Coming soon: More curbs on UK student visa

LONDON Home secretary Amber Rudd has announced new plans to restrict students and professionals from India and other non-EU countries as part of the British government’

LONDON Home secretary Amber Rudd has announced new plans to restrict students and professionals from India and other non-EU countries as part of the British government’ s move to deliver Brexit, dismaying leaders in higher education and other sectors.

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The plans announced during the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham belied promises made during the European Union (EU) referendum campaign that leaving the bloc would make it possible to have an immigration policy that would make it easier for professionals and others from non-EU countries to come to Britain.

The plans will add to perceptions in countries such as India from where student numbers have drastically come down in recent years because of visa curbs - that Britain is less welcoming for international students than competing countries such as Australia and Canada.

British companies that hire Indian and other non-EU professionals were told by Rudd that they should invest more in training British workers. More hoops will need to be crossed under the plans before a non-EU professional is hired in the post-Brexit situation.

Launching a consultation on entry rules for foreign workers and students, Rudd said the tests that employers had to undergo before recruiting from abroad had become “tick-boxing exercises” and too often resulted in British citizens being discriminated against.