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Monthly Archive for January, 2010

Tier 4 Sponsorship Management System Update

Published on January 31, 2010 in UK Immigration News 2010. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

It was announced yesterday by the UK Border Agency that further enhancements to the Points Based System Sponsor Management System would be made. The next tier 4 changes are expected to be implemented on the 22nd February, to coincide with the launch of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies system.

The UKBA sponsorship management system is a brand new database system which allows licensed education and employer sponsors to bring people to the UK and manage their stay too. The UKBA reports that these new changes are the result of consultation with the sponsors themselves and based on feedback following the introduction of the points based system on 1st April 2009.

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Indian Tier 4 (General) Student Visa Applications Suspended

Published on January 31, 2010 in UK Immigration News 2010. 26 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

India accounts for more UK student visa applications than any other country worldwide and following a rise in applications of more than 650% on the same period in 2008, the UK Border Agency has temporarily suspended UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa applications for the UK from Northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Over October, November and December 2008 there were 1,800 student visa applications received from Northern India compared to 13,500 applications over the same period in 2009, from Northern India alone. British officials in the countries concerned have said that the system has been completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications and concerns run high that many applications may not be genuine. And this concern is not misplaced as offers of visa as a route to permanent settlement in the UK are not uncommon in the areas where the suspension is in place.

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Register of Tier 4 Sponsors – 29 January 2010

Published on January 29, 2010 in Tier 4 Sponsors Register. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Differences against the Tier 4 Register 28 January 2010

The following schools and colleges were removed from the Register:

  • English Country Schools Ltd.
  • St Edmund’s School Canterbury

The following schools and colleges were added to the Register:

  • None

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UK Plans Another Shake-up of Visa System

Published on January 29, 2010 in UK Immigration News 2010. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The British industry showed extraordinary dynamism and motivation last year when Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, announced in November that there was to be an unexpected review of the student visa system, with a number of new proposals put forward to prevent  bogus immigrants entering the country.

In fact, the proposals amounted to a full-scale assault on the international education sector and industry bodies were given just 10 days to respond to specific proposals set out by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Hundreds of stakeholders lobbied MPs, signed a petition and returned submissions.

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Regulation with Intent

Published on January 29, 2010 in UK Immigration News 2010. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

When a student studies abroad, I imagine their parents’ concerns revolve around social issues: will my child be happy; will their host family be nice to them; will they make friends? And perhaps academic issues enter their thoughts too: will they make good progress in their studies?

Of course, these two concerns are linked: a happy and settled student is more likely to succeed in their studies. More regulatory concerns such as: will my child receive an adequate refund if they have to cancel their course for an unavoidable reason; what happens if the education provider fails? are unlikely to enter their heads.

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Register of Tier 4 Sponsors – 28 January 2010

Published on January 28, 2010 in Tier 4 Sponsors Register. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Differences against the Tier 4 Register 27 January 2010 The following schools and colleges were removed from the Register:

  • Arthur Mellows Village College
  • Barton Court Grammar School
  • Birkenhead High School
  • Cranleigh School
  • Impington Village college
  • King Edward VII School
  • Lyceum Academy
  • North Tyneside Council
  • Oxbridge College of IT & Management
  • Port Regis
  • Sherborne Preparatory School
  • Stoke Park School and Community Technology College
  • West Berkshire District Council

The following schools and colleges were added to the Register:

  • Badminton School
  • Bladon House School
  • Centre Academy
  • R290 International Group School of Excellence
  • Rookesbury Park School
  • WESTBOURNE HOUSE SCHOOL

Download the Register of Sponsors Tier4: 28 Jan 2010

Students Urged to Swot up on Vaccinations

Published on January 28, 2010 in Studying in the UK. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Students heading back to university following their festive breaks have been urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date as new research* reveals that more than nine out of ten (92%) 16-18 year olds do not think they are likely to catch mumps from other people their age. This is despite Health Protection Agency data showing that mumps is becoming increasingly common amongst this age group.

The survey, commissioned by the Department of Health shows that nearly a third (30%) of older teenagers have never asked family, friends or their GP for advice on immunisation and almost a quarter (23%) would choose not to be vaccinated due to a fear of needles. More than one in five (22%) admitted that they do not know if they have had the MMR vaccination, the most effective way to prevent mumps, as well as measles and rubella.

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Tier 4 Policy Guidance – Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Published on January 28, 2010 in UK Student Visa. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .

Students applying under tier 4 for UK after 22nd February 2010 will no longer be issued with an original visa letter but with a virtual document in a further shakeup to the UK Border Agency’s tier 4 (general) student visa system.

Replacing the visa letter, the confirmation of acceptance for studies is a unique reference number which is assigned to a student by their school or college using the new sponsorship management system. Rather than present an original visa letter with their applications, under this new tier 4 rule students will have to submit their confirmation of acceptance for studies reference number, avoiding the expense of having documents sent secure mail across the world.

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Register of Tier 4 Sponsors – 27 January 2010

Published on January 27, 2010 in Tier 4 Sponsors Register. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .
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