affected by the closure of their college. Her office is open 9 AM to5 PM Monday to Friday. Call 0208 905 1822. 

Looking for a college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

More than 650 Tasmac students have been left stranded without a college since the University of Wales (UoW) accredited college went bust.

Reading a prepared statement, the former college boss blamed the UK Border Agency for the downfall of his business, Tasmac UK Ltd of Tasmac House, 1-3 Valley Drive, Kingsbury, NW9 9NG, which officially went into voluntary liquidation at the creditors meeting after it ceased trading on 6 October.

TASMAC COLLEGE

Mr Bijal Shah of liquidators ‘Re 10’ was earlier appointed as receiver, unopposed at a behind closed doors shareholders meeting, told the students that they were ‘unsecured creditors’ who fell behind secured creditors such as Bank of India and the former staff who are still owed salary payments.

He added that neither are likely to receive any money, but did disclose that his firm had already been paid £15,000 to wind up the company.

Mr Shah said he had been approached by the Tasmac’s directors, which offered degree courses validated by the disgraced University of Wales (UoW), on 1 October with a view to arranging a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) after a deal to sell the company had fallen through. It was later decided that the company should be put into voluntary liquidation.

Mr Shah was careful to add that he or his firm had not had any prior dealings with Mr Dua or the directors of Tasmac.

Following prepared statements and formalities students were allowed to put questions to Mr Dua, during an hour long session carefully orchestrated by the liquidator.

Mr Shah instructed students not to approach the stage, to raise their hands before speaking and ask questions in an ‘orderly’ manner. A burley bouncer sat at the rear of the stage presumably to protect Mr Dua in the event of any trouble.

To their credit the students, many of whom had lost £7500 days before the company crashed, conducted the meeting with dignity and, under the circumstances, surprising restraint.  

Most of the 50 or so former students, who come from various countries such as Nepal, India, Ukraine, Egypt, Uganda, Cyprus and Vietnam, were worried that they had still not received transcripts or references from the college or UoW despite several emails all of which went unanswered.

Mr Shah assured the audience that UoW had taken all of the student records and would be issuing transcripts to students who cannot obtain another CAS from a new provider without them.

When asked where the millions of pounds paid to Tasmac in advance fees had gone, Mr Dua said that all monies will be accounted for by Bijal, the liquidator he addressed on a first name basis, and that the money had gone towards running costs and ambitious expansion plans.

One student from Egypt shouted at Mr Dua saying that he had ruined her life was very ‘brave’ to show his face at the meeting.

She refuted claims that the college had not been paid fees by students by pointing out that they would not issue a CAS (electronic visa letter used to obtain a Tier 4 student visa) without all or at least 75% of the fees being paid in advance. In her case she had paid the full fees in February, five months before she was due to start her post graduate course.

A Nepalese student stood up and said that he had paid £7500 on 27 September 2011, just days before the directors approached Mr Shah to wind the company up, and asked why they took his money when they must have known the college was in trouble and could not deliver the course.

Unfortunately this, like many of the questions, went unanswered during increasingly heated arguments. Others were expertly deflected by Mr Shah.

A Vietnamese student challenged Mr Dua to explain why he had opened a second campus when the company had lost money. Mr Dua said that most businesses lose money in the first year of trading and that the losses were minimal.

60 Day Rule – find a new college or leave the UK

When a college licence is revoked their Tier 4 students visa’s will be curtailed ater 60 days.

The UK Border Agency removed Tasmac College from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register last month, however, none of the student present had received a letter to confirm that they will have 60 days to ‘find another educational provider or leave the UK’.

The 60 day rule is a major worry for the students who need to find a new college or university, organise funds and apply for a new visa, which may involve an English test.

The UKBA website states:

“Where we revoke a licence or a sponsor ceases
operation, students will have 60 days to find another
sponsor offering the same or similar course, leading
to a similar qualification. Legacy sponsors will be
able to apply for exceptional CAS to take over
sponsorship of such students. Leave will only be
granted to allow these students to complete the
specified course.”

However, UKISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) states that the 60 days starts when the student receives a letter from the UKBA:

‘Your permission to stay in the UK will be shortened to 60 days from the date on the letter from the UKBA. You must leave the UK or apply for immigration permission to study at an alternative institution which is an approved sponsor within these 60 days.’ Source: UKISA website.

You need to ensure that the UKBA has your current address, as you may have moved address several times after arriving in the UK.

To ensure that the UKBA have your most up-to-date contact details complete the Migrant change of circumstances form.

Following the appointment of five creditors to a committee to liaise with the liquidators on behalf of the group the meeting was closed by Mr Shah who said they were ‘running out of time’. Several students shouted ‘so are we’!

What should Tasmac students do now to stay in the UK?

The obvious answer is find a new provider and apply for further leave to remain, however, this is not so easy when you have little or no money and a college will not even issue you with a CAS because of the 60 day rule!

A student was refused a CAS by a Highly Trusted college because they said the next course starts in February which takes her over 60 days since Tasmac’s revocation. Hopefully other colleges will take a more flexible approach.

Remember that new Tier 4 visa rules apply to students applying to private colleges after 4 July 2011.

Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker said:

‘This means that if you renew your visa for a private college or change college after 4 July 2011, you will not be able to work and you will not be able to sponsor your dependant.’ 

Whilst a private college will offer lower fees, you must satisfy yourself that the college is safe and will not be closed down or have its licence suspended or revoked by the UKBA.

‘Some students have been offered places in colleges suggested by UoW, but they are been asked to show £9000 in funds and start the whole course again and pay the full fees.’

Cynthia added:

‘Private colleges are being suspended by the UKBA or closing at an alarming rate following several Tier 4 student visa changes this year. Hardly a day goes by without a  student calling me to say that their college has closed and the owners disappeared leaving them stranded after paying thousands of pounds in fees.’

Hundreds of private colleges have had their Tier licence suspended or revoked by the UKBA, however, very few government colleges or universities have been suspended.

Even the University of Wales, which is up to its neck in controversy, is still appears as a ‘trusted’ sponsor on the UKBA official Tier 4 sponsors register.

Students should also regisiter their claim against Tasmac through the liquidator:

R10 165 High Street, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1AY.

Tel. 01923 776223.

http://re10.org.uk/

You can also ask your MP for help – you can Google your MP or see:

http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

MP for Brent North Barry Gardiner is assisting Tasmac students and runs an Immigration & Asylum surgery on the 2nd Friday of each month (except August) at Brent Town Hall (Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD) from 9.30 -12.00 o’clock. No appointment needed.

You can write in to Barry’s office. The address is:

Barry Gardiner MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Barry’s constituency helpline is active every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, on:

020 7219 4046 

Bison UK Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker is offering free immigration advice consultations for Tasmac and any other students affected by the closure of their college. Her office is open 9 AM to5 PM Monday to Friday. Call 0208 905 1822. 

See also: 

650 Tasmac students stranded as University of Wales accredited college closes

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

UK Border Agency announce further changes to the student visa system

University of Wales cease validating degrees at colleges and other institutions

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

WATERSMEET THEATRE
HIGH STREET
RICKMANSWORTH
WD3 1EH

Creditors and students are strongly advised to attend the meeting to find out where over £4 million paid to the college in upfront fees has gone.

At an earlier meeting held on 21 October some 60 students and former members of staff were told that there was ‘no money’ left, but Bijal Shah’s firm were taking around £15,000 in fees.

Tasmac UK Ltd of Tasmac House, 1-3 Valley Drive, Kingsbury, NW9 9NG, went into voluntary liquidation last month after the directors (listed as G Dua, P Dua, S Dua and AK Nair) concluded that the company was ‘unable to pay its debts’.

TASMAC COLLEGE

According to a statement issued to known creditors by RE 10, the company turned over £2.6 million to 31 March 2010. 

More than 650 Tasmac students have been left stranded without a college since the University of Wales (UoW) accredited college went bust.

UoW has not made any statement on whether or not they will be offering their students any financial compensation, as the students could argue that the university’s endorsement of the private college was the very reason they were studying at Tasmac.

To make matters worse, following the recent visa changes students renewing visas at alternative private colleges will not be allowed to work or sponsor their dependants.

Bison UK Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker has given free immigration advice consultations for a number of Tasmac students affected by the closure of their college, many of whom have only recently paid £7500 in fees to the directors of the college.

Many can no longer show the required funds to obtain a new student visa as the college has not given them progress reports and they cannot demonstrate ‘established presence’. She said:

‘Some students have been offered places in colleges suggested by UoW, but they are been asked to show £9000 in funds and start the whole course again and pay the full fees.’

She added:

‘Private colleges are being suspended by the UKBA or closing at an alarming rate following several Tier 4 student visa changes this year. Hardly a day goes by without a  student calling me to say that their college has closed and the owners disappeared leaving them stranded after paying thousands of pounds in fees.

‘The July 4 student visa changes means that if a non-EU student renews visa with a private college or changes college after 4 July 2011, they will not be able to work or sponsor their dependants.’ 

See also: 

650 Tasmac students stranded as University of Wales accredited college closes

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

University of Wales cease validating degrees at colleges and other institutions

UK Universities and Colleges report thousands of Tier 4 students to UK Border Agency over visa suspicions

TASMAC College Creditors Meeting

‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ says bankrupt Tasmac College director to the 650 students who have lost £7500 in fees

For free immigration news updates, please visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk  or email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

TASMAC COLLEGE CAMPUS KINGSBURY

The University has set up an ‘email helpline’ to assist hundreds of Tier 4 students from the UoW approved London college which closed suddenly.

The 650 overseas students, many of whom had paid thousands of pounds in fees to the private college just before it went under, are unlikely to see their money again. The Managing Director had left the country.

The UoW said it was ‘working to transfer the students onto courses at other partner colleges’.

Three representatives of the UoW attended meetings with former Tasmac students in London on Monday.

The BBC was told that the meetings were at times “emotional”, with some students said to be angry and others in a state of shock.

Students for the Masters in Business (MBA) course had paid £7,850 in fees for the degree validated by the UoW.

Students on the courses came from countries including India, Nigeria, Cameroon, Syria, Egypt and Ukraine, with the largest group from Nepal.

Sameer Dua, who was the joint Managing Director of Tasmac UK business school, fled the UK at the weekend and spoke to the BBC from India.

Mr Dua said the decision to close the college was the result of changes in UK Tier student visa regulations brought in by the UK Borders Agency (UKBA).

He said: “These changes have not only impacted Tasmac, they have impacted many more colleges that could be shut down.

“Most of our students are non-EU students. All these students require visas to come. It became difficult to sustain ourselves.”

The collapse of Tasmac college is the latest difficulty faced by the UoW. Its new Vice Chancellor, Prof Medwin Hughes, announced last week that it would stop validating degrees in the UK or overseas.

Tasmac is extremely unlikely to transfer any… tuition fees towards the new colleges as the company has gone into liquidation in the UK”

A separate BBC investigation for the Week In Week Out programme uncovered a scam where overseas students were helped to cheat their way to UoW validated degrees and visas.

The Metropolitan Police and the UKBA carried out raids following the programme.

The investigation did not involve Tasmac college.

Mr Dua said the academic standards of Tasmac UK had full approval with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

He said: “We feel terrible. We are working on ensuring that the students are transferred to an alternative collaborative college so that the students can complete the programme they have come to the UK to pursue.”

Asked if the students would get their fees back, Mr Dua repeated that the problems were “sector-wide” but gave no further information.

Staff at Tasmac college in Wembley were called to an emergency meeting last Thursday evening when they were told the college was shutting down immediately. Vans arrived to remove computers and furniture.

Joanna Oman, who was formerly marketing manager for Tasmac School of Business, criticised the school’s directors.

She said: “Tasmac is extremely unlikely to transfer any… tuition fees towards the new colleges as the company has gone into liquidation in the UK.”

Ms Oman said the students’ existing Tier 4 student visas were tied to a place at Tasmac college and it would be very difficult to get a new one.

The UoW was approached by the BBC to answer further questions about the collapse of Tasmac UK but has not responded.

Last week, the UoW issued a statement which said it was in talks with other colleges over the transfer of former Tasmac students.

The statement said: “The university has been in discussions with other collaborative centres to arrange for the 650 students on University of Wales programmes to transfer to programmes at these institutions.

“If students do have to leave the country for any reason the university will offer the opportunity to transfer them on to a distance-learning programme.”

The statement added: “Students also have the option of taking an exit qualification.” Source: BBC.

Out of pocket students will need more than an ‘email helpline’ from the University of Wales which approved Tasmac to run degree course on their behalf.

Moving students to other colleges running their degrees may help retain them for the UoW, but the students will still have to pay new fees and bear the cost of renewing their Tier 4 visas.

UoW has not made any statement on whether or not they will be offering their students any financial compensation, as the students could argue that the university’s endorsement of the private college was the very reason they were studying at Tasmac.

To make matters worse, following the recent visa changes students renewing visas at alternative private colleges will not be allowed to work or sponsor their dependants.

Bison UK Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker was saddened by the news and said she is offering free immigration advice consultations for any students affected by the closure of their college. She said:

‘Private colleges are being suspended by the UKBA or closing at an alarming rate following several Tier 4 student visa changes this year. Hardly a day goes by without a  student calling me to say that their college has closed and the owners disappeared leaving them stranded after paying thousands of pounds in fees.

‘The July 4 student visa changes means that if a non-EU student renews visa with a private college or changes college after 4 July 2011, they will not be able to work or sponsor their dependants.’ 

The UK Border Agency has implemented major changes to the Tier 4 student route of the points-based system, which came into effect on 4 July 2011 and have badly hit private college.

The Government has revised the Immigration Rules relating to Tier 4 in order to:

• restrict work entitlements, by only allowing students sponsored by higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacations;
• restrict sponsorship of dependants to those of students sponsored by HEIs on postgraduate courses lasting 12 months or longer, and of government-sponsored students on courses lasting longer than 6 months;
• require institutions to confirm that courses represent genuine academic progression from any previous courses studied by the student in the UK; and
• create a streamlined application process for low-risk nationals sponsored by Highly Trusted sponsors.

The agency said:

‘These changes are aimed at delivering a strong migration system which tackles immigration abuse while allowing genuine students to study at genuine colleges.’

However, many private college owners are protesting that they are no longer competing with Government owned institutuions and UK Universities on a level playing field.

Tasmac students are clearly ‘genuine students’ who through no fault of theirs now find themselves in a extremely disadvantaged position.

Bijal Shah, of Licensed Insolvency Practitioner’s RE 10, has announced a further creditors meeting, to be held at 11am on 3 November at:

WATERSMEET THEATRE
HIGH STREET
RICKMANSWORTH
WD3 1EH

Creditors and students are strongly advised to attend the meeting and ask where over £4 million paid to the college in upfront fees has gone.

See also:

TASMAC College Creditors Meeting

HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS

New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?

Pre Tier 4 students in the UK under the Immigration Rules that were in place before 31 March 2009

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

University of Wales cease validating degrees at colleges and other institutions

UK Universities and Colleges report thousands of Tier 4 students to UK Border Agency over visa suspicions

TASMAC College Creditors Meeting

‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ says bankrupt Tasmac College director to the 650 students who have lost £7500 in fees

For free immigration news updates, please visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk  or email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

The Government has made a ‘minor technical change’ to the evidential requirements for settlement: 

‘From 31 October, migrants under Tier 2 and work permit holders will need to provide supporting documents as proof of their income before they are granted settlement’. 

In practice, proof of income is normally requested by caseworkers when considering an application for extensions or ILR, but the changes to the Immigration Rules sets this in stone.

Cynthia Barker, of Immigration Advisers Bison UK, warns that this minor change should be of major concern to work permit and Tier 2 visa holders who are not being paid the correct salaries – i.e. as stated on their work permits. 

‘Migrant workers often find themselves being compromised by employers who basically state salary information on immigration forms in order to obtain a work permit but do not actually pay the agreed rate to the worker. 

‘In some cases the worker has agreed to the deception, but in others they are unaware or forced to go along with the ’arrangement’ (which the UK Border Agency would consider as a fraudulent application) in order to keep their jobs and stay in the UK.’ 

In most cases for Senior Care Worker work permits, the required minimum pay rate was £7.02 per hour and it was on this basis that a work permit would have been issued. If you are not receiving this rate or more you will have problems renewing your visa or applying for ILR. Your visa could also be cancelled following a UK Border Agency inspection and file check.

Employers – who are advised to carry out regular file audits on all migrant workers before they get a visit from the UKBA - may get a slap on the wrist or a civil penalty, but the worker could face a refusal and eventual deportation.

Cynthia Barker advises workers who are being paid below the legal rate to talk to ‘their employers or seek further advice’. If a settlement cannot be reached the worker may have to find another employer.

See also:

National Minimum Wage rates rise this month but are you being paid the correct rate?

Health care workers needed in UK now – Bulgarian and Romanian citizens wanted by employers

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk