I Emailed the following letter to my local MP:
Dear XXXX MP,
I am a Masters Student at The London School of Economics due to graduate in July 2011. I am an international student from India.
Recently the UKBA launched a consultation (which ended midnight 31st January 2011) in regards to Tier 4 (General) and Tier 1(Post Study Worker) visas. The government and UKBA are proposing for tighter rules in obtaining student visas which also may see the closure of the Tier 1 (Post Study Worker) route.
Whilst the tightening of the student visa system is a fair argument to reduce the number of visa abusers there are a few issues I would like to point out that puts non-EU international students already in the UK at a losing end:
* The UKBA is proposing for students to reapply from their home country in regards to progression of their studies i.e. an undergraduate student who is already in the UK needs to go back to his/her home country to reapply for a visa should they want to continue a PhD/master's degree. I believe many of us think this is a very inefficient and bureaucratic process. International students are already paying high tuition fees. None of us are state-dependent. Most of us either come on scholarships or family funds to finance our stay and studies in the UK. I think it is very unfair for us to 'pack and leave' and then return after getting approval for a new visa when we currently have the choice of making an in-country application from within the UK. The integrity of the system is maintained as in the first instance, we are only able to apply for a new visa when we hold unconditional offers from education providers. Issues like logistics and housing will arise unnecessarily especially on the costs involved. We urge that the UKBA to find alternative mechanisms to address this issue.
* The UKBA and the Government are planning to scrap the Tier 1 (Post Study Worker) visa. Whilst we understand it is their prerogative in abolishing any visa category, we should urge them to allow for transitional arrangements for students already on UK education courses before fully enforcing the abolishment. Most international students in the UK are often lured with these opportunities by UK universities in attracting them pursue for a course here. The PSW visa has always been used as a marketing tool and having spoken to my fellow international students, most agree this is one of the reasons why they chose the UK in contrast to other countries to further their studies. The abrupt abolishment of this visa will seem to have short-changed students already in their studies in the UK as it looks like the UKBA changed the rules in the middle of the game. Therefore, whilst we understand the government's concerns in reducing net migration, the international students' community is urging for a decent transitional arrangement by allowing for the Tier 1 (Post Study Worker) to be continued for those who qualify for it and are already currently undertaking UK studies. The abolishment of this visa category should only, in all fairness, be applied to new students (those whom have not commenced their courses after the official announcement) as they still have the chance to change their minds on their education pathway in light with this recent development.
The full changes and reforms of both the Tier 4 and Tier 1 visas can be obtained at
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary
Among bodies who have already expressed their dissatisfaction and concerns include the Russell Group and Universities UK (which includes Universities Scotland). They have released press statements in regards to this.
The Government needs to realize that it should focus on matters on enforcement to curb illegal immigrants than penalizing genuine temporary residents such as those in the Tier 4 (General) and Tier 1 (Post Study Worker) categories which contribute significantly to the UK economy. Visa holders from these categories do not contribute to the UK’s permanent migration nor put pressure to public funds as we do not have access to them in the first place. Furthermore, these visas do not contribute to an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) eligibility which does not jeopardise the UK’s net migration figures. We think it is wrong for holders of these visa categories to be counted contributing to net migration to the UK as we are just temporary residents who will leave at the end of our visa approval period.
I strongly urge that at least students in the UK’s best universities of the likes of London School of Economics, Oxford, Cambridge (perhaps these are the best in the world), who already have a very busy academic year should be treated with some degree of respect. The new Coalition on whom we business management students and the general corporate sector, had high hopes to bring the UK economy out of recession, has been disappointing and is, perhaps only adding to the turmoil.
Studying overseas requires a significant amount of financial Investment and time, just when we are at the best stage of our careers. A major motivation for me to spend 35000 pounds for a one year study in the UK was a combination of the world class education I receive at the London School of Economics and later on an invaluable 2 year work experience that I could put on my Resume under the PSW Visa. And now, if all of a sudden, we are deprived of this opportunity, this would perhaps be the most inhuman act by the coalition.
For your kind attention, there have been changes made before, but all of them had transitional arrangements. The then effected had to put in considerable amount of time and energy to appeal the Government’s ruling and to win the transitional arrangements. Very famous judgment is in the case of Pankina. Very strong precedent is MBA provision HSMP.
At the midst of our academic year, this is perhaps not how we expected the UK to welcome us. In all fairness, I would like to bring to your kind notice that the current Coalition should have a moral obligation to provide Long and fair transitional period for all students who are now eligible for PSW after their current course.
I personally know hundreds of people in the West Ham area residing illegally, just to complete 14 years of stay in the UK and apply for settlement. Instead of focusing on them, the UK Government wants to restrict the people that it needs the most, just at a time when it needs them the most.
I also admit that there are more qualified individuals in the Coalition to talk of the economy. But, as a qualified economic analyst, I really am very disappointed to see the new Coalition keen on improving its own manifest rather than deciding on what is best for the economy. True, but all we are asking for are transitional arrangements which state that students enrolled on Graduate level courses before the announcement of abolishment/ amendments to the PSW visa should be immune to such changes.
Being a resident in the West Ham area, I humbly request you to raise this matter among your colleagues in the Labour party and to raise this matter in Parliament
Kindly excuse me if I used any strong words, but I’m pretty sure that a person of your caliber, who has done so much for the West Ham constituents, over the last decade would understand the genuine frustration of students who come here to boost their career; only to find that it has in effect been a negative factor for them.
I greatly appreciate your effort in regards to the matter.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
XXXX
Recieved quite a satisfying reply today:
Dear Harsha,
Thank you for your E Mail.
As You should be aware, the matter is currently under investigation and frankly, though I have some insights, there is a strict Parliamentary convention in the House of Commons not to disclose elimentary affairs before being made public.
We will raise the issue in the Parliament and it is highly unlikely that any changes will come without transitional arrangements. The nature and degree of these arrangements is surely a subject of anxiety for you; but in the mean time, may I suggest you to concentrate on your studies and to do well with your careers.
Best of Luck.
XXXX
