50,000 immigrants illegally entered Britain under Student Visa

27.03.2012

Up to 50,000 immigrants illegally entered Britain by pretending to be students, a “shocking” report on the UK Border Agency will say today.

In a deeply critical study, the National Audit Office found a huge surge in students entering the country was largely fuelled by fake applications after a new visa system was introduced in 2009.

The report reveals the UK Border Agency probably let through 40,000 to 50,000 illegal students in this year, largely from India, Bangladesh and China. Most of these people have never been traced.

The number of illegal immigrants who pretended to be in education is more than ten times higher than the previous estimates.

Immigration officials took measures to tighten the system up by increasing checks on colleges and applicants, but the National Audit Office found its controls are still lacking.

Colleges have notified the UK Border Agency of more than 60,000 times of students not attending studies in breach of their visa conditions during the 18 months up until October 2011.

Official auditors believe many of these people are still in the country, as immigration staff do not regard removing them as a “priority”.

Margaret Hodge, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said the UK Border Agency needs to “get a grip”

“This is one of the most shocking reports of poor management leading to abuse that I have seen,” Mrs Hodge said. “In the first year, student visas increased by one third, as 40,000 to 50,000 individuals probably used this route to work rather than to study. We will need to ask some important questions of those responsible.”

The report comes after a series of scandals engulfing the UK Border Agency over its control over immigration. Last year, it emerged the agency had relaxedBy Rowena Mason, Political Correspondent

UP to 50,000 immigrants illegally entered Britain by pretending to be students, a “shocking” report on the UK Border Agency will say today.

In a deeply critical study, the National Audit Office found a huge surge in foreign students was largely fuelled by fake applications after a new visa system was introduced in 2009.

The report reveals the UK Border Agency probably let through 40,000 to 50,000 illegal students in this year, largely from India, Bangladesh and China. Most of these people have never been traced.

The number of illegal immigrants who pretended to be in education is more than ten times higher than the previous estimates.

Immigration officials took measures to tighten the system up by increasing checks on colleges and applicants, but the National Audit Office found some of its controls are still “non compliant”.

Colleges have notified the UK Border Agency of more than 60,000 times of students not attending studies in breach of their visa conditions during the 18 months up until October 2011.