As India restricts entry, UK eases visa regulations
THE HOME OFFICE SAID INDIAN AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS WITH WORK VISAS MAY BE PREVENTED FROM ATTENDING STUDIES OR EMPLOYMENT
LONDON: The Boris Johnson government has eased visa norms for Indian students and professionals, who are in the country and are unable to return to India due to the ban imposed by New Delhi on travel by passengers from the United Kingdom (UK) from March 18.
In view of the situation created by the coronavirus (Covid-19) challenge, the Home Office has eased visa norms applicable to non-eu citizens, which means any violation will not invite penalty. The Indian ban upset business and tourism-related visits.
The Home Office said Indian and other international students and professionals with work visas may be prevented from attending their studies or employment due to illness. They may need to serve a period of quarantine or the inability to travel due to travel restrictions caused by Covid-19.
Student visas are tied to teaching and universities are obliged to report any absences by visa holder to the Home Office. The Indian high commission has a public response unit for citizens seeking help, and has widely publicised changes announced by New Delhi.
The Home Office said absences of student from campuses or employee need not be reported. Universities and employers also do not need to withdraw sponsorship to their visas if they consider there are exceptional circumstances when a student will be unable to attend for more than 60 days. “The Home Office recognises the current situation is exceptional and will not take any compliance action against students or employees who are unable to attend their studies/work due to the coronavirus outbreak, or against sponsors which authorise absences and continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences for this reason,” it said.
Indian and other non-eu students have voiced concern over steps taken by several universities, such as receiving conflicting messages in some universities to “go home” ahead of Easter vacations next week.
Sanam Arora of the National Indian Students & Alumni Union, UK, said: “Our observations and feedback received from Indian students so far is overwhelmingly positive towards online teaching. In cases, where this hasn’t already been done, petitions have been launched to make universities consider online teaching and assessments”.
“Students tell us that they want to travel back to India but are concerned on the impact to their studies and whether they will be able to return or not. Our advice is to speak to their universities and seek authorised absence,” she added.