Immigration News and Updates: February 2011

Student Consultation

The month has been dominated by the UKBA consultation on the student immigration system which closed on 31 January. Most if not all of the major representative bodies held events to canvas opinion on the proposals and unofficial estimates are that the responses received by the UKBA are in the tens of thousands. It is understood that the UKBA has also been holding workshops to take the views of its own staff.
Ministers have been active in responding to organisations lobbying against a level of restriction which it is believed would damage the industry. Universities UK for example argued that many international students are recruited from non-degree courses and account for 9% of the income of the sector. Immigration Minister Damian Green said that even if international students were vital to the UK, “we must be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12296161

On the 27th of January 2011, Immigration Minister Damian Green answered questions regarding changes in UK immigration rules and the consultation on international students. Damian Green’s main argument was that proposed changes were aimed at “driving the abuse out of the system” and raising the reputation of British education institutions. The Minister went on to say that the cuts will have no effect on genuine universities and genuine students, but on bogus colleges which advertise courses which “barely exist”.
The programme can be found until the 3rd of February at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xslvg

Even the UKBA itself has been promoting the Government’s proposals by linking the case of a Bangladeshi student refused entry at Birmingham Airport to the consultation process. Oddly, this case revolved around the student using falsified documents being accepted by the visa officer. The college had no record of the student and there was no suggestion that it was at fault. There did not therefore appear to be any obvious link to the issues under consultation. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/jan/69bogus-student-sham
UKBA’s revised policy on students following the consultation is expected to be published in March.

Coalition Government’s Immigration and asylum policy

The House of Commons Library has produced a very useful paper summarising recent Government statements about its intentions for immigration and asylum policy, and specific changes which it has already introduced. Some of the key proposals referred to in the paper are:
• A new visa category “for people of exceptional talent” under Tier 1.
• No cap on the number of investor and entrepreneur visas available.
• 20,700 jobs to be available under Tier 2. Tier 2 restricted to ‘graduate-level’ jobs. Inter-company transfers excluded from the annual limits, but will be subject to salary thresholds.
• Tougher criteria for entry as a student to reduce the overall number of student visas and attract genuine students. Suggestions include restricting the courses available to international students; limits on their capability to bring dependants to the UK; and tighter accreditation requirements for education providers.
• Restrictions on the movement between temporary and permanent categories of migration.
• New pilot schemes to improve the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the asylum determination process. Illegal immigration
• The continuation of the e-Borders project and the reintroduction of exit checks.
• Establishing a Border Police Force aimed at improving coordination of border control and security matters.
• Reviewing English language requirements will be reviewed.
http://www.ein.org.uk/resources/full.shtml?x=283835


EU students in the UK’s higher education sector

EU students have always been attracted by UK higher education institutions. In 2008/2009 there were 138,000 EU students studying at UK universities. They enhance internationalisation and represent a cohort of good quality students. Moreover, they represent a major part of postgraduate students in areas less frequented by UK students. The top 5 EU sending countries are Germany, France, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus. These are followed by Poland, Spain and Italy. UK universities are apprehensive about the number of enrolments which is likely to decline as a result of higher tuition fees.
http://www.international.ac.uk/resources/International%20Focus%2066.26.1.11.pdf



Increase in the numbers of foreign students

The University and Colleges Admissions Service showed a rise in the number of overseas students admitted into UK universities. The three main countries which showed a significant increase are Lithuania, Latvia and Romania, followed by China, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
http://www.international.ac.uk/resources/International%20Focus%2066.26.1.11.pdf


Revised EEA Application forms

The UK Border Agency has revised the following application forms, EEA1, EEA2 , EEA3, EEA4 and FMRS. These forms should be used by the non-EEA family members of EEA nationals who want to apply for permanent residence in the UK. The revised forms (version 01/2011) should be used for all applications made on or after 31 January 2011.

Egypt

Due to the current security situation in Egypt the UK visa application centres in Cairo and Alexandria have been temporarily closed. Some visa applications submitted in Sudan and Yemen are processed in Cairo and these services have also been affected. For further information check the UKBA website http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/jan/86visa-services-cairo

Veristat Services

Accompanied Visits

In response to requests from clients, we can provide a member of our staff to accompany you on your recruitment visit abroad. The service includes assistance with planning of the trip; presentations on both your college and Tier 4; on site interviews of students; and working alongside your own people in the recruitment of prospective students. We have recently completed a successful tour to Pakistan with a college which resulted in the recruitment of 150 students.

Student Recruitment Fairs

Many countries have good quality students who want to come to the UK to study but who don’t know the range of colleges and courses available to them or who are directed towards specific colleges by agents. College fairs offer an excellent opportunity to present your college and the courses you offer to thousands of prospective students but can prove expensive in both time and costs. Veristat offers a service to bring the students in these countries and UK colleges together in a cost effective way by representing you at recruitment fairs and student events. This can either be sole representation or by sharing a stand with other colleges to reduce costs. See our website or contact us for further information at enquiries@veristat.co.uk

Support for Tier 4 Sponsors

For support in complying with UKBA requirements, including applications for Highly Trusted Sponsor status, see our website www.veristat.co.uk and contact us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk
Veristat provides a wide range of services to education providers through compliance audits, advice packages, assessment of intent and recruitment. Please contact us for a no commitment discussion if you think you would benefit from any of these services enquiries@veristat.co.uk