To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many tier 4 student applications are pending in each consulate in the Indian sub-continent as a result of the suspension of processing; how many dependants are included in such applications; whether such applications will be considered against the criteria in force at the time of their application or under the new criteria; and whether applicants enrolled in education institutions which have subsequently had their licence to sponsor suspended or revoked will be refused a visa. (317851)

The suspension of tier 4 student visa applications in north India, Bangladesh and Nepal on 1 February means that we are not accepting any new applications in this category. No applications, including those from dependants, are therefore pending as a result of the suspension.

Applications submitted before 1 February are being processed as normal against the criteria in force at the time of their application.

The suspension will be lifted in north India from 1 March for tier 4 students intending to undertake higher education courses (foundation degree, undergraduate, postgraduate).

Applicants intending to study at educational institutions which have had their sponsor licence subsequently revoked will not meet the requirements for entry and will be refused a visa. In cases where the sponsor licence has been suspended, a decision on the visa application will be deferred until a decision is made on whether to revoke or re-instate the licence.