LANGUAGE schools fear Oxford’s economy will lose out through tough new Government restrictions on foreign student visas.

All foreign Students must now be able to speak passable English and, as part of the clampdown, will be banned from bringing family members into the country.

Visas will also only be granted to students at accredited colleges on the Government’s Highly Trusted Sponsors shortlist.

The changes are intended to stop terrorists using student visas to enter the country or foreigners entering the UK to gain employment rather than study.

But language schools in Oxford fear the changes could lead to fewer students securing places and mean less money spent in the local economy.

There are 54 Government-accredited foreign language schools in the city and a further 15 around the county, attracting thousands of students every year.

Steve Hirschhorn, principal of Eckersley School of English, in Friars’ Entry, Oxford, said about 20 per cent of his 150 students would now fail to secure a visa.

He added: “We, like many schools, are frantic with worry. This is an extremely ill-conceived plan.

“It will have an impact on the schools, on host families and on Oxford’s economy. This will be very serious.

“It’s right to get rid of bogus applicants and visa factories but there are none left in Oxford now.

“International students are nothing to do with the Government’s idea of terrorism, migration and citizenship.

“We have had a South American teacher and Japanese nun refused visas now. They are destroying an extremely lucrative business in economic and social terms.”

Students, who bring thousands of pounds to Oxford’s economy, could now go to other countries such as Malta and Australia, Mr Hirschhorn added.

The College of International Education, in St Michael’s Street, Oxford, said up to 35 students attending pre-boarding school summer sessions would be affected.

Co-principal Luke Murgatroyd said: “We’ve been accredited and had inspections in the past six months so we are not overly worried but some schools have lost their licence and it all appears random.

“In my experience those who come to Oxford come to learn English and they are bona fide students.

“Smaller places like Oxford are really going to suffer.

“Colleges spend money using premises around the city and the students spend their money in the restaurants and shops and bring money to host families.

“This will have a big impact on the local economy.”

The rules could also mean fewer international students – who pay higher fees than UK citizens – enrolling at Oxford University and Oxford Broo-kes University.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “The criminal operators who set up fake colleges and fake courses are damaging reputable Oxford language schools as well as using linked study and work as a route to illegal immigration.

“The new register of Highly Trusted Sponsors is a welcome response to points put to the immigration minister by English language school representatives.”