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UKBA Changes and Updates

UK Immigration Rules are subject to change. To help you understand the changes, this page summarises the UKBA announcements that may affect UEL students. Please click on the relevant changes for further information. 

Processing problems with the City and Guilds certificates in Bangladesh

On 24 April the UK Border Agency issued the following announcement:

"Due to processing problems the City & Guilds English language certificates issued in Bangladesh are temporarily not accepted, in support of your visa applications.

Until further notice, if you are submitting a certificate from this institution then please be aware that this could affect the outcome of your visa application.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please check the UKBA News for further updates."

If you think this may affect you, please contact the International Student Advice Team.

'Print and Send' Application Form for Tier 4 Applications in the UK

From the 5 April 2013, all Tier 4 (General) applications that are made in the UK are advised to be submitted via online 'print and send' application form.  It is currently unclear whether or not paper applications will be accepted after 7 April 2013. The only exceptions are:

  • Applicants who are using the Super Premium Service
  • Applicants who have already booked a Public Enquiry Office appointment

We therefore strongly encourage all other applicants to use the 'Print and Send' service. Please note: The new application fees are applicable to all applications - including those made using the paper form.

To apply, go to https://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iapply.portal to create your online account. We will be providing more information about this process on these pages shortly.

You can find a summary of the changes and the introduction of 'Print and Send' on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.

PhD students options after study

On 14 March 2013 the UKBA announced that:

From 6 April 2013 changes are being made to the student route (Tier 4). This will mean that if you are a PhD student completing your course, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 12 months, beyond the end of your course to find skilled work or to set up as an entrepreneur.

This will be known as the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

Please see UEL updated pages on this scheme here and UKBA news here. 

 

The UK Border Agency are introducing new application fees from 6 April 2013.

For those applications relating to Tier 4, the fees are as follows:

Applications made in the UK:

From now until 6 April 2013

6 April 2013 onwards

Tier 4 postal £394

Tier 4 postal £406

Tier 4 in person £716

Tier 4 in person £781 (inclusive of the £100 appointment fee which may be retained if you fail to attend)

PBS Dependant postal

  •  £197 (applying together with main applicant)
  •  £561 (applying separately)

PBS Dependant postal

  •   £305 (applying together with main applicant)
  •   £406 (applying separately)

PBS Dependant in person

  • £358 (applying together with main applicant)
  • £867(applying separately)

PBS Dependant in person

  •  £680 (applying together with main applicant)
  •  £781(applying separately)

Applications made outside the UK:

From now until 6 April 2013

6 April 2013 onwards

Tier 4: £289

Tier 4: £298

PBS Dependant: £289

PBS Dependant: £298

You can find the full list of new fees here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/fees-2013.pdf

ATAS applications

UPDATED 8 APRIL 2013

The ATAS Unit confirmed on 08 April 2013 that the new online process for ATAS applications will be available from Monday 15 April 2013. Where possible applicants are asked not to submit an application for ATAS clearance between mid-March and 15 April 2013. If you think that this might be a problem for your Tier 4 application, please contact the ISA team isa@uel.ac.uk , as we may be able to contact the UKBA on your behalf.

See further information about ATAS clearance see http://www.uel.ac.uk/international/advice/student-visas/t4-extension-in-uk/index.htm#atas

 

Loans and Loan Letters

If you are planning to use a loan as evidence of finances for a Tier 4 application, remember to check the Tier 4 Policy Guidance carefully. The requirements for the format of loan letters changed on 28 February 2013.

Your loan letter must state that the loan is provided by a national government, a state or regional government, or a government sponsored student loan company or that it is part of an academic or educational loans scheme. You will not be able to use a loan that does not meet one of these requirements. See Tier 4 Policy Guidance http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf Paragraph 180(v).

 

Tuberculosis (TB) clearance certificates required for student visa applications made in India from 1st November 2012

Student visa applications made in India from 1st November 2012 must be accompanied by a valid tuberculosis (TB) clearance certificate for visas longer than 6 months. You will not need a TB clearance certificate if you are coming to the UK on a 6 month student visitor visa.
TB screening and certificates will only be accepted from a clinic approved by the UK Border Agency. Please see the list of UKBA approved clinics and the UKBA applying for a visa page for more information.

New Tier 4 and PBS Dependant Application Forms and Help Text from 1 October 2012

The UK Border Agency have published new application forms to be used for all Tier 4 and PBS applications. The ISA team are currently in the process of updating our interactive forms, but in the meantime you can find the new application form and help text here: Tier 4
PBS Dependants

New Regulations for Overstayers

From 1 October 2012 the UK Border Agency will refuse all applications for further leave if you have overstayed your leave by more than 28 days at the point you made your application. Please see UK Border Agency news for more information.

Change to length of time permitting application in UK if changing courses

The UK Border Agency have introduced changes that may affect applicants with current Tier 4 leave who are starting a new course at UEL. If you are applying to extend your Tier 4 (Student) leave the gap between the end of your current leave and the start of your Programme at UEL must be no more than 28 days. This change will affect all Tier 4 applications for further leave to remain that are made on or after 1 October 2012. Please see UK Border Agency news for more information.

Financial Institutions of Cameroon and Ghana added to UKBA Verification List

On 13 July 2012 the UKBA published list of financial institutions in Cameroon and Ghana whose financial statements are accepted. For the full list, please check UKBA website.

New Tier 4 Policy Guidance

A new Tier 4 Policy Guidance was published by UKBA on 9th July 2012. Please ensure that you have access to most updated version. For more information please check: Tier 4 Policy Guidance

New Interviews for Students Applying Overseas

Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced that a targeted interview system for students will be introduced this summer. Please note that you may be interviewed and asked a number of questions about your immigration and education history, study and post-study plans, and financial circumstances. For further information please see UKBA website.

New Regulations for Overstayers

From 1 October 2012 if you have overstayed your leave by more than 28 days any application for further leave will be refused. If you would like to remain in the UK after the 28 day period you should leave the UK and reapply for a visa overseas. Please see UKBA website for more information.

New PBS Dependant application form

On 14 June 2012 the UK Border Agency published new versions of the PBS Dependant Application Form and Policy Guidance on dependants of points-based system migrants. You should use the new form if you apply on or after 14 June 2012.

Please see UK Border Agency for futher information.

UKBA to expand list of countries for pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to applying for Entry Clearance to the UK

The UK Border Agency will be introducing additional countries for tuberculosis (TB) screening before visa application for migrants entering UK for over six months. Please see UK Border Agency website for further information.

UKBA implement changes affecting study, post-study work and maintenance requirements (In place from 06 April 2012. Announced 13 February 2012)

The UKBA released a Statement of Intent on 13 February 2012, outlining their intentions for the next set of changes to the Immigration Rules. These changes were laid in the Immigration Rules on 15 March 2012, and began to take effect from 06 April 2012.

Please see UKBA announcement for details of all the changes.

We have provided a summary below of the main changes which may affect students at UEL.

Please note - if you were unable to attend a Stop Press Briefing, these changes have now been incorporated into the monthly ISA workshops.

Maintenance requirements

On 6 April 2012 the amount of money you are required to show for maintenance increased to the following:

Category

Amount required from 6 April 2012

Previously required

Tier 4

£1000 per month*

£800 per month*

Dependants of Tier 4

£600 per month*

£533 per month*

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)

£1800

£1600

Dependants of Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)

£600

£533

From 14 June 2012 the amount of money you are required to show for maintenance will increase to the following:

Category

Amount required from 14 June 2012

Previously required

Tier 1

applying for further leave from within the UK

£900

£800

applying for entry clearance from outside the UK

£3100

£2800

Dependants of Tier 1

where the main applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months

£1800

£1600

where the main applicant has been in the UK for more than 12 months

£600

£533

Tier 2

£900

£800

Dependants of Tier 2

£600

£533

*see Money Requirements for how many months to show.

University accommodation payments

If you pay accommodation fees to UEL, you will be able to deduct a maximum of £1,000 from the maintenance you have to show when you make your Tier 4 application, even if you have paid more than this.

For example:  Bemi is a new student who does not have a current visa, so is required to show the higher maintenance of £9000. She has a place in the University Halls of Residence, and has paid a deposit and rent in advance of £1200. She can therefore deduct £1000 from the £9000 she is required to show, and only has to show £8000. This would be in addition to any outstanding tuition fees that she may owe.

Amount of time spent in the UK under Tier 4

The amount of time you can study at degree level (NQFL 6 or above) on a Tier 4 visa will be limited to 5 years.

When applying for a Tier 4 visa, the amount of time you have previously spent studying in the UK will be considered. When calculating whether or not the five year limit applies to you, all time spent studying in the UK at degree level or above, whilst on aTier 4 visa or pre-Tier 4 visa (student visa issued prior to 31March 2009) will be taken into account.

This will not apply to:

  • Architecture students
  • PhD students*
  • Students whose UG course was 4 or 5 years in duration who are now applying for a Masters course NB this does not apply if you take longer than expected to complete your course, for example to undertake re-sits.

Only time spent studying is included - the period of leave granted after the course end date is not included. However, you are advised to be cautious about time counted towards the five year limit.

*PhD students and applicants: You be exempt from the time limit while you study for your PhD. However, you will not be granted any further leave under Tier 4 once you have completed your PhD if this further grant of leave would result in you spending more than eight years in the UK as a Tier 4 (General) student.

If you are unclear as to whether this applies to you, please email isa@uel.ac.uk.

Staying to work in the UK after studies

The Tier 1 PSW route closed on 6 April 2012.

Graduates who have been awarded a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, a PhD or PGCE or PGDE are now eligible to apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa, without your employer having to show that no one in the settled labour market could do the job before offering it to you.

All other requirements for Tier 2 will still apply, that is, the visa is linked to the job, which must be graduate level with a salary of more than £20k or industry equivalent.

Tier 2 migrants will be able to bring dependants.

See Working After Your Studies for further information.

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

A CAS will be issued separately for the pre-sessional and main courses. If you have obtained a B1 Secure English Language Test certificate, it may be possible to issue a linked CAS covering both the pre-sessional and main courses.

Graduate Entrepreneurs

A new scheme was introduced on 6 April 2012 to allow those with “world class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills” who are not ready to meet the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) requirements to remain in the UK, with sponsorship by their University. This scheme will be open to all Higher Education Institutions with Highly Trusted Sponsor status for Tier 4 with a limit of  1000 places for the first year. UEL is currently looking into this scheme and will update these pages in due course.

See update on UKBA website for further details.

The UK Border Agency publishes lists of financial institutions that are not deemed acceptable for use in Tier 4 applications (24 November 2011)

The UK Border Agency has published its lists of financial institutions that do not verify financial statements to the satisfaction of the UK Government. They are in India, Pakistan and the Philippines. The UK Border Agency has also published lists of institutions in those countries that do satisfactorily verify financial statements.

Who does this apply to?

Applicants and current students who are making a Tier 4 application using funds in India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

When was it introduced?

The lists of institutions whose accounts cannot be relied on for Tier 4 immigration applications became effective on 24 November 2011. If you apply on or after this date with financial documents issued by these institutions, the UK Border Agency will refuse your application. However, you should be aware that if you used documents from these institutions before 24 November 2011, your application runs a higher risk than usual of refusal because the UK Border Agency is likely to have problems verifying your documents. You should ensure that your funds are in an account with one of the institutions that is acceptable to the UK Border Agency before you make your immigration application.

Where can I find these lists?

Please see UKBA website for the most up to date lists.

What should I do if I am applying using funds in India/ Pakistan/ the Philippines?

Click on the link above and check if the institution where you are holding your funds is deemed acceptable by the UK Border Agency.

If the institution is not deemed acceptable, please email isa@uel.ac.uk with details of the financial institution, and when you are planning to apply for your visa. We can then advise on the most appropriate form of action, depending on your given timeframe.

Where can I find out more?

Please see UKBA news pages and UKCISA website for more information.

 

Changes to Tier 4 Rules: Came into effect on 4th July 2011

On 4th July 2011 the UK Border Agency implemented a series of changes to the Tier 4 rules (as part of their previously announced statement on proposed changes made in March 2011). Click here to see more about the changes that took place on 4th July 2011

On 31st March 2011 the UK Border Agency announced changes to the Immigration rules relating to Tier 4 Student Visas and Post Study Work, which will take effect at varying times from April 2011 to April 2012. Click here for more detailed summary of changes announced by the UKBA

Also check the UK Border Agency website for news and information. The closed consulation process regarding these changes can be found here.

Comments & Suggestions:

Did you find these webpages useful? Is there anything that could be improved/ amended? If you have any comments or suggestions regarding our webpages and its contents, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email any comments/ suggestions to isa@uel.ac.uk

Page updated 08/04/13

Tier 4 Sponsor Licence

University of East London (UEL) holds a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence and is listed on the UKBA register as a Highly Trusted Sponsor

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