More on UK Student Visa Policy Changes 2011/2

Another major policy change announced this week by the UK Govt was the closure of the Post Study Work Visa .

The closure date is set for April 2012.

Other main points confirmed this week:

International Graduates from UK Universities with a recognized degree will be allowed to switch into Tier 2 Sponsored Employment and there will not be limit placed on the numbers of Graduates switching into Tier2.

only graduates that switch into Tier 2 inside the United Kingdom and before their current tier 4 Student Visa Leave Expires.

Regular Tier 2 rules will apply in terms of requirements besides for the Resident Labour Market Test.

Foreign Graduates/Students with good entrepreneurial ideas will receive more support from the UK Govt and could be allowed to stay in the UK to develop the business or idea.

UKBA responds to media on education providers

The UKBA replies to media reports that some educational providers may be stopped from enrolling foreign students.

This came after the MAC report on Tier 1 of the points based system. Tier 1 (post study work), allows migrants to to extend their stay and work inside the UK if they have completed a course of study in the country. The MAC report suggested that the UK Govt should re-assess whether some students enrolled in certain UK education providers' courses should still be allowed to remain in the UK on the post study work category, but the report did not suggest that these education providers or the students enrolled in these institutions were not legitamate.

Tier 4 of the UKBA points system puts responsibility on the Education Providers and ensures greater control of these educational institutions and the students enrolling in courses. The UKBA did confirm that any education provider on the list will still be able to register foreign students.

The UKBA will consider the MAC report on Tier 1 and should announce whether they will accept the changes in early 2010.