English Level to be raised

The Home Office in the UK has recently sent a detailed proposal to all Ministers with an aim to increase the level of English needed by students arriving in the UK to Study.

In order for the Govt to reduce the numbers the Student Visa Route will surely be scrutinized thoroughly in particular those Foreign Student Studying at below Degree Level courses.

1 option proposed is to raise the English Level for the Students Studying at below Degree level only, the level at present is set at a score of B1 on the CEFR. The raising of the level to B2 wold basically mean a required level from intermediate to upper-intermediate

The Extended Student Visitor changes are meant to alleviate some of the concern from the English Language Education Sector, these changes allow the student visitor to stay in the UK for up to 11 months BUT this category would not necessarily satisfy all of the industry's requirements.

UK Tutor Scam Investigation Video

Jan 12.2011

A University Lecturer and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate has been accused of defrauding students out of thousands of Pounds:

Extended Student Visitor Visa for Students Studying English in the UK

10.01.2011

ENGLISH LANGUAGE students looking to study only English Language Courses will from today be able to apply for a STUDENT VISITOR VISA which will allow these students to stay in the UK for up to 11 months.

This extended STUDENT VISITOR VISA will be available exclusively to applications made outside the UK.

Please note that the requirements and restrictions of the EXTENDED STUDENT VISITOR will be the same as the current STUDENT VISITOR. Applicants under this STUDENT VISITOR VISA are NOT ALLOWED:

TO WORK
TO TAKE UP A WORK PLACEMENT
TO BRING DEPENDENTS
TO EXTEND THIS VISA

THIS EXTENDED STUDENT VISITOR VISA does NOT affect any applications to study NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES in the UK for longer than six months, and anyone thinking of applying for a course like this (Longer than six months and non English Language) needs to still apply under the TIER 4 rules of the POINTS BASED SYSTEM.

Tier 4 English language testing introduced today

12 Aug 2010 Today the compulsory English language testing comes in to affect for all Tier 4 students who are studying a course in the UK that is below degree level.

Any student applying to study in the UK for one of these type courses has to show that they have a sufficient level of English and only certain approved test providers will be able to administer the tests. The approved list of English language test providers can change so it is a good idea to keep checking the UKBA website for the most updated list.

Please also note that this requirement will not apply for English courses in the UK.

Tier 4 UK Student Visa Changes

Once again the UKBA is making a series changes to the Tier 4 student visa.

The Level of English Language Study: from the 23rd of July 2010 the minimum level of English language course that will be allowed under Tier 4 will be LEVEL B2 of the Common European Framework of Referencee. The previous exceptions to this level which previously applied to government sponsored language students and those students studying a pre-sessional English Language course before studying a degree STILL REMAIN IN PLACE.

Students Applying to Change to a different education institute: From the 23rd July 2010 existing Tier 4 students who want to change to a Highly Trusted Sponsor will be able to begin their studies while they are waiting for the UK Border Agency to process their application to change sponsor.

Students that are applying to change to an A or B rated sponsor will NOT be allowed to start studying at the institution until they receive a positive answer from the UK Border Agency BUT the UKBA has put some procedures in place that should help avoid delays in students beginning there studies at A or B rated sponsors.

US Student Loans: Recent changes to the way the USA Govt processes Student Loans, From 1 July 2010, UK Institutions participating in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program will be authorized to give Federal Direct Loans to students from the USA wishing to Study in the UK.

This change also affects applicants wishing to study under the Tier 4 route, and the UKBA has drafted a template letter for use under the Tier 4. All UK sponsors should use this letter when accepting prospective students with loans from the USA.

English Language Tests On the 12 August 2010 the requirement for sponsors to assess potential students' level of English will change.

If a Tier 4 student will be studyign a course that is below NQF level 6, using a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study issued on or after 12 August 2010, the Tier 4 Sponsor MUST ENSURE that the student has an acceptable level of English- Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference by showing:

:that they are from a Majority English Speaking Country listed below:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia,the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,Canada, Dominica,Grenada,Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand,St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America

OR that they have completed a course on Tier 4 (child) student which lasted at least 6 months and ended no more than two years before the date on the CAS

OR have passed an English language test with one of the approved English Language Test Providers and received a minimum level of B1 in all four areas (Reading, writing, speaking and listening). You can have a look at the list of approved Test providers by clicking HERE

Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme

The UKBA has begun the 'highly trusted sponsor scheme' for educational institutes under Tier 4 of the points based system.

Tier 4 sponsor register will go live on the 6 April 2010 and education providers can apply for the license from today (23.03.2010).

In order for an institute to qualify as a highly trusted sponsor under Tier 4 an education provider should have a proven track record in registering legitimate international students that comply with all immigration rules under their visa.

The main difference with other Tier 4 sponsors is that a trusted sponsor will have a wider range of courses for overseas students.

New Visa Fees Being Introduced in April 2010:

Points Based Visas

Tier 1 (General/Investor/Entrpreneuer) - 690

Tier 1 (Post Study) - 315

Tier 2 (270) - 270

Tier 4 - 199

Tier 5 - 128

Non Points Based Visas

Short Term Visitors Visa (up to 2 yrs) - 68

Long Term Visitors Visa (up to 5 yrs) - 420

Long Term Visitors Visa ( up t0 10 yrs) - 610

Settlement Visa - 644

Settlement Visa - Dependent Relative - 1680

Transit Visa - 47

Certificate of Entitlement - 220

Vignette Transfer Fee - 75

Updated Changes to Tier 4 -Student Visa application

03.03 2010 Today new changes to the Tier 4 Visa applications were introduced, the new requirements are:

English language course levels have been raised to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Tier 4 (General) applicants studying a course below degree level and any course that is not a foundation degree will now be able to work only for 10 hours per week during term.

Tier 4 applicants applying for a course which is 6 months or less are no longer able to bring family members

Dependents (family members) of Tier 4 applicants studying a course lower than degree level will no longer be allowed to work on the basis of being a dependent

All applications under Tier 4 submitted before 3 March 2010 will be considered in line with the rules that were in place at that time of application

More changes are scheduled to come in April 2010 and it I highly suggest to anyone considering studying in the UK to consider using an agent or at the very least to do as much research into the Tier 4 rules and recent changes before submitting so as to avoid any refusals or unnecessary delays.

Education Providers have new responsibilities for migrants

25 Jan 2010 Phase 4 of the Tier 4 will come into affect next month changing the method of sponsoring students under the points-based system. From 22 February 2010 visa letters will no longer be used and Tier 4 Sponsors willm need to use the sponsorship management system to issue confirmations of acceptance of studies to all potential students inside the UK or applying from outside the UK.

For more information about Tier 4 changes check out the most updated Tier 4 sponsor guidance notes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pbsguidance/guidancefrom31mar09/sponsor-app-guidance-t4.pdf?view=Binary

UK Marriage Visa update

We have been involved in UK immigration matters for the past 6 years roughly, over the years we have witnessed the many changes and additions to the UK Visa laws.

I personally have submitted most application types that have been available over the past few years:

Old HSMP
Work Permits
Sole Representative Visas
Marriage Visas
Dependent Visas
Student Visas

Recently I have witnessed a real tightening of the way the UKBA and entry clearance officers are looking at Visas and the supporting evidence required with each application.

Even though there are guidance notes for each application there are still various details/questions that the public often have a hard time confirming. Family based applications were excluded from the Points Based System but it is my opinion that these applications too have become far more of a challenge than previously.

Recently a UK Marriage Visa was submitted through the Visa processing office in Turkey, Istanbul and normally with the documentation that was provided an approval should been reached within 4-6 weeks BUT the approach the caseworker used when deciding on the case made it impossible for an approval and the application was sent back refused.

This was the first time I had ever seen a marriage visa application refusal and you can imagine the disappointment for the applicant and British Spouse.

One thing noticed that even though there should be Generic supporting evidence for each application the truth is that each application has to have a thorough and clear explanation that confirms each piece of evidence and what it is confirming or trying to demonstrate.

Do not expect the entry clearance officer to understand or make sense of just a whole bunch of papers...it is vital to either use a professional visa/immigration agent or to have a step by step explanation to avoid any issues or delays.

Latest Statement of Change in Immigration Rules

10 December 2009 The most recent Statement of Change in UK Immigration rules was presented to parliament.

These changes included:

• Applications for leave to remain or settlement on the basis of long residence will no longer be assessed by UK Border Agency Public Enquiry Posts
• Within the child visitor category there will be a provision to permit exchange visits by overseas students to state funded and other schools
• Tier 4 Migrants will require an electronic confirmation of acceptance of studies in order to score the necessary points to come and study in the UK
• Overseas govt workers will now provide a route to switch for these people in to the Tier 5 category which is meant for temporary workers

These changes are due to come into affect on January 1st 2010 except the Tier 4 changes which will come into play on the 22 February 2010

Some facts and figures from UK Visas

• Facts and figures from UK Visas:
• 
  
• In 2008 and 2009 they received 2,43 million applications fewer than in 2007/9:

• Applications were down in all major categories except for Student Visas which were up 2% overall

• The Points Based System was initiated during 2008-9 attracting over 50,000 applications
• 
  
• The overall refusal rate was 19%, up 1% on 2007-08
• 
  
• more than 50% of all visa applications were for visits

• The top nationality by application by application amount remains Indian, followed by Nigerian, Pakistani, Chinese and Russian.

• The top visa issuing offices remain New Delhi, Chennai, Moscow, Mumbai and Istanbul.

UK Govt responds to media on Tier 4 abuse

08 Dec 2009. The British Government answered to accusations by UK Media that the Tier 4 of the points based system is being abused by foreigners not really studying.

The UKBA answered by saying that they still have the ability and training to pick up forged documents and phony applications and that anyone found do so can be banned from making future applications for 10 years.

They then went on to reiterate that any institute on the Tier 4 sponsor found enrolling migrants that do not intend on studying will have their license revoked as quickly as possible.