93,000 non-EU students a year stay on in the UK

nearLY 100,000 foreign students a year from outside europe are not returning home after completing their courses, a report has revealed.

The scale of abuse of the system by those desperate to stay in the UK after finishing their education was highlighted by the Office for national Statistics.

in the year to June some 131,000 people from outside europe received visas to study in the UK, but only 38,000 overseas students left, a difference of 93,000.

The massive gap between those coming to Britain and the number departing amounts to almost 28 per cent of the record net migration of 336,000 in the last year. eU students do not need visas.

Some non-eU graduates will take legitimate jobs here, be given permission to settle down with a partner or undertake further studies. But the OnS said: ‘Some of those who say they come to study do not actually leave the UK at the end of their courses. They overstay their visa and remain in the UK illegally.’

Past estimates have suggested around one-third – which would equate to around 30,000 students annually – remain here unlawfully and work in the black economy.

alp mehmet, of campaign group migrationWatch, said: ‘Students are a source of significant migration. But universities refuse to acknowledge or show any willingness to make sure those who have been to their institutions leave after completing their studies or work placements. Tens of thousands disappear into the black economy.’ Home Office minister Lord Bates yesterday said the number of foreign students overstaying visas was a ‘problem’. But he told the House of Lords: ‘There is absolutely no limit on bona fide students coming to study at bona fide universities in the UK.’

Since 2010, the Government has closed more than 900 bogus colleges which were accused of ‘selling a back door’ to the UK.

a spokesman for Universities UK, which represents 132 vice-chancellors and principals, said: ‘research by the Home Office indicated that only 2 per cent of students failed to comply with their visa requirements.

‘Work is under way to improve the official data on people exiting the UK, including international students. This will give us a greater understanding, in future, of the flows in and out of the UK.’