Tag Archive for 'uk visa system'

Some students applying under the Tier 4 (General) category of the points based system will be required to undergo secure English language testing from 12 August 2010.

Any student who will be studying a course in the UK below level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework will be subject to the test. Students’ sponsors will be required to ensure that applicants are competent in the English language at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Students can demonstrate this to their sponsors in the following ways:

The UK has lifted a ban on student visas for applicants from Northern India. The ban was introduced last month after a surge in applications from this region.

Pat McFadden, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, said, “I am delighted to be able to announce today that from 1 March this suspension will be lifted for all students wanting to study higher education courses, whether foundation degrees, undergraduate or postgraduate.”

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.