UK Visa Centres in India Closed Due to Security Concerns
Thousands of Indian students ready to begin their academic year in the UK, were left in the lurch after the British High Commission closed suddenly visa centers in India, citing security concerns.
Students rushed to meet the deadline of 30 September – the last date on which a student visa in the UK could be applied before the new rules came into force. Under the new rules, is required to show a bank statement showing the money for tuition and maintenance of the account for at least 28 days.
At least 14,000 applicants lined up in the centers of Bombay, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Delhi and Ahmedabad were affected after the receipt of applications centers stopped abruptly at 2:00 pm on Tuesday.
An official of the United Kingdom on a Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) said that the center of the old rules were much more relaxed, so that an applicant can show a statement after holding the money in the bank for one day .
The new visa system for students have also led to increased processing time of applications. It now takes an average of 28 days – twice the period of 14 days with the old rules. This, in turn, means that students who were to begin studies in October will have to pay an additional £ 200 for the academic institution to join a deferred date.
In Mumbai, over 2,000 students were turned away from schools in Churchgate and Vile Parle. Police had to disperse the students, which had started in protest against the closure of schools. The Pune center was closed Wednesday afternoon.
“The British High Commission should have anticipated the race and has taken appropriate steps,” said one parent at Churchgate.