A group of Ghanaian students at the University of Birmingham in the UK is now confronted with possible deportation due to failure to pay tuition.
The deportation comes at the backdrop of cancellation of their visas due to inability of government to honour payment of the tuition fees leaving the affected students stranded.
A letter from the UK Visa and Immigration Office, addressed to some of the affected students, reportedly outlined their limited options. As they await possible deportation, these students find themselves in a difficult situation, navigating the legal complexities of remaining in the UK without the financial support promised by the scholarship scheme.
Excerpt of the Letter: Deportation of Ghanaian Students on Government’s Scholarship in the UK
You still have permission until 09 November 2024 and the current conditions of your stay will continue to apply until then. Please ensure that you comply with these conditions. You now have until 09 November 2024 to either leave the United Kingdom (UK) or make another application to stay here. You do not have a right of appeal or administrative review against the decision to cancel your permission.
If you leave or are already outside, the Common Travel Area (the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland) before 09 November 2024 your permission will end immediately, and you will have to make a new application to re-enter the UK, Portion of the letter read.
According to a report from Channel1news.com, the delayed payments stem from the students’ inability to settle their tuition fees on time.
The majority of these students are beneficiaries of the Government of Ghana Scholarship Scheme, which covers their educational expenses. However, the government has not remitted the necessary funds, leaving the students unable to meet their financial obligations to the university.
As a result of these financial delays, the UK Visa and Immigration Office has intervened, leading to the cancellation of some student visas. Without valid visas, the students are at risk of being deported, compounding the difficulties they already face.
