Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Immigration News - February 2014




Education


Statistical First Release published by HESA

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has published its Statistical First Release (SFR).

This report concerns higher education student enrolments and qualifications obtained at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK for the 2012/13 academic year.

In 2012/13, 82% of all enrolments at UK HEIs were from UK domiciled students, 5% were from the EU and the remaining 13% came from non-EEA countries.

The overall number of student enrolments from outside the EU decreased by 1% from 2011/12 (from 302,680 to 299,970) although there was an increase of 3% noted among undergraduate enrolments since 2012/13.

The number of other EU domiciled students decreased by 5% (from 132,550 to 125,290).

Institutions in Wales had the largest proportion of non-EU domiciled students at 15% whilst institutions in Scotland had the greatest proportion of other EU domiciled students at 9%.

Among non-EU countries the largest number coming to the UK were domiciled from China - with a 6% increase from 2011/12. India was second largest in the list of non-EU countries, although there has notably been a 25% reduction in the number of students coming from India since 2011/12.


Review of qualifications taken by Tier 4 students

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has undertaken a review of qualifications taken by Tier 4 students.

They found that two-thirds of the qualifications looked at were not up to the required standard.

Ofqual recently withdrew recognition to award qualifications from the London Centre for Marketing (LCM).

It has also now published a notice of intention to withdraw recognition from the awarding organisation Accrediting & Assessment Bureau for Post-Secondary Schools Limited (AABPS).

The full report can be downloaded here.


Working in the UK


Bulgarian and Romanian nationals

Bulgarian and Romanian nationals are now free to live and work in the UK as restrictions in place since 2007 have expired.

It is estimated that up to 50,000 Bulgarian and Romanian nationals could come to the UK each year.

The Immigration Minister, Mark Harper, said that curbs on access to benefits should ensure those coming to the UK would contribute to the economy.

Further information about the lifting of these controls can be viewed here.



General Immigration Matters


Consultation on fees and charging for immigration and visa services

The Home Office (UKBA) has published its response to the recent consultation on fees and charging for immigration and visa services.

A key concern was that the changes to fees and immigration rules would have a detrimental impact on the Government's aim to attract the "brightest and best".

Respondents were keen to see a simplified fee structure and were in agreement that expanding premium services would provide more choice and convenience for customers.


New service standards for applications made in UK

The Home Office (UKBA) has announced that UKVI service standards have been changed with effect from 1 January 2014 for applications made within the UK.

Changes have been made following feedback received from customers and partners.

Applications received before 1 January 2014 will remain subject to the standards in force at the time they were submitted.

The revised processing times for applications made within the UK Can be viewed here.
As of 1 April 2014, the Home Office's (UKBA) new contracts with commercial partners who run more than 300 visa application centres overseas will come into effect.

From February, the Home Office (UKBA) will be making a number of changes to the visa services they offer to overseas customers.

The Home Office (UKBA) is increasing the number of places applicants can apply for a visa worldwide. However, in some locations opening hours will be reduced, whilst customers at lower volume visa application centres may be charged for their services.



Veristat Services



HTS Health-Check


The Veristat Health Check is a one-day objective, external review covering key areas likely to arise during a Home Office visit together with examples of good practice drawn from over 4 years' experience of conducting compliance audits for schools, colleges and universities.

For further information please contact don@veristat.co.uk


Training for employers


We are increasingly being asked to provide training on Right to Work and/or Tier 2 sponsor duties.  If you think your organisation would benefit from training in either or both of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion of your requirements at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.



LinkedIn 'HR Immigration' Group


We have recently set up a 'HR Immigration' group on LinkedIn, which aims to provide a networking space for UK employers and HR/recruitment professionals to share and discuss news and best practice about current UK immigration issues.

To join this group please go to http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=6537658

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