Clampdown on bogus colleges

Police raided addresses recently in a visa crackdown

The government has given details of a new register designed to stop people entering Britain by posing as students.

Ministers want to stop people gaining visas by claiming to be students at bogus colleges.

From now on, all colleges and other educational establishments will have to register with the Department for Education and Skills.

Visas will only be granted to students enrolling at registered establishments.

The announcement came as three men arrested during police raids on Wednesday to smash an alleged student visa scam were appearing in court on immigration and money laundering charges.

In April, the Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that a clampdown was on the way.

The register will be up and running by the end of the year.

Economy

Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: "Student mobility is a welcome feature of 21st-Century globalisation and we benefit from it.

"The recent British Council report showed that students from overseas currently contribute £3 billion a year to the UK economy.

"But, we must make sure the system is not abused. Those coming to study here must be genuine students studying at a genuine and approved college."

Officials say education providers who receive public funding or are accredited will automatically be added to the register.

Private colleges which are not accredited will need to register over the next few months.

Private English language schools are being encouraged to seek accreditation with existing bodies such as the British Council or the Association of British Language Schools.

They will then be added to the register automatically, say officials.