Home Office Says LSBF Tier 4 Student Visa Suspension Justified

Cynthia Barker writes...Following my blog last week (Home Office Declares War On Private Colleges), the Home Office has dismissed accusations that it unfairly suspended the Tier 4 student visa sponsors licence of London School of Business & Finance, Education Investor reports.

LSBF, a large private college based in central London, was among of 57 private colleges stripped of their right to recruit new overseas students last week, following the latest Home Office crackdown colleges and some universities.

The management of LSBF says it was unfairly penalised for failing to prevent students working during their courses - a breach of immigration rules for most Tier 4 students studying at private colleges. It has begun an internal investigation and plans to hire PwC to fight their case.

The Home Office rejected the claims and a spokesperson said: "We have found extensive evidence of widespread cheating on English language tests by those studying at the London School of Business & Finance.

"We have suspended their licence because of numerous, broader failings in respect of their sponsorship duties," they said.

However, there is no suggestion that LSBF encouraged or turned a blind eye to falsified English language test results.

The firm points out that a majority of LSBF students identified as working during their studies were “directly sponsored by UK universities but studying with LSBF under franchise or similar arrangements”.

The college claims that the remainder had either been enrolled prior to the introduction of restrictions on foreign student work rights aimed only at private colleges, or had simply not worked while at the college.

If you have been affected or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Student To Spouse Visa In 6 Weeks, WOW!

Cynthia Barker writes...I was surprised when the official brown Home Office envelop arrived so quickly, and initially thought it might be a visa refusal. However, I was delighted when the spouse visa popped out and the student, who had just switched from Tier 4 to marriage visa in-country, was over the moon and screaming down the phone!

Well done to the Home Office who are not always congratulated when they get it right.

More care job orders came in today, this time from an upmarket nursing home group who need care assistants in the Northampton area. They pay between £6.45 and £7.00 per hour, which is not too bad outside of London where rents are much lower than in the capital. The employer will also help with accommodation if you need to relocate.

Carers must have some experience and the right to work in the UK, which means within EU or EEA only folks. The company has had very good experience with Romanian and Bulgarian workers, but sadly no luck with local advertising or apprenticeships in care. Overseas workers are still needed, just like they were 15 years ago when I started in this industry! Tier 2 work permit rules should be changed to allow care workers from outside the EU - that would solve the care and NHS staffing crisis.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

See also: Home-office-wins-appeal-on-spouse-visa

UK Government Urged To Encourage More International Students

Cynthia Barker writes...phew, busy day here in London! Lot's to report on UK immigration and jobs.

This week the Government are being urged by a House of Lords committee to do more to encourage non-EU international Tier 4 students to study in the UK. In recent years, overseas students have been put off studying in the UK by tough Home Office rules and the fact that Tier 4 students, who are temporary migrants, are being included in Government targets to slash net migration.

Surprise surprise, the Home Office clamp down on overseas students is having a negative effect on numbers studying in Britain, much to the delight of universities and colleges in the US, Australia and Canada.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said that Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) students coming to the UK to study has fallen by a staggering 10%.

Meanwhile, London's economy is booming and employment prospects growing. The capital has always been a magnet for immigrants because there are always job vacancies, especially in the care and catering sectors.

Wages are also rising as the UK economy gets into gear after a long period of slow growth.

Industries such as care are not so vulnerable to the up's and down's of the economy or boring stock market figures! The sector, which includes hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care providers, always need staff and care managers, as they have a never ending supply of clients.

Jobs are being taken by EU or EEA nationals from countries such as Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, but the demand for nurses with NMC PINs and experienced care support workers still outstrips supply.

Strict Home Office work permit rules under Tier 2 of the Points Based System should be relaxed to allow employers to recruit care workers from outside the EU. Otherwise, we will see an even greater staffing crisis in the NHS and private care sector which will put patients at risk.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 020 8731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is an OISC registered Immigration Adviser with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.