Textual Confessions

Following the UK's recent spate of students visa application suspensions on certain parts of South Asia, BBC News recently produced an in-depth news report on the UK's visa system, implemented last April.

BBC journalist Lucy Williamson went to Southall to interview South Asian students on how they are being affected by the new system. One student from India used an agent to enter the UK, with only GBP 500 on him and a promise that he would be able to find jobs easily. These agents are supposedly the middle men between UK colleges/universities and the students, tasked with helping students with their university applications, accomodation and travel documents.

Even more interesting is an interview between Williamson and a 'legit' agent, who explains that agents have mushroomed following the relaxation of visa rules, hence bogus agents who 'guarantee' entry into the UK using student visas. 

This is because the new visa system uses points-based evaluation, Williamson explains, where a student with proof of being enrolled in a UK university  or college is given 30 points and another 10 points for if he/she can show he/she has enough money to live in the UK.

It's what happens AFTER they get their 40 points that lands these 'students' in trouble. Visit the BBC web site to listen to Williamson's findings in "Dreams of A British Education".