02 February 2009

Pakistan educators complain about UK student visa troubles

Education advisors from Pakistan have voiced their concerns that Pakistani students are finding their pathway to study in the UK has been made difficult since the new system for UK immigration was introduced, reports the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The Pakistan National Education Consultants Association (PNECA) said the Pakistan has traditionally had strong demand to study in the UK, and since 2004-05, Pakistan nationals have comprised a large part of 70 per cent of British universities.

Yet organizers of the conference have said the new points-based system for UK immigration has meant that Pakistani students are looking elsewhere for their international education.

“While UK clearly remains the first preference for Pakistani students, in the new emerging situation they are now seeking admissions in Malaysia, UAE, Australia and New Zealand,” said Syed Abdi, founder of PNECA.

Abdi said since last year nearly 23,000 UK visa applications remain stuck in the Islamabad British High Commission because of the troubles caused by the new UK immigration system. He also said that in 2008, 7,664 UK student visas were issued but that more than twice that were rejected.

The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in UK visa and immigration services.