WWICS Blog

Student Visa Tier 4 Changes in Effect from 21 April, 2011
Posted on : 25 April, 2011

Post a public consultation, new changes have been introduced in the student visa rules of the UK on 21st April, 2011. As per the revised rules, the student visas have become relatively stringent as the UK intends to attract only the best and genuine students to the country.

Some of the major changes in the student visas are with reference to English language requirements, sponsorship, funds and work rights.

The changes in Sponsorship entail that the sponsors who wish to sponsor foreign students at their colleges or university must be accredited by Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED) or its ‘devolved equivalents’. Further, for the institutions, which have not yet met the requirements, a limit on the number of sponsorships has been put in place. However, all the sponsors must achieve "Highly Trusted Sponsor" status and be accredited by a relevant agency by the year 2012.

For the English language, students who aim at obtaining a visa under the Tier 4 student route must provide a test certificate from an independent English language test provider as proof of their English language ability. The same is applicable for the students who are not attending an undergraduate program or above.

For all the students, who are coming to study at degree level or above, a university can vouch for a student's English language ability. Furthermore, the same requirement can also be waived for "truly exceptional students".

In terms of Funding requirements, as per the new UK student visa rules, the Tier 4 applicants would now be required to sign a declaration stating that they possess suffice funds to support their stay while studying in the UK. All the bank statements from the UK Border Agency approved banks would be allowed.

The work rights for all the students at the universities would be preserved to 20 hours per week with a work / study ratio of 50/50. However, for the publically funded FE colleges the work hours are 10 per week, while for other students no work rights are in place.

All the Government Sponsored students or students enrolled in a post graduate course at a university would be able to bring in Dependents. The dependents would also be allowed to work; however, it is mandatory that the duration of the course of the applicant is not longer than 12 months.

Along with the changes in the Tier 4 student visa, the Post Study Work Route of Tier 1 would end in April 2012. Under the Tier 1 Post Study Work Route, the students can work in the UK for up to a span of two years and during this time, the students can find permanent employment.

In the wake of the stringent changes, Col BS Sandhu (Retd), CMD, WWICS Group said that the mentioned changes in the student visa rules have been put in place to contain the abuse of immigration. He said that the proposed changes aim at delivering a strong migration system, thus, ensuring that the UK remains on the best countries for study abroad for the students worldwide.