South Asian students fight accusations of U.K. visa fraud 10 years on

Over 35,000 visas were canceled over English test scandal in 2014

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Students, campaigners and lawmakers protest in 2019 against Home Office actions against alleged cheaters on a test of English-language skills. (Migrant Voice) 

RHYANNON BARTLETT-IMADEGAWA, Nikkei staff writer

LONDON -- Mehmood has not returned to Pakistan in eight years and has not told his elderly mother about his circumstances in the U.K., where his life has been put on hold since December 2015.

The 44-year-old cannot get a visa, which means he cannot finish his studies or get a job because he is one of hundreds, possibly thousands, of South Asians who are still fighting to clear their names a decade after the British government canceled their right to remain in the country over allegations they cheated on tests of English-language skills that they needed to pass to renew their documents.

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