UK overhauls student visa system

The UK has introduced new criteria as a part of the overhaul on the student Visa system in order to minimise abuses of the student immigration system, the British High Commission announced.

In December the UK Government launched a consultation on the reform of the student immigration system. Late yesterday the Home Secretary announced to the UK Parliament the results of this extensive consultation process.

The outcome of the review heralds a new approach with tougher entry criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post-study route.

The main changes announced are as follows:

All UK education institutions that want to be sponsors will have to become Highly Trusted Sponsors by April 2012, and become accredited by statutory education inspection bodies by the end of 2012. The current system does not require this and has allowed too many poor quality colleges to become sponsors. This change will allow universities, independent schools and public sector further education colleges to prosper under a revised student visa system. It will mean that the UK can continue to welcome high-quality international students.

In order to ensure we only accept the brightest and the best students, a good standard of English is crucial. Those coming to study at degree level will have to speak English at an upper intermediate (B2) level of the Common European Framework of Reference. This is an increase from the current B1 level requirement.

UK Border Agency staff will be able to refuse entry to students who cannot speak English without an interpreter and who therefore do not meet the required minimum standard.

There will be new streamlined requirements for the lowest risk students to make the application process easier.

Students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges will retain current work rights, but all other students will no longer have the right to work. There will also be restrictions on work placements on courses provided by non-university sponsors.

Only postgraduate students at universities for longer than 12 months and government-sponsored students will be able to bring their dependants. These dependants will be able to work. At the moment all students on longer courses are able to bring dependants.

There will be a limit on the overall time that can be spent on a student visa in the UK: three years at levels below degree, as now, and five years at degree level and above. At present there is no limit for study at or above degree level.

In recognition of the important contribution they can make to the UK economy, we will continue to allow new international graduates to stay in the UK to take up skilled jobs. But we will end the system where graduates are able to do any level of job, including unskilled work, or no job at all for two years.  In future they will have to secure a skilled job with a Tier 2 sponsor. This will ensure that international graduates undertake work that is valuable to the UK and to them or return home.