Is this a move to eliminate "bogus" universities?
I think it is all part of making it hard for those who think the immigration rules don't apply to them.
Over 500 bogus colleges got shut down after they closed a big college where students didn't really study and then watched to see where all their "students" went.
I should have made it clearer, this change is
not for all Tier 4 visa holders. College and university are not the same thing in the UK. It won't affect those at universtiy. It's for those at a college. I've just changed the title to reflect this
Not all those little colleges are bogus but because of their cheap fees they do attract the type of "student" who doesn't want to study. Most colleges are quick to report these people to UKVI or face losing their sponsorship licence but that "student" then looks for ways to stay in the UK. Applying for a visa they won't get is one of those ways.
Many genuine students usually go home during the holidays and applying for another Tier 4 from home for those at these colleges won't be a big deal for a genuine student.
They have all lost their work rights from this year anyway due to too much abuse in this sector, so there is nothing to remain in the UK for over the summer break.
The part of the Immigraion Act 2014 that will stop the appeal abuse has just come in and most will now have to appeal their refusal of a visa/human rights, from outside the UK. That will end those who try to make 10 years of legal stay for ILR, by keep using the courts for appeals for years, for visas they know they can't have, just to make 10 years of legal stay for ILR. From next month, students at a college will not be allowed to even apply for their visa from within the UK. Not forgetting the other parts of the Immigration Act 2014 for overstayers/illegals i.e. no free NHS, no housing, removal of UK driving licence etc