UK Excludes India from List of Low Risk Countries with Less Student Visa Norms

In the recent changes made in the immigration policy of the UK, it has been highlighted that the Indian students will now be excluded from the list of countries that are considered 'low risk'. The move, which is not in favour of prospective Indian students, is expected to facilitate the visa application process for the UK universities and make it easier for students abroad.

Countries like China, Bahrain, New Zealand, Canada etc. are on the list which essentially means that the students belonging to these countries will face reduced checks on the educational, financial as well as English language requirements if they are willing to study in the British universities. The changes will come into effect beginning 6th July 2018.

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Since India has been excluded from the list, Indian students will continue to face rigorous checks while they apply for the visa. The move has been described as an 'insult' to India and an economically illiterate move by the UK. Their hostility to immigration speaks volumes after this change has been introduced.

If we go by statistics of the Office of National Statistics (ONS), India is among the list of top three countries from where students go to the UK to pursue higher education. The other top two countries are China and the United States. India registered a total of 30,000 Tier 4 visas about six years ago and the number had dropped to 15,171 last year, which has been unfortunate in itself. Further, with this move, it has added to the growing concern within the Indian government.

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Earlier last week, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Y K Sinha had raised the issue of a faculty and student mobility between India and UK.