London:
The UK announced a partial lifting of the ban on student visas in north India on Saturday, sending a wave of relief among thousands of genuine students who are at an advanced stage of enrolling at British universities. (Read: Britain says no to student visa in North India)
Announcing this, Pat McFadden, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Pat McFadden, said, "The suspension was taken in response to a huge surge in applications over a very short period of time."
He added, "I am delighted to be able to announce today that, from 1 March, this suspension will be lifted for all students wanting to study higher education courses, whether foundation degrees, undergraduate or postgraduate."
However, he added that the temporary suspension would remain in place for all those wanting to study at lower levels.
McFadden said: "But we will continue to keep this under review and will lift it as soon as we can, and once the new highly trusted sponsor system for colleges and other educational establishments across the UK is in place."
Student visas from north India were suspended on 1 February, causing concern among thousands of students, their families and also British universities who depend on high fee-paying international students for a substantial part of their revenue.
According to official figures, the direct value of students from India and other non-European Union countries to the UK economy is estimated at 8.5 billion pounds annually.
Announcing this, Pat McFadden, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Pat McFadden, said, "The suspension was taken in response to a huge surge in applications over a very short period of time."
He added, "I am delighted to be able to announce today that, from 1 March, this suspension will be lifted for all students wanting to study higher education courses, whether foundation degrees, undergraduate or postgraduate."
However, he added that the temporary suspension would remain in place for all those wanting to study at lower levels.
McFadden said: "But we will continue to keep this under review and will lift it as soon as we can, and once the new highly trusted sponsor system for colleges and other educational establishments across the UK is in place."
Student visas from north India were suspended on 1 February, causing concern among thousands of students, their families and also British universities who depend on high fee-paying international students for a substantial part of their revenue.
According to official figures, the direct value of students from India and other non-European Union countries to the UK economy is estimated at 8.5 billion pounds annually.
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