The United Kingdom has recently introduced a new visa regime for Indian and other students of non-European Union countries to prevent fraud and to provide for more stringent immigration checks. The change has primarily been made to check fraud and stop misuse of student visas.
From March 31, 2009 onwards, all British education providers (schools, colleges, universities) who recruit international students need to be registered with the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
More than 2,100 universities, independent schools and colleges have applied to be licensed sponsors. The institutions are responsible for ensuring that international students comply with the conditions of their visas while they are in the UK.
Strict Norms
Before a student makes a visa application, he needs to ensure that he has an unconditional offer of a study place from a licensed education provider.
The student also needs to show that he has sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs during his studies. The student will be issued with a visa for study at a particular institution, and for the full duration of his course if degree level or above.
The new measures make sure people who come here to study and the people who teach them play by the rules. This new tier of the points based system allows us to know exactly who is coming to the UK to study and crack down on bogus colleges.
Universities UK, which represents British universities, has protested that the new rules are likely to hit students from the subcontinent and Africa as often they do not have sufficient savings and work part-time to support their studies.
In 2008, almost 29,000 Indian students received visas to study in the UK. This represents a 30 per cent increase on 2007 figure.
Point-Based Immigration System
In a major relief to medical students in particular, the maximum length of the Tier 4 visa has been increased from the planned four years to cover the entire duration of a student’s course. The UK introduced a new points-based immigration system for non-European Union migrants in a major overhaul of its immigration system in 2008 and now the five-tier system has been fully implemented.
Highly-skilled migrants come under the first tier, Tier 2 comprises of skilled workers with a job offer, Tier 3 covers low-skilled workers, Tier 4 is for students, and Tier 5 for temporary workers like musicians, actors and sportsmen.
From now, all nonEuropean Economic Area citizens will have to apply for visas under the tier-system. Tier 3, however, has been suspended for all countries expect the European Union. Only licensed institutions are allowed to recruit students from non-EEA coun tries.
Student Visa Requirements
The following are the basic requirements for student visa:
* Foreign students need to prove they have unconditional offer of a seat at a licensed college, university or school.
* All details and evidence provided to secure admission.
* Prove that they can financially support themselves and their dependants for at least nine months.
(1) If the course is for nine months and the institution is in London, prospective students need show funds to cover course fees and 800 pound for each month.
(2) If the institution is out side London, it is required to show funds to cover fees and 600 pound for each month.
(3) If the course is for more than nine months and the institution is in London, candidate must show funds to cover course fees for the first year and 7, 200 pound.
(4) If the institution is outside London, prospective students need to show funds to cover course fees for the first year and 5, 400 pound.
* Give their biometric details to the UKBA.
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