Friday 22 April 2011

Tier 4 UK Student Visa Changes to English Language

21.04.2011

Following the UKBA's announcement that the TIER 4 UK STUDENT VISA SYSTEM is being changed again, yesterday the New English Language Requirements were implemented.

Any Foreign Student looking to study in the UK from 21 April 2011 will need:

International Student studying Degree Level and above courses in the UK need to show a level of B2 on the CEFR.

International Students studying at below degree level, including Foundation courses, pre-sessional courses or English as a foreign language will need to show a a level of B1 on the CEFR.

Thursday 7 April 2011

New English Language Test provider List Published

Yesterday the UKBA announced a new list of English Language Test Providers .

Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications that have already been taken/booked with the existing list of test providers can be used provided that the applications are received by the UKBA on or before the 17 March 2011. From the 18th May 2011 only test on the updated list will be acceptable.

If you are applying as the spouse/partner you can also use a test with the existing Test Providers provided the application is received by the UKBA on or before the 17 July 2011, BUT from 18 July 2011 any application of this type needs be accompanied by a certificate from the new updated list.

If you are planning to Study in the UK you will need to use the new list as of 6 April 2011.

For the updated list click HERE

UK Tax Changes Video

Wednesday 6 April 2011

UK Budget Cuts Video

Annual Limit for Foreign workers in the UK comes in to force

The annual limit for Tier 2 (Non EU Workers)comes into action today 6th April 2011, recently the UK Govt also announced the Tier 4 Student Visa Changes and also recently the UK Govt made an announcement that they intend to make some changes to permanent Settlement applications later in the year.

The Tier 2 Changes have been clearly defined in previous posts of this BLOG.

The Intra-Co Transfer which is outside the annual limit will also be amended in 3 distinguishing ways:

The job needs to be on the graduate occupation list in the UK.

Applicants paid 40,000 GBP or more will be able to stay longer than 1 year and could be granted a further 3 years with the possibility of another extension of 2 years

Applicants paid between 24,000-40,000 GBP will only be permitted to stay in the UK for no longer than 1 year (12 months) at which stage they need to leave the UK and will not be eligible to reapply for 12 months.

Tuesday 5 April 2011

New Tests for Sickness Benefit in the UK

NHS Reforms to be put on hold- Video

New UK Visa Fees from 6th April 2011

UK Visa Fees are being raised from 6th April 2011 following the announcement made by the immigration minister this February.

The new immigration fees will come in to affect on the 6th April so if you are thinking of or about to submit an application to either study, visit, settle or work in the UK you should either pay for the application online (if available in you area) or confirm what the new fees will be so you avoid any problems when submitting the UK visa application.

There are also new fees for UK education providers and for UK Based Employers applying for a sponsorship license.

For the full breakdown of the New UK Visa Fees please click here for the UKBA's PDF document.

Sunday 3 April 2011

Top Businesses back StartUp Britain

UK Legal Adviser found guilty of Immigration Fraud

The UKBA has reported a story I thought I would share with my readers:

An immigration adviser based in Uxbridge has been found guilty of breaching immigration laws, and helping submit fraudulent UK Visa Applications and has received a 6 year prison sentence.

The Indian national was found to have created false documents and employment histories for clients that were applying for extensions to their current UK visas. It was even reported that the guilty adviser had arranged for regular payments to be made into his clients accounts to make it seem as if they were receiving high salaries and were in Highly Skilled Employment.

In this industry it is all too easy for legitimate visa applicants to be taken advantage of and mislead, in this case it seems though as if the Visa applicants themselves would have to had agreed to the adviser's underhand and illegal practices.

Often for immigration purposes it is required for applicant's to have reference letters, employment confirmations and various other official forms of supporting evidence ready for their visa approval or extension applications.

In this instance it is clear that much of the adviser's practices were illegal and in fact in the cases where the clients agreed to knowing what the adviser was doing- these people also now face sentences of 6-10 months in prison and thereafter deportation.

Tier 4 Student Visa Changes

Last week the UK Govt announced some major changes to the UK Tier 4 - Student Visa system.

The UKBA has published the below documents following the announcement of the Tier 4 Changes:

statement of intent outlining the details of the changes
updated policy guidance Tier 4 migrants from 21 April 2011
updated guidance for Tier 4 Sponsors from 21 April 2011


It seems as if the new changes to the UK Tier 4 Student Visa are set to come into force on the 21 April 2011.

If you are looking to submit a Tier 4 Application be sure to read through the changes and if you need any clarification on how these changes will affect you please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help.