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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Home Office Says LSBF Tier 4 Student Visa Suspension Justified

Cynthia Barker writes...Following my blog last week (Home Office Declares War On Private Colleges), the Home Office has dismissed accusations that it unfairly suspended the Tier 4 student visa sponsors licence of London School of Business & Finance, Education Investor reports.

LSBF, a large private college based in central London, was among of 57 private colleges stripped of their right to recruit new overseas students last week, following the latest Home Office crackdown colleges and some universities.

The management of LSBF says it was unfairly penalised for failing to prevent students working during their courses - a breach of immigration rules for most Tier 4 students studying at private colleges. It has begun an internal investigation and plans to hire PwC to fight their case.

The Home Office rejected the claims and a spokesperson said: "We have found extensive evidence of widespread cheating on English language tests by those studying at the London School of Business & Finance.

"We have suspended their licence because of numerous, broader failings in respect of their sponsorship duties," they said.

However, there is no suggestion that LSBF encouraged or turned a blind eye to falsified English language test results.

The firm points out that a majority of LSBF students identified as working during their studies were “directly sponsored by UK universities but studying with LSBF under franchise or similar arrangements”.

The college claims that the remainder had either been enrolled prior to the introduction of restrictions on foreign student work rights aimed only at private colleges, or had simply not worked while at the college.

If you have been affected or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

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