UK: Sussex visa boundaries slate foreign apprentice

The Students' International Office at the University of Sussex has been flooded with emails and inquiries from students concerned about the proposed crackdown on visas and labor rights for non-EU students.

"We sent an email to all international students to inform them about the seriousness of the situation and ask them to comment," said an administrator. "We've been inundated with emails from students expressing their concern about the proposals."

The measures include increasing the demand for English language skills, stricter limits on "the right to work and their dependents international students outside the EU the right to work during the period of study, graduates restrictions remain Rid work, procedures and stricter visa application for the extension study periods.

Students have described the proposed short-sighted and unfair.

Her Yong Lee, a graduate student from South Korea, said: "Come to the UK to study and then gain some experience now the government wants to close the full post study work route This has endangered my career plan ... that would 't have come to the end and spent so much money if I had known I was going to have to look for a job elsewhere. "

Several students mentioned the post-study work visa as one of the main reasons for opting to study in the UK.

Tessa Mugabe, a doctoral student in Malawi, said: "I'm not sure what kind of message Damian Green, the immigration minister, wants to send to prospective students current proposals clearly indicate that students are not welcome. ".

She said that most of the best universities in the UK academic staff from around the world to maintain its competitiveness in the market of education and research. But immigration proposals students would go against the idea of ​​diversity and competitiveness.

"Very often, students who come to the UK are the brightest in their countries of origin. They work in highly skilled jobs and contribute to the development and wealth of the UK," he said.

The restriction on employment has left students - who often seek part-time job to cover part of the tuition - concerned face difficulties.

Currently, all Tier 4 (General) students are able to work full time during your vacation, and up to 20 hours part-time during term time, depending on the grade level. Under the new proposal, students will work only on campus during the week and many hours as they want outside of school on weekends and during holidays.

Klink Sheikh Hsian of Bangladesh, said: "Many of us come from poor and developing the value of our currency is much lower compared to sterling work part-time is the only way to cover a ... If the finances of restricted work jobs on campus, only a handful of students find work. "

Students complain the proposals apply the same criteria to judge all students, regardless of financial need and academic. Some accuse Britain divestment moral responsibility to its former colonies.

Kabala Ntabeni a master's student in South Africa, said: .. "Many of the students come from poor and troubled Many of them are former colonies of the British Empire Conditions cultural, economic and social in their countries may not be conducive for their return immediately after the study. The UK can not turn a blind eye to its responsibility of these students. "

Husain Ahmed, an exchange scholar from Iraq, he added: "The attack on Iraq has destroyed our academic culture The UK is not responsible for the US as the devastation of the war, both countries have implemented policies Special encourage and students .. Iraq and help rebuild higher education. "