New UK Student Visa Rules 2011

Fake student visa applications reached a peak in 2010 prompting the UK government to react and re-address how UK student visas are being issued. These changes are meant to deliver a strong migration system which will tackles immigration abuse with the government keen to curb net migration to below 100,000 a year.

Some estimates we have read believe that the government approach will cut foreign student visa numbers by 230,000 over five years. In 2010 it wa estimated by the Migrant Watch that almost 50% of all immigrants arriving in the UK came to study but unfortunately many of these students had fake and even forged visa supporting documents – all possible and easy to do under the old system.

This all sounds good: clean up a visa immigration system that was clearing being abused, however, many within the education industry, a £40bn-a-year industry, are concerned that the new rules will dissuade students from coming to study in the UK.

The changes to the student visa system came into force in April 2011 including tightening of the accreditation process for private colleges and schools that used to previously issue student visa’s on behalf of students.

What Are The Changes To The UK Student Visa System?

Work restrictions during term-time: The only students allowed to work (for a maximum of 20 hours during term-time) will be those studying at a recognised UK university. Those studying their courses at publically funded colleges will be able to work ten hours per week during term-time whilst students holding visa applications to professional courses at privately-funded colleges, or language schools, will not be allowed to at any time during their studies.

New laws on dependants: From July 4th, 2011, only postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities on a course with a minimum of at least a year will be allowed to bring their dependants and will be able to work, legally, in the UK.

New educational accreditation process: From April 2012 onwards, academic institutions, including private colleges wanting to sponsor students will need to obtain a Highly Trusted Sponsor licence. In addition, sponsoring colleges and institutions will have to become accredited by a statutory education inspection before December 2012.

Student Visa dependent on the English language: Students studying at a level 7 degree level must be able to speak English with fluency and will have to obtain a ‘Secure English Language Test Certificate’ from an approved test provider. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) can forbid entry to students who are unable to speak English.

Time duration of a Student Visa: The UKBA has decided to limit the total time a student can spend in the UK to a maximum of three years.

Proof of student personal finances: The UKBA has demanded that students produce clear evidence that they are self-sufficient.

Post-study work: The ‘Post-Study Work’ (PSW) visa will be scrapped from April 2012. The PSW route was very popular with many private colleges to attract students to the UK since it allowed their foreign students to remain in the UK for a further two years after completing their studies to seek employment. The new 2011 and 2012 visa rules stipulates that students will have to return to their home country to resend their visa visa applications for Tier 2-level visas, (which grant work permits). In other words, a graduate will need a graduate-level job offer from an employer with a sponsoring Tier-2 licence holder.

In conclusion and summary, we feel that this is overall good news for the UK and those who feel passionate about the quality of the courses they teach. For too long dodgy schools run by profit motivated “educators” abused the system. The tougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the PSW visa will ensure that genuine students come to the UK ensuring that British universities and education providers remain at the forefront of international student recruitment.