New rules for Extended Student Visitor Visa for migrants studying English language courses
The UK Border Agency has announced that from 10 January 2011, English language students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses will have to apply for a student visitor visa allowing them to stay for up to 11 months.
The new ‘extended student visitor visa’ will only be available to those applying for student visas from outside the UK.
Students wishing to study any other courses in the UK for longer than 6 months will still need to apply under Tier 4 of the points-based system.
For ‘non-visa-nationals’, who do not normally need a visa to enter the UK, must apply for the extended visa to study for up to 6 months if they want to take a longer English language course.
The government say the extended student visitor visa’s other requirements, entitlements and restrictions are the same as those for the current student visitor route.
The student visitor route does not allow students to work, take a work placement, bring dependants, extend their stay or switch into other courses at the end of their stay. For full information see the Visa services section on the student visitor route.
The fee for an extended student visitor visa will be the same as for a student visitor visa.
This change does not affect the ongoing consultation, announced last week, on the main student route to the UK (Tier 4 of the points-based system), which has set out proposals to ‘tackle abuse and make the system more selective and robust’.
See also:
British MPs voice ‘profound concern’ over Home Office plans to bar foreign students
UKBA announce new list of approved English language test providers
Government lays down plans to reform UK student visa system and launch public consultation
Consultation on Tier 4 Student Visas announced by Home Office
Vince Cable says immigration cap is damaging British industry
UK Immigration Cap could damage higher education
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Reader Comments
This is good news… There are so many opportunities to international students. I wish that I had the opportunity to study abroad too. I think this is a very good experience for college students to attend. It gives them a chance to see how the other world lives. This way we can find the opportunity to humble ourselves.