Tough UK Student Visa Norms Come Into Effect

[SpArK]

Tough UK Student Visa Norms Come Into Effect
​

Tough new rules applicable for students from India and other non-European Union countries have came into effect as part of the David Cameron government's promise to prevent abuse of the visa system and substantially reduce immigration during its term in office.

The new rules include tougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post-study work route, which was popular among self-financing students from India.

From April 2012, any institution wanting to sponsor students will need to be classed as a Highly Trusted sponsor, and will need to become accredited by a statutory education inspection body by the end of 2012.

The system until yesterday did not require this, and allowed many poor-quality colleges to become sponsors.

Students coming to study at degree level will need to speak English at an 'upper intermediate' level, rather than the current 'lower intermediate' requirement.

Immigration officials will be able to refuse entry to students who cannot speak English without an interpreter, and who therefore do not meet the minimum standard.

Students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges will retain their current work rights, but all other students will have no right to work.

Only postgraduate students at universities and government-sponsored students will be able to bring their dependants. So far, all students on longer courses could bring dependants.

A limit has been placed on the overall time that can be spent on a student visa to 3 years at lower levels and 5 years at higher levels.

The post-study work route, which allowed students two years to seek employment after their course ends, has been closed.

Only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay to work.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "International students not only make a vital contribution to the UK economy but they also help make our education system one of the best in the world. But it has become very apparent that the old student visa regime failed to control immigration and failed to protect legitimate students from poor-quality colleges."

She added: "My aim is not to stop genuine students coming here - it is to eliminate abuse within the system. Our stricter accreditation process will see only first-class education providers given licences to sponsor students".
FILED ON: APR 22, 2011

news.outlookindia.com | Tough UK Student Visa Norms Come Into Effect

 

[Asian.Century]

Simply say F*Ck the UK and Home Office UKBA and study at better places elsewhere.

Evil British first gave visas to all students including knowingly bogus colleges, submitting thousands of pounds and now the fraudsters British show themselves as innocent trying to limit people. Basically looting money and with this new stupid English test (SELT), students would have to give more money to this David Cameron Govt, All wants this govt. removed as soon as possible.

 

[Ahmad]

Simply say F*Ck the UK and Home Office UKBA and study at better places elsewhere.

Evil British first gave visas to all students including knowingly bogus colleges, submitting thousands of pounds and now the fraudsters British show themselves as innocent trying to limit people. Basically looting money and with this new stupid English test (SELT), students would have to give more money to this David Cameron Govt, All wants this govt. removed as soon as possible.

the thing is buddy, it is people who want to come to the UK, nobody asked to come here(myself included), and if you are talking about the other better places, trust me entering to those places might be tougher who knows. And yes, that English Test is absolutely necessary, if you want to study here then you should know the language, i am also strongly in favour of getting tough with applicants applying for British Citizenship, they must know enough and decent English to become citizens, otherwise a big no, it is good for them as well, as it will be easier for them to take advantage of opportunities for themselves, i have seen many many british passport holders with almost zero knowledge of the language of the country or other general information.

 

[desioptimist]

Simply say F*Ck the UK and Home Office UKBA and study at better places elsewhere.

Evil British first gave visas to all students including knowingly bogus colleges, submitting thousands of pounds and now the fraudsters British show themselves as innocent trying to limit people. Basically looting money and with this new stupid English test (SELT), students would have to give more money to this David Cameron Govt, All wants this govt. removed as soon as possible.

Student visa was the most abused british visa. This change does not apply to those who are already inside but to the new student. I am sure the any new student is aware of new rules before trying to come here.
It will mean more genuine students rather than those who want to work in burger shops, try to extend visa as much as they can.

Other way to do is to stop foreign student from working, and I think that will be unfair. Students who genuinely come here to study should be able to earn bit of pocket money to help them buy books and should not make them feel poor.

 

[Aramsogo]

I always found the Home Office to be extremely fair. I worked in the UK on a HSMP visa from the US and the point system seemed very fair. For example, you got more points for coming from a poor country than a rich one like the US. When I applied for a residency permit 2 years later they were also very efficient. The British civil service isn't bad.