After an exponential rise in the number in visa-seeke-rs, the UK will temporarily stop accepting student visa applications in New Delhi, Jalander and Chandigarh from Monday.
The decision was taken in view of applications jumping from 1,800 for the academic year 2009 to 13,500 for 2010. It will be reviewed in February-end. The number of applications received from these three north Indian centres (for the academic year 2008) was 1,000.
This move, however, will not affect other category of visas.
Though the decision does not affect the western and southern regions, the UK High Com-mission advised students from north India against travelling there for visa application without prior appointments. “The aim is to process visa applications fairly, thoroughly and quickly,” Chris Dix, UK Border Agency Regional Director said.
Indians and Chinese constitute the largest students’ community in the UK.