Leading universities urge Mahmood to exempt exceptional students from visa ban

The Independent describes its reporting approach as fact-focused and accessible without paywalls, supported by donations that fund journalists to cover issues across the political spectrum. It also reports on a UK visa policy affecting Chevening scholars. Leading universities and higher-education associations representing institutions including Cambridge, Durham, Manchester, and Imperial College London urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to exempt outstanding students from conflict-affected countries from a visa ban. The request targets Chevening scholars participating in a government-funded one-year master’s programme. The Home Office ended study visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan after claims that visa routes were being abused. The associations argue Chevening applicants have already passed rigorous government-led assessment and that applying the ban to them is not fair or proportionate.

"Leading universities have urged Shabana Mahmood to exempt outstanding students in some conflict-stricken countries from a draconian visa ban. Some 34 universities, represented by higher-education associations the Russell Group and ResearchPlus, have written to the home secretary to plead for an exception for Chevening scholars, taking part in a government-funded programme that enables outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to do a one-year master's degree in the UK."

"The Home Office ended study visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan in March, after Ms Mahmood claimed the visa routes were being abused. As a result, Chevening scholars from these countries are unable to come to the UK. In a letter sent to Ms Mahmood, the two associations which represent the University of Cambridge, Durham, Manchester, and Imperial College London among others, said the application of the visa ban to Chevening scholars was not fair or proportionate, adding that applicants have already undergone rigorous, government-led assessment."

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