Visa Updates from the UK Border Agency February 20101. The UKBA has published a statement on their website regarding the Tier 4 Review, which can be accessed here. A written ministerial statement is available as a download on the right hand side of this page. The changes coming into force on 3 March will: • halve the amount of time students studying below degree level (except students on foundation degrees) can work during term time from 20 to 10 hours a week; • ban students who are studying on courses of six months or less from bringing their dependants with them to the UK; and • ban the dependants of students studying below degree level (except foundation degree students) from working unless they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, Sportsperson or Minister of Religion. • raise the bar for English language studies (except for pre-sessional courses and those students who are government sponsored) from level A2 (beginner) on the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR) to B2 (intermediate), and require such students to be at level B1 to qualify to enter under Tier 4. More changes are expected to follow, including making students demonstrate their English level through approved secure tests, and the creation of a Highly Trusted Sponsor category. From April 6, only those with highly trusted status will be able to offer courses at National Qualifications Framework level 3 (and its equivalents) and courses with work placements below degree level.
2. The CAS system is now live Since 22 February 2010 visa letters are no longer accepted for a visa application form. Students now require a CAS number, which is provided by the sponsor, to apply for their visa. There are other changes that have also taken place since 22 February: • A new visa application form has been produced for applications in the UK and the self assessment form for overseas application (Appendix 8) has also been updated. Form VAF9 remains unchanged. • It has become mandatory for sponsors to report students to UKBA about no-shows and non-attendance via the Sponsor Management System. The guidance document for students has been updated and UKBA have also produced a Q&A for students. Please download it here.
3. Visa fees for applications overseas will rise to £199 from 6 April 2010. Fees for applications in the UK remain unchanged for 2010-2011.
4. English UK has put together a quick guide for students about suspended centres. Please click here to download it. Please note this is only a quick guide. Students/sponsors should always refer to the official UKBA guidance.
5. The Tier 4 Enquires mailbox was created to handle specific queries from the IT working group. Over time, the purpose of this email address was altered from its original remit, and the UKBA thus announced the closure of the Tier 4 mailbox from 5pm on 12th February 2010. The specific communication routes members should use going forward are detailed below:
• Sponsorship - General Enquiries Who: For educational institutions, employers and registered sponsors What: General enquiries, SMS issues, user IDs and passwords, confirmation of receipt of payments and ongoing application queries. sponsorshippbsenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk - 03001234699 • Student Systems and Control Teams (SSCT) Who: Educational institutions and students What: External e-mail box to which educational institutions report non-enrolment, non attendance and change of circumstances. Currently used for Tier 4 and legacy student routes. It is also used by students to notify UKBA of change of circumstances and request "Permission to Study" letters. migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk • UK Visas - General Enquiries Who: Everyone What: For all queries pertaining to cases and decisions made at overseas posts. Also, processing times, Visa Application Centres and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/customerservices/ • Immigration Enquiry Bureau (IEB) Who: Migrants What: For all enquiries pertaining to marriage, working in the United Kingdom, studying in the United Kingdom, transfer of conditions, settlement and knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom. UKBApublicenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
For further information directly from the UK Border agency website, please go to: |
+44 (0) 20 7499 8533
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