In an attempt to stop overseas people make use of the student visa system, the British government has recently implemented tougher rules for international students intending to go to the UK. According to the government, foreign students make use of the system in the wrong way and tend to remain in the UK illegally.

However, the government step was pushed by opposition parties’ pressure to tighten the UK visa requirements, following the confirmation of the accused of the United States airliner bombing. The accused is a Nigerian who studied in London and joined the al-Qaida after leaving the UK.

As part of the new tightened rules, international students now will require to possess much better English language skills as compared to present beginner’s level. Successful applicants must speak to a level equivalent to Senior Secondary School Certificate. In addition, migrants who wish to bring dependents with their student visa would not be allowed to do so. However, this condition is applied to those students who migrate to the UK for pursuing short courses for fewer than six months. Dependents of students doing any course (below degree level) are not allowed to work.

Another new rule is that students who are taking non-degree courses will not be allowed to work for more than ten hours. Presently, these students are permitted to work up to twenty hours! Moreover, applicants for courses will be provided with visas if the institutions they are going to attend are registered with the Highly Trusted Sponsors List.

With the implementation of new tougher rules, international students may find it difficult to enter the UK for study purposes. But then, the British government is doing so in order to discourage terrorists or future terrorists from entering the nation. According to the British home minister, Alan Johnson, UK is going to have the most “sophisticated” system that would keep an eye on people entering the country and make sure that they leave the country as well!