14th June 2011: Come 4 July, and the government will restrict work entitlements to migrants studying at higher educational institutions and publicly funded further education colleges only.
This is just one of the many amendments in the next set of changes to the Immigration Rules affecting Tier 4 - the student tier - of the points-based system.
The set of changes has been laid in Parliament and will come into effect on 4 July 2011.
The UK Border Agency said: `The Home Secretary announced changes to the Immigration Rules in a statement to Parliament on 22 March, following a major public consultation on reforming Tier 4. The first set of changes came into effect on 21 April.
`The aim of the revised Immigration Rules is to deliver a strong migration system which tackles immigration abuse, while allowing genuine students to study at genuine colleges.
From 4 July the government will also restrict the sponsorship of dependants to those studying at postgraduate level at higher educational institutions on courses lasting at least 12 months, and government-sponsored students on courses lasting at least 6 months.
Education providers will also be required to vouch that a new course represents genuine academic progression; and ensure that maintenance funds are genuinely available to the applicant, by introducing a declaration on the visa application form.
The UKBA added the changes will also see the publishing of “a list of financial institutions that we consider, on the basis of experience, do not verify financial statements to our satisfaction in more than 50 per cent of a sample of cases”.
Also to be introduced is a streamlined application process for low-risk nationals applying to attend courses with Highly Trusted Sponsors.
The list of courses for which students must receive ATAS clearance will be extended; and the ability to deliver accountancy courses accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will be restricted to those sponsors accorded platinum or gold status by ACCA; and clarify the position of overseas universities with campuses in the UK.
These changes were announced by Immigration Minister Damian Green in a written ministerial statement this morning. You can download this statement, and the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1148) from the right side of this page.
The set of changes has been laid in Parliament and will come into effect on 4 July 2011.
The UK Border Agency said: `The Home Secretary announced changes to the Immigration Rules in a statement to Parliament on 22 March, following a major public consultation on reforming Tier 4. The first set of changes came into effect on 21 April.
`The aim of the revised Immigration Rules is to deliver a strong migration system which tackles immigration abuse, while allowing genuine students to study at genuine colleges.
From 4 July the government will also restrict the sponsorship of dependants to those studying at postgraduate level at higher educational institutions on courses lasting at least 12 months, and government-sponsored students on courses lasting at least 6 months.
Education providers will also be required to vouch that a new course represents genuine academic progression; and ensure that maintenance funds are genuinely available to the applicant, by introducing a declaration on the visa application form.
The UKBA added the changes will also see the publishing of “a list of financial institutions that we consider, on the basis of experience, do not verify financial statements to our satisfaction in more than 50 per cent of a sample of cases”.
Also to be introduced is a streamlined application process for low-risk nationals applying to attend courses with Highly Trusted Sponsors.
The list of courses for which students must receive ATAS clearance will be extended; and the ability to deliver accountancy courses accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will be restricted to those sponsors accorded platinum or gold status by ACCA; and clarify the position of overseas universities with campuses in the UK.
These changes were announced by Immigration Minister Damian Green in a written ministerial statement this morning. You can download this statement, and the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1148) from the right side of this page.