Debate on migration should include ways of attracting key professionals: Brown
April 12, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Highly Trusted Sponsor now required to apply for restricted course levels
April 7, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Prime Minister sets out new immigration measures
April 6, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
UKBA: New changes to Tier 4 student visa applications
March 4, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
New requirements for student applications under Tier 4 of the points-based system have come into effect today.
The new requirements are as follows:
- We have raised the minimum level of English language course that Tier 4 (General) students can study, to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Before you can apply to study an English language course in the UK, you will need to show that your English language skills are at CEFR level B1 or higher. (There are exceptions if you are a government-sponsored student or if you want to study a pre-sessional English course that meets certain requirements.)
Codes of practice for sponsored skilled workers
March 2, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
UKBA – The quarterly updates to the codes of practice for sponsored skilled workers have been published today.
If an employer wants to sponsor a migrant worker from outside Europe under Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the points-based system, they must use the codes of practice to:
- check the skill level and appropriate pay for that job; and
- find out where the job must be advertised in the UK before it can be offered to a migrant worker.
New guidance for points-based system sponsors
February 24, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
UKBA – The UK Border Agency has revised its guidance documents for employers and education providers who hold sponsor licences under the points-based system.
The revised documents – one for Tier 4 sponsors and the other for sponsors under Tiers 2 and 5 – are available in the Sponsor guidance section of this website. You can download a table listing all the changes to the documents from the right side of this page.
UKBA changes approved English language test providers
February 19, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
UKBA – The UK Border Agency has withdrawn the following organisation and test from its list of approved English language test providers for Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system.
Tougher Visa conditions affect Universities’ Funding
February 12, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
The Guardian – Tougher visa regulations for overseas students were unveiled by the Home Office yesterday amid warnings it could severely restrict funding for colleges and universities.
The new immigration controls are a response, partially, to a “scam” involving a surge in applications from older women “who had long ceased education” and try to bring in dependent husbands, according to the home secretary, Alan Johnson.
The clampdown coincides with sharp cuts to university funding. Vice-chancellors have already complained that a decision last month to suspend student visa applications from large parts of the Indian subcontinent – due to suspected abuse – is already affecting enrolments.
Additionally, successive tightenings of the points-based visa system for international students has already barred thousands of genuine students from the UK, a report by the civil liberties group the Manifesto Club claims today.
Tougher Rules for Foreign Students
February 11, 2010 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
UKBA - Foreign students from outside Europe wanting to come to the UK to study will be required to meet stricter entry criteria, the Home Secretary announced today.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in the UK, and that their dependants cannot work here at all.
It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson also confirmed that the government will implement plans to introduce a points test by 2011 for those who wish to earn British citizenship.
The new measures for students include:
- a good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will be needed to come to the UK and study to improve English language competency further;
- a good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level;
- restricting the lowest-level courses (A levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions;
- halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time;
- a ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and
- a ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working – they will face removal from the UK if found doing so.
Alan Johnson said:
‘The points-based system was introduced to provide a rigorous system to manage legitimate access to the UK to work and study, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances.
‘We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that.’
Changes to the points-based system
March 13, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
(UKBA) The United Kingdom’s points-based system for migrants is being expanded from the end of this month to include adult and child students, while highly skilled workers from outside Europe will have to meet stricter criteria if they want to come here to work.
Changes to the Immigration Rules, published on 9 March and coming into effect on 31 March, will introduce the new Tier 4 route for students as well as changing the academic and financial requirements of the Tier 1 (General) category for highly skilled workers. Other, minor amendments to the points-based system will be made at the same time.
The change to the Tier 1 (General) category is being made in line with the Home Secretary’s announcement on 22 February of new measures to “raise the bar” for foreign workers wishing to enter the United Kingdom. Details of how the other measures will be implemented will be published on this website as they become available.
For more information about the new Tier 4 for students, go to the Studying in the United Kingdom section of this website.
