What is Highly Trusted Sponsorship?
The principle of sponsorship – whereby those who benefit most directly from the great contributions migrants make to the United Kingdom (employers and education institutions) are expected to play their part in ensuring our migration system is not abuse – is an integral part of the skilled, temporary work and student tiers of the Points Based System for managed migration.
The highly anticipated Highly Trusted Sponsor programme for education providers in the UK was officially launched on 22 March 2010.
Since yesterday when the scheme went live, sponsors under Tier 4 of the points based system have been able to apply for a Highly Trusted Sponsor licence and to be included on the Register of Highly Trusted Sponsors, due to be first published 6 April 2010.
Aimed at preventing terrorists from coming to the UK posing as students, the points based system has been criticised by a new report for delaying and even refusing genuine students a UK visa.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is due to launch the new sponsorship management process for Tier 4 of the points-based system on 5th October 2009.
From 16 June 2008, both the main applicant and any dependents applying for an extension of stay (further leave to remain) in the United Kingdom using application forms for students FLR(S) will also need to complete the new section (7) of the application form which covers biometric immigration documents.