UK Immigration News (Source: Home Office UK Border Agency)

06 April 2013

New versions of the application forms for use.

The increase of fee for visa applications made from overseas and applications made in the UK.

14 March 2013 (These Rules will come into effect on 6 April 2013)

The Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route, to include additional places for talented MBA graduates from UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Tier 4, to allow completing PhD students to stay in the UK for one year beyond the end of their course to find skilled work or to set up as an entrepreneur.

04 March 2013

Tier 4 students - A single visa cannot be issued to cover both a pre-sessional course and a main course, where entry onto the main course is conditional on passing the pre-sessional course.

Changes to the Immigration Rules - 22 November 2012

The following changes to the Immigration Rules which will come in to force on 13 December 2012.

Tier 1 - entrepreneurs and investors, Tier 2 - skilled workers, including changes for senior intra-company transfers,Tier 4 - students, including extending the interim limit, Tier 5 - temporary workers including the requirements for the government authorised exchange category and private servants in a diplomatic household.

New interviews for students - 09 July 2012

If you are a  student visa applicant, you may be interviewed and asked a number of questions about your education history, study and post-study plans, and financial circumstances, when you apply to study in UK.

New versions of application - 06 April 2012

The new forms of applications were published on 5 April for Tier 4 (General) - Students, along with some policy guidance documents to explain the changes to help you use the new forms.

New student rules - 13 February 2012

New rules will come into force to cut abuse of the student visa route and ensure that only the brightest and the best students can stay and work in the UK.

English Language requirement - 21 April 2011

B2 is the appropriate level for those coming to study at level 6 and above. B1 is the appropriate level for lower courses. UK Border Agency Officers will be able to refuse a migrant who cannot speak without an interpreter.

Visa Applications

It is important that you submit your visa application in good time. To enable you to do this you can apply for your visa within 3 months of the start date of your intended course. For courses longer than 6 months your visa will be valid for travel from 1 month prior to the start date of the course.

False documents

You must provide the correct documents with your application form. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document.