This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8489349.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK acts on student visa increase UK acts on student visa increase
(10 minutes later)
The UK Border Agency has temporarily suspended student visa applications from northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh after a jump in numbers.The UK Border Agency has temporarily suspended student visa applications from northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh after a jump in numbers.
In the last three months of last year, there were 13,500 applications from northern India alone, compared with 1,800 in the same period of 2008.In the last three months of last year, there were 13,500 applications from northern India alone, compared with 1,800 in the same period of 2008.
British officials say the system has been overwhelmed and there is concern about how many cases are genuine.British officials say the system has been overwhelmed and there is concern about how many cases are genuine.
Unscrupulous offers of visas as a way of settling in the UK are not uncommon.Unscrupulous offers of visas as a way of settling in the UK are not uncommon.
The British high commissioner in Delhi, Sir Richard Stagg, said abuse of the system would not be allowed to happen.The British high commissioner in Delhi, Sir Richard Stagg, said abuse of the system would not be allowed to happen.
'Tough action''Tough action'
While extra checks take place, visa applications have been temporarily suspended - a decision which will be reviewed at the end of February.While extra checks take place, visa applications have been temporarily suspended - a decision which will be reviewed at the end of February.
Jeremy Oppenheim, of the UK Border Agency, said: "The points-based system gives us the flexibility to act to maintain the integrity of the visa system, whilst processing legitimate applications fairly, thoroughly and as quickly as possible.Jeremy Oppenheim, of the UK Border Agency, said: "The points-based system gives us the flexibility to act to maintain the integrity of the visa system, whilst processing legitimate applications fairly, thoroughly and as quickly as possible.
"We continually check and monitor all student applications and education providers to ensure that they meet the required standards."We continually check and monitor all student applications and education providers to ensure that they meet the required standards.
The genuine students who want to come over for the universities they're going to suffer as a result and they won't be able to get here in time for their courses Harjap Singh Bhangal
"We will take tough action against those who attempt to abuse the system.""We will take tough action against those who attempt to abuse the system."
The director of the legal advice firm, London Immigration Advice and Appeal Services, Harjap Singh Bhangal, says a temporary suspension will prevent illegal immigration, but it will also adversely affect genuine students.
He told the BBC: "It's going to create a panic and we don't know when this suspension is going to be lifted. I believe it's for one month initially but it could run into several months.
"The problem that we're going to have is that the genuine students who want to come over for the universities they're going to suffer as a result and they won't be able to get here in time for their courses."
India is currently the UK's biggest visa operation in the world.India is currently the UK's biggest visa operation in the world.
More than 500,000 Indians visit the UK every year, among them tens of thousands of students.More than 500,000 Indians visit the UK every year, among them tens of thousands of students.