face-to-face interviews with Pakistanis

[Blitz03]

The UK Border Agency is increasing the number of face-to-face interviews with Pakistanis hoping to study in Britain after an initial investigation found that many could not speak English.

All Pakistanis will be interviewed as part of measures being trialled to crack down on bogus applications, it has been disclosed.

The new "credibility test" is expected to double the number of visa rejections.

The increased scrutiny has been calculated to boost the refusal rate from 20% to more than 40%, according to a government source.

The move follows a Border Agency pilot scheme conducted in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria.

The news comes just days after the agency was criticised by MPs over its failure to deport foreign criminals.

The pilot scheme findings apparently suggested that a large proportion of would-be student candidates could not speak English well enough to qualify.

The source said using face-to-face interviews instead of the existing paper-based system had been particularly effective in Pakistan, uncovering reasons for rejection in 43% of applications.

Sky News correspondent Niall Paterson said: "On the face on it, this is a very good news story for the Government, a very good news story for the UK Border Agency.

"Complete coincidence of course that this takes place in a week in which the Home Affairs Select Committee released a report which said the UKBA was unable to fill its most basic functions."

Paterson said this story reveals that the UKBA's "checks and balances have not been working in perhaps as many as one in five cases, at least from Pakistan".

The new checks will be piloted initially to gain further evidence about their effectiveness.

[bobobo]

I dont think this post belongs in this forum, maybe try the following forum
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=41

The UK Border Agency is increasing the number of face-to-face interviews with Pakistanis hoping to study in Britain after an initial investigation found that many could not speak English.

All Pakistanis will be interviewed as part of measures being trialled to crack down on bogus applications, it has been disclosed.

The new "credibility test" is expected to double the number of visa rejections.

The increased scrutiny has been calculated to boost the refusal rate from 20% to more than 40%, according to a government source.

The move follows a Border Agency pilot scheme conducted in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria.

The news comes just days after the agency was criticised by MPs over its failure to deport foreign criminals.

The pilot scheme findings apparently suggested that a large proportion of would-be student candidates could not speak English well enough to qualify.

The source said using face-to-face interviews instead of the existing paper-based system had been particularly effective in Pakistan, uncovering reasons for rejection in 43% of applications.

Sky News correspondent Niall Paterson said: "On the face on it, this is a very good news story for the Government, a very good news story for the UK Border Agency.

"Complete coincidence of course that this takes place in a week in which the Home Affairs Select Committee released a report which said the UKBA was unable to fill its most basic functions."

Paterson said this story reveals that the UKBA's "checks and balances have not been working in perhaps as many as one in five cases, at least from Pakistan".

The new checks will be piloted initially to gain further evidence about their effectiveness.

[king2be98]

Excellent news, this is absolutely excellent news.

Too many taking advantage in the loopholes in the system.

[JohnM]

Great news but it should have been done 10 years ago!

[15Jan]

Why Pakistan only?? what about other 4 countries?

[Deviser]

Interviews are not new thing for Pakistani students. Before 2005/6 almost every student visa was stamped after 30 to 45 minutes interview.

The most bogus visas applications made from Pakistan are marriage, family and dependent visas, not student visa because if a candidate is fullfilling the Tier 4 visa main requirement, they can hardly be a bogus student.

[15Jan]

Interviews are not new thing for Pakistani students. Before 2005/6 almost every student visa was stamped after 30 to 45 minutes interview.

Then, its ok!

[Deviser]

Actully, there is no issues of bogus or real students. The issue is 'How to charge a visa fee without issuing a visa'.

UKBA taking a plea of English language that most of Pakistani student are bogus as they dont know English so interviews necessary. But that is not the case in real. English test are compulsory for student visa now so how its possible a student who have an IELTS Score of 5.5/6.5 do not know English in real?

UKBA is putting these restrictions just to digest visa fee of students and to put a hidden cap on student visas for Pakistani students. Now if student make any grammar or pronunciations mistake in interview, ECO will reject the visa.

[mrmuez]

Devisier your being little over-dramatic , the interview was not that serious at all .. they just ask you 3 to 5 random questions of no importance , they just test your response and thats it ... not a biggy .. i was also very nervous but interview was a pleasent experience ..also i posted few questions in my other thread if it helps newbies. ..

[Deviser]

Devisier your being little over-dramatic , the interview was not that serious at all .. they just ask you 3 to 5 random questions of no importance , they just test your response and thats it ... not a biggy .. i was also very nervous but interview was a pleasent experience ..also i posted few questions in my other thread if it helps newbies. ..

If you got the visa than no problem but if you got rejection letter saying you were not good in interview, than you will feel the pain that what the hell is happening with others.

[mrmuez]

Devisier your being little over-dramatic , the interview was not that serious at all .. they just ask you 3 to 5 random questions of no importance , they just test your response and thats it ... not a biggy .. i was also very nervous but interview was a pleasent experience ..also i posted few questions in my other thread if it helps newbies. ..

If you got the visa than no problem but if you got rejection letter saying you were not good in interview, than you will feel the pain that what the hell is happening with others.

Did u get refused after interview? or do u know anybody who got refused after interview?