Following on from a number of questions, much discussion from our readers – and a real concern over lack of information from the UK Border Agency, Embassies, schools and colleges –we’re going to do a series of posts focusing on schools and colleges removed from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register. In this series of posts we’ll cover the following topics (we’ll update the links as the posts are published):
Part 1: The Tier 4 Sponsor System: Sponsor Licences
Part 2: Tier 4 Sponsor Licence Ratings
Part 3: Help, my School or College is suspended from the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors!
Part 4: What happens to my College if its sponsor licence is suspended?
Part 5: My College is Suspended – Will it be blacklisted or lose its Tier 4 sponsors licence?
This post will look at how the UK Border Agency operates its Tier 4 Sponsor Register system, including how schools and colleges are assessed for licences, the differences between an A-rating and a B-rating and will look at the implications of an inspection by the UK Border Agency on checks, processes and systems for a tier 4 sponsor.
How are Applications Considered?
A key role of the UK Border Agency is to thoroughly investigate any institution that applies for a sponsor licence to ensure that only genuine entities are able to sponsor migrants coming to the UK. Any application will be extensively checked and in many cases a member of the UK Border Agency will visit the sponsor’s premises. A simple motto is currently buzzing around the industry: if the UK Border Agency wants to know more, they will know more. Any UK Border Agency inspection official is able to issue on the spot civil penalties and refer more serious matters for prosecution.
The UK Border Agency basis its decision for issuing sponsor licences under the points based system on three major principles:
- Is the institution a lawful one and fully registered in the UK?
- Is the organisation and its staff trustworthy? The UK Border Agency will make detailed history and background checks of all and everyone connected to the organisation. Obviously, if any criminal activity is uncovered during this stage, the application for a sponsors licence will fail.
- Will you be a capable sponsor? In other words, the UK Border Agency wants to know if schools and colleges have proper systems in place to monitor student attendance. This is step will be furthered when the Confirmation of Acceptance For Studies system goes live, as schools and colleges will be required to regularly update a student’s attendance on their record. If the UK Border Agency has any doubts about these processes they may refuse to give a sponsor licence or award a B-rating.
How the UK Border Agency Scores the Inspections
When a school or college is inspected for a sponsor licence, they are assessed in three key areas:
- Suitability of monitoring systems;
- Any civil penalties and/or criminal convictions;
- Any suspicious behaviour or breaking of the rules by the school or college.
For each of the above three criteria, the UK Border Agency will award a score of 1, 2 or 3:
- 1 point – meets all of the criteria.
- 2 points – meets only some of the criteria.
- 3 points – does not meet any of the criteria.
Any civil penalty or criminal conviction found in the history of any member of staff of a sponsor which has access to the Sponsor Management System will receive a score of 3.
What the UK Border Agency Scores Mean
If a school or college receives a score of 1 in each of the categories and there are is no other information to consider, an A-rated licence will be granted.
If a school or college receives a 2 in any category and there is no other information to consider, a B-rated licence will be granted.
If a score of 3 is awarded in any category the sponsor will lose its licence and be removed from the relevant Register of Sponsors.
But Wait, Sometimes a Civil Penalty is OK
Something very interesting to note is that under certain circumstances a school or college could have broken the Tier 4 rules, paid the fine and then be re-graded as either A or B. This seems quite crazy to me to have as a rule of thumb; surely this a school that breached the rules should only receive its licence back under extreme mitigating circumstances, surely? If a school or college receives a B-rating under these circumstances, the UK Border Agency visiting officer will attach an action, usually lasting 12 months, with the sponsor’s progress subject to review every three months.
hi Daniel,
wow! it’s really a very informative site. I tremendously appreciate the time and accurate information you are giving.
I also have my own personal concern. I have an immigration lawyer who processes my application. I would like to inquire about the status of Interlink college. From the recent list it indicates that it has an A-rating but then my lawyer wants to enroll me to a highly trusted sponsor which I am still waiting. He further said that even if the college has still A-rating, he doesn’t know when this can change so better yet enroll to the highly trusted sponsor. However, the challenge is, most of them are fullybooked of enrollees already that’s why he is having this delays of checking.
Secondly, i would also like to know how many days can CAS be issued? then when lodged to the UK embassy, how may days do they issue an entry clearance nowadays?
I have complied with the english profiency that they newly require and praise God my IELTS came out and it’s 7.5
thank you so much Daniel and i will share your site to all of my friends who also has interest in going to UK.
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Hi Ana
Congratulations on the great IELTS result; 7.5 is a score to be proud of.
Your lawyer’s advice is sound, if a little cautious. Remember A rated sponsors have been able to apply for a Highly Trusted Sponsor Licence since 30 April (and many have had to in order to continue offering restricted courses) – we will find out the result of their applications by 30 June. So, it is definitely feasible to enroll with a reputable college, who currently has a A rated licence. Many institutions are working very hard in order to keep their A rating so they can qualify for Highly Trusted status.
With regards to the time taken for a CAS number to be issued, that is down to your school or college. Speak with them to find out their policy, but it shouldn’t take long at all; as soon as the operator has entered your details in the system, your CAS record is generated. So, it is down to how efficient and organised your sponsor is. I wouldn’t wait longer than a week following payment if I were you.
The length of time taken for a decision on your application varies around the world. What country are you applying from?
Look forward to hearing from you soon Ana and thanks for your comments.
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dear daniel,
i am Ltc college student, which name has been removed from tier 4 list on 15th march 2010 but college informed us on 22 april 2010 i.e after one month till then we students were under impression that college is still suspended. now they are telling us every week that they are going to transfer us to other college but nothing has happened yet. This is the last week when 60 days will be over to take admission in other college, but college is still saying that they will tell us on this friday as they are trying their best to do so.
I want to know after 60 days of college been removed from the list can we still take admission to other college or we loose that right. Please suggest me. should i wait for college response or should i take admission to other college? our lectures are still going on every week. I am very confused.
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dear mr Daniel.i m currently studying in renaissance international college.i arrived in uk on 28th january2010.my college was suspended on 11 february2010.its already 2 month over tiil my college is suspended.but they r asking me for pay my due tution fees 1400 pounds.in that case what can i do??2 month over but college is suspended.it will comeback??they said it will comeback.should i pay my due tution fees??they said if i dont pay they will report to ukba.or should i change my college???
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Hi Giash
What’s the level of the course that you are currently studying?
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hi,mr daniel,i m awaiting for ur reply.my college was suspended on 12 february.its already 3 months over.i came here for certificate in travel tourism and hospitality management in renaissance international college.duration 1 year.level NQF 3.they r unable to teach me this subject.they want me to change my subject.but i dont want.i said please give back my tution fees.i wanna get admission into other college.they said they can give me a letter for change my college but they dont wanna give back my 2000 pounds tution fees.in that case what can i do???also they r forcing me for pay 1400 pounds due tution fees.otherwise they said they will suspend me from college and they will report to ukba about me.please please give me a advice.what can i do now.
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is majestic college suspended or closed?..
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Their licence is currently suspended and I don’t know if they are closed or not.
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DAniel sir,
Thanks for your such a strong commitment towards the student.
Now my college MIllenim city Academy is lifted from susension on 16 march but it is now 27 march but i still find my status as forwaded .. Do you have any information regarding getting visa and decision making or when will my status will change to transit…please help me………
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Hi Raj
Thanks for your comments and encouragement! What country are you applying from?
I imagine there is a large backlog of applications waiting to be considered, so we should still expect some delays in processing the visa.
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Sir,
I am an applicant from Nepal.Thanks for your rely and do you have any idad about when will my status will change from forwaded to transit?
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What if my college is not suspended but removed from list. can u explain it further. Thanks
Mary C
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Hi Mary
If your college has their licence withdrawn permanently, the UK Border Agency will contact you to tell you that your permission to enter the UK has been limited in the following way:
- to 60 days if you have more than 6 months left on your visa;
- not at all if you have less than 6 months left.
You will be able to change college and apply for a new visa during this time.
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do you have any updated news of millennium city academy??
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Hi Sanjay
As of 12 March 2010, their licence is still suspended.
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Hi Sanjay
Millennium City Academy Tier 4 sponsor licence suspension lifted 16 March 2010.
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Hi Daniel
first of all i want to thank you for providing all information on this site.
Now i want to know on which date Renaissance International college is removed from the register of sponsors.
This information is very necessary to me please help me if you can
once again thanks a lot.
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Hi Sushil
Thanks for your comments.
Renaissance International College’s licence to sponsor migrants under Tier 4 was suspended on 15 February 2010.
Anything else I can help you with – what is it you’re working on that the makes the date of their suspension so important?
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thanks a lot Daniel for providing me this information..
you are doing a great job……….
I want to thank you from the deepest corner of my heart.
may i know about you as a friend…………..
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Thanks for your kind words Sushil. Good luck with everything and keep me updated on your situation.
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Hi Danie, would you please let me know “UK HELP4U ACADEMY OF ENGLISH LIMITED” Its licese is also sespend. Have UKBA been inspected it or not yet? If yes, when it will be resolved?
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Hi Murtaza
Their licence to sponsor migrants under Tier 4 was only suspended on February 23 2010 so I find it very unlikely that they have already been inspected.
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hi daniel, cn you help me? this is about majestic college. would you how soon to lift their suspension? im so worried with my application still on hold. dnt know what to do? and the school is not giving any info. pls thnx
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After inspection, 32 days is set aside for correspondence, so it isn’t a quick process. Find out more on the timescales: what happens to my education provider if their licence is suspended?.
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hi daniel,
do you have any idea about millennium city academy?
when it will be in the list,any idea?
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This college are awful: they still claim to be an A rated sponsor and they also have a link to a single page of the Register, when they were once included. So misleading for potential students. I wonder if they would accept money for new enrollments or turn them away?
I’ve contacted them for an official update.
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Hi Sandeep
Millennium City Academy Tier 4 sponsor licence suspension lifted 16 March 2010.
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Hi Dainel plz tell me Bristol College Of Accountacy When will be listed to ukbas register … ithink its going six months…..
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Hi Ayaz
Still suspended so it doesn’t look good for this college.
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hi, janice again.. since majestic college just suspended march 01, how long will it take for them to lift the supension. any idea? been trying to call dir the school but no one answering. so desperate since no one is giving out the exact info. is majestic is big or small school.. very much concerned, when they will re instate to tier 4?
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Hi Janice
After inspection, 32 days is set aside for correspondence, so it isn’t a quick process. Find out more on the timescales: what happens to my education provider if their licence is suspended?.
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Hi Daniel
thanks for your valuable information.
I want to know after changing the rules by Ukba. can new students get admissions in Diploma of tourism & Hospitality management which was awarded by the ABE with 3.5 IELTS score.
Or admissions in diplomas are prohibited by the UKBA.
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Hi Sushil
The ABE programmes will still be available after 3 March 2010. In fact, ABE accredited courses are fantastic. Have you chosen a college yet? The English requirement is set to be raised to CEFR B2. This is roughly IELTS 3.5. How long is the work placement part of your course, or does your course not offer that? Is a paid work placement something you’re interested in?
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Thanks Daniel for your kind information.
I didn’t apply yet m preparing for IELTS. Is it required to face an interview to get admission in ABE diploma.
and what are the chances of getting visa.
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Hi Sushil
How is the IELTS preperation coming along? Be sure to read our IELTS tips for some help.
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HI
Dainel
Alphameridian college is suspended by ukba tier4 rules
now ukba inspected the college in 16feb how many times
to lift the suspension? your help can change our life
. when college lifted the suspension i can travel to uk in tier 4 rules .i have got visa in tier 4 rules buy ………….
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Hi Mohani
After inspection, 32 days is set aside for correspondence, so it isn’t a quick process. Find out more on the timescales: what happens to my education provider if their licence is suspended?.
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Daniel,
in how much time ukba gave decsion on the coolege london sam after there inscpection on 19th feb and in how many days i came to know that wat ios the decesion of ukba will u informe me thanx it wil be great help to me for securing a good future
thanx alot again for ur needful help
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Hi Vikas
Each case is different and so it is impossible to tell how quickly a college’s suspension will be resolved. If there are issues with attendance and the college is large, you can imagine that a detailed inspection would take a long time.
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hello Daniel,
thanx for ur reply , i am very gladfull with ur words i read all ur comments ur working very greatfully , so i waite according to u but plz tell me if my london sam suspension was not lifted by the 8thmarch and according to my visa letter i have recevied from college that my classes begins from 8th march and how long that ukba allots me visa ,and how much time college gave me extension for the course, thats the thing if suspension was lifted but if ukba did not lift the ban than college refunds my fees and than should i apply for another collges
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Hello Vikas,
I have also applied to d same collz,i enquired abt d situation from them,they sent me a mail assuring that the matter will b resolved soon,and now by the time i heard that inspection is done,so hopefully collz will b back soon,dnt worry…..u knw that mine classes were on 25 of jan….thay assured me that u will b given next batch in April…so dnt worry jus wait..and one thing if u r worried abt ur fee jus go n cancel the draft….but i suggest u that the things r almost done,u shud wait for week or so….hey also pray for me…hope i ll meet u there in londonsam……
Regards
AP RAYAT
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Hi Vikas
How late you can join your course is down to London SAM – you should speak with them about deferring entry because of their suspension. I imagine there are many students who are affected, so I can’t see why they can’t run a late starting course for everyone concerned.
Your visa application will be considered based on the date you submitted it, so you needn’t worry about your visa letter expiring.
With regards to refund, you need to check the terms & conditions of your college – you may be entitled to a refund only if your visa application is refused. Although if I were you, I would press them very hard for a refund, given the circumstances.
Good luck and keep me updated with your situation.
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Dear Daniel,
Need some help.
If a student was studying from september in a Mayfair English School then, student leaves the country to go to Russia to renew his/her passport while in the next few days his/her college got suspended but the studies are continuing as usual. Student want to come back and contin ue studies after the passport renewd, can she/he face difficulties entering UK? Considering she was studing all the way from september and just left the country to chenge the passport before UKBA suspended the college.
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Hi Loshak
You could well experience problems travelling as the UK Border Agency advise students in this situation not to travel.
You should contact Mayfair English School to explain the situation and defer the date you re-start your studies. This should be a lot easier at an English school – who’s classes start every Monday – compared to a college, which follows a strictly timetabled syllabus.
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Dear Daniel,
This is regarding New London college. The college licence has been suspended in the month of Dec 2009. I was told that this week they are going to lift the suspension. Can u help me in this matter
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No update I’m afraid, but I am chasing them. And as of today 1 March, their sponsor licence is still suspended.
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HI,
I have applied for student visa on 4th jan 2010 in Anglian college the college goes out of sponsors list please tell i need to withdraw my application or wait please reply and tell about the college.
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Hi Tajinder
I think it best to wait for the outcome of your college’s suspension before deciding what to do next. Besides, you won’t be able to get a refund from the college, so your options are quite limited.
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Thanks for your reply
Why they will not refund my money is this is fair.
and when they will refund my money if i will withdraw my case from BHC.
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Hi Tajinder
I think you will encounter problems trying to change college whilst they are suspended as they are not obligated to give you a refund of your fees. I assume you’ve paid everything already as you have all the documents you needed for your visa application.
You’d have to check the school’s terms and conditions. Most schools and colleges in the UK will only provide a refund upon receipt of original visa refusal documents.
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sir,
i have apply for london sam for mba for march session my college has been suspended from the list after i paid the full fee what should i do know ? my adviser is saying that i have to waite what should i do ?
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Hi Vikas
That’s correct, you will have to wait until your college’s suspension is resolved. London SAM apparently were inspected 19 February 2010, so hopefully there shouldn’t be too long to wait now.
Keep me posted with your situation and good luck.
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Just wanted you to know I have added you to my Google bookmarks.
I’ve check out your other blog posts too and I think you’ve got great ideas. Keep it going!
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Thanks for your comments Geralyn, look forward to hearing more from you.
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My college has been suspended from the sponsor list of tier 4 colleges.
and my file is under process. now is my application will be refused by british high commission.
and what will happen to the students who already studying in the suspended college?
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Hi Sushil
What college have you applied to study at?
Your visa application should be put on hold until your college’s suspension is resolved, so try not to worry too much.
The college’s sponsor licence suspension will not affect students already in the UK and studying at the school. Students already in the UK will only be affected if the college has their licence permanently withdrawn.
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thanks for your quick & kind response
My college is Renaissance international college, London.
I am worried because i have lodged my visa application on 2nd of September and my college is suspended from the list in Feb 2010.
i am waiting from last 5 months and now college is suspended from the list.
So will it be right if i withdraw my visa application from the UK high commission.
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Hi Sushil
You could withdraw your application, but then you would have wasted your fee.
Better to wait for the suspension to be resolved, in my opinion – your application will have been placed on hold pending the UKBA’s decision.
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i am student of london school of marketing. i applied on 3rd november but now the college is in black list . may i know when college will be listed. what shoul we do?
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Hi Dipak
London SAM hasn’t been blacklisted; their licence to sponsor migrants has been suspended pending investigation by the UK Border Agency. All visa applications will be placed on hold until the suspension is resolved.
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thank you for this valuable information I will post a link on my site so my readers can benefit from it as well.
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Thanks Gilbert
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You have made my day a little bit easier to take after reading your article.
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Thanks Boris.
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