Tier 4
UK Border Agency criticised for student visa rule changes
A report published by the Public Accounts Committee criticised the UK Border Agency for its poor planning regarding rule changes to student visas.
The report also stated that an additional 50,000 people came to Britain to work rather than to study.
The committee also questioned the removal of controls, such as spot-check interviews of students entering the country and they were also critical of the slow implementation of an electronic system showing students had been sponsored by a licensed sponsor.
You can read the full report here.
Exclusion of overseas students from Migration count
In their report on Overseas Students and Net Migration, the Business Innovation and Skills Committee has criticised the government policy on overseas students.
The report urges the government to record overseas students under a different classification so that it doesn't count against the overall limit on net migration. They argued that by doing this it will allow the UK to continue to expand its share of the overseas student market.
The full report can be read here.
Change to UK migration figures planned re: Overseas Students
The government has announced it is looking to develop a new method of measuring student migration in and out of the UK.
The Office of National Statistics is currently working on developing better ways of counting overseas students with regards to calculating migration figures.
At present, the government can only estimate the number of overseas students leaving the UK, so in order for them to accurately measure student migration a better system needs to be found.
Outcome of London Metropolitan University's Legal Challenge
The London Metropolitan University's Tier 4 sponsor licence remained revoked following an initial challenge heard on 21 September 2012.
However, the UK Border Agency agreed to allow existing genuine students to continue to study at the university until their course ends or until the end of the academic year, whichever is sooner, as long as they meet the required standards.
Additional checks will be made by UKBA on affected students at the university to identify those students are here legally.
Radio 4 - The Report - Visa trouble at London Met
Wesley Stephenson (Radio 4, The Report) investigates why the UK Border Agency revoked London Metropolitan University's license to sponsor overseas students with contributions from Veristat's Director, Don Ingham.
New Tier 4 Form
The UKBA has introduced a new Tier 4 application form (General and Child) for applications from 1st October 2012. Education providers should advise students seeking an extension of stay who may be using photocopies of the old version.
Tier 1 and 2
New 'Exceptional talent' guidance issued by UKBA
The UK Border Agency has published revised Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) guidance.
This guidance should be used when making an application under the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) category.
The revised guidance can be downloaded here and a table of changes made to this guidance can be downloaded at the following link:
Report by Policy Exchange calls for relaxed visa requirements for skilled migrants
The independent Think Tank, Policy Exchange, has called for relaxed visa requirements for skilled migrants to promote the potential of the UK in the high tech and digital economy.
In the short term, they recommend relaxing the visa requirements for skilled migrants, including reinstating a two-year post study for graduates achieving good degrees in STEM subjects, to make it easier for start-ups to find and employ talented staff from UK universities.
The full report can be downloaded at the following link:
General Immigration Matters
Government's secrecy over 'high-risk' immigration backlist
The government is attempting to keep secret a backlist of 44 countries with a poor immigration record whose nationals are targeted for tougher action when applying to come to the UK.
John Vine, the Independent Inspector of the UK Border Agency, drew up this list in February 2011, following his review of entry clearance processes in Abu Dhabi and Islamabad.
A two-day hearing has commenced against a ruling by the information commissioner for a partial disclosure of this list.
The Foreign Office is concerned that some of these countries will be highly offended if this list becomes public and may retaliate which would damage Britain's diplomatic relations.
UKBA award contract to Capita plc to track illegal immigrants
The UK Border Agency has announced that Capita plc, the support services supplier, has been awarded a contract for four years to locate more than 170,000 missing migrants.
Capita will receive a payment for the number of illegal immigrants they make contact with as well as the number of people who leave the UK.
UKBA's warning about unscrupulous agents
The UK Border Agency has issued a warning against unscrupulous agents working in the visa industry in Thailand and Vietnam.
They warn that these agents are unable to make any guarantees on the success of a UK visa application.
HTS applications and Immigration support
For support in complying with UKBA requirements, including applications for Highly Trusted Sponsor status, see our website http://www.veristat.co.uk and contact us at don@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 at enquiries@veristat.co.uk for a no commitment discussion if you think you would benefit from any of these services.
Document checking with "Validate"
Veristat is pleased to announce a partnership with TSSI for the supply and application of its 'Validate system' for the scanning, storing and verification of passports and other identity documents. The system checks the security features of a passport or other ID document and compares against a database of over 2800 document types offering a simple tick or cross (pass or fail) before storing a scanned copy onto a database which can be interfaced with your existing student record system, offering an easy and cost effective way of ensuring Tier 4 compliance. It comes with full support from TSSI and Veristat Immigration consultancy (ex UKBA staff).
For further information please contact don@veristat.co.uk.
Entrepreneur Visits
We are working with InvestUK (http://www.investuk.com) to provide immigration and investment support to applicants seeking leave to enter or remain as an entrepreneur under Tier 1 of the PBS. For further information please contact enquiries@veristat.co.uk or enquiries@investuk.com.
