The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced that from 6 April 2012 they will be removing the provision for applicants in the UK to apply for permission to stay here (leave to remain) before they have taken or received the results of an English language test. The revised policy applies to applicants applying under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 2 (Working Visa) of the points-based system.

Illegal immigrant criminal returns home with £1500 from the British taxpayer and sets up a business selling UK passports

In a bizarre story, according to several overseas press reports, an illegal immigrant who was caught arranging a sham marriage in Britain was able to leave jail early with £1,500 of taxpayers’ money, which he used to set up a business in Pakistan offering UK passports.

‘Pagan’ woman wins immigration appeal after denying polygamy

A pagan woman who lives with her lover and his wife, but denies it is a polygamous arrangement, has won a ‘right to family life’ immigration case

Human Rights distorted, British PM warns the Council of Europe, as many in the UK call for withdrawal from ECHR

British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that the concept of human rights was being “distorted” – and even “discredited” – by controversial decisions in Europe.

Changes to English language tests for applications under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system announced by UKBA today

The UK Border Agency has announced a number of amendments to the list of approved English language tests for applications made under Tier’s 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system and for spouse or partner applications.

Change to postal biometric appointment procedure and residence permit help

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced changes to their biometric appointment booking service removing telephone option and replacing it with an online system.

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

Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Alam (s 85A – commencement – Article Bangladesh

(1)   Where it applies, s. 85A of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 precludes certain evidence from being relied on, in order to show compliance with the Immigration Rules.

(2)   “Fairness” arguments concerning the application of the transitional provisions regarding s. 85A, in article 3 of the UK Borders Act 2007 (Commencement No. 7 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011, may have a legitimate part to play in a proportionality assessment under Article 8 of the ECHR, when assessing the strength of the State’s interest in maintaining the integrity of the Immigration Rules.

This new section was brought into effect back in May in controversial circumstances: the restriction on the submission of post-decision evidence took immediate effect even in appeals that had already been lodged and were about to be heard. Changing the rules of evidence half way through an appeal is rather unfair, one might think. One of my clients had submitted the appeal bundle before the commencement order took effect, and before we even knew about it, but because the hearing was after commencement that bundle was basically redundant. The client was also deprived of the benefits of the new flexibility to request further evidence that was introduced at the time of commencement.

The Senior Immigration Judge behind the new decision, Mr Lane, is untroubled by the legality of the commencement order but notes that the fairness issues that arose might be relevant to an Article 8 human rights assessment. He points out that the legality of the commencement order could have been challenged in the High Court but was not, at least in this case (I’m sure someone has lodged such a challenge). The tribunal does have jurisdiction to allow an appeal on the basis that a decision was not in accordance with the law, but generally prefers not to exercise its muscles in this way. To be fair, the Court of Appeal did say in EN (Serbia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 630 that this was probably right: lawfulness challenges could be entertained in the tribunal but the vires of a piece of secondary legislation ought to be challenged in the High Court, which was the more appropriate venue.

In the real world, the tribunal is a far more accessible and cost effective means of challenging a decision, but this is not enough of a reason for the tribunal to accept jurisdiction in such cases, regrettably. Source: Free Movement.

See also:

Children’s Society say immigrant Child detention is ‘excessive’

EU free movement rules put ‘patients at risk’ Lords say

Shortage occupations list for Tier 2 gets shorter

Britain opts out of EU asylum directive

Convicted drug dealer avoids deportation twice

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

The UK Border Agency has announced that ‘a number of specialist jobs that are no longer required in the UK will be removed from the government-approved shortage occupations list’.

The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the Points Based System. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas.

The government has accepted recommendations from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) that will see the number of jobs covered by the list drop by 40,000, bringing the total down from 230,000 to 190,000. Only a minority of these jobs will be filled by migrant workers.

The MAC recommended the changes where evidence from a range of industries and sectors showed resident workers are available to fill the vacancies.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said:

‘Alongside our limits on overseas workers we are also taking action to provide businesses with the skills they need from the British workforce and reduce their need for migrants.

‘We want the brightest and the best people from outside the EU with the skills we can benefit from in the UK.’

Occupations that the MAC recommended be removed from the list include:

• secondary education biology teachers;
• speech and language therapists;
• pharmacists;
• orthoptists;
• veterinary surgeons; and,
• rank and file orchestral musicians.

Occupations added to the list will be:

• actuaries;
• high integrity pipe welders;
• environmental scientists; and,
• geochemists

The government has accepted the MAC’s recommended list in full however, rank and file orchestral musicians will not be removed from the list immediately, until further discussions take place with the industry to discuss the resident labour market test.

The revised list will come into effect from 14 November 2011. This means that:

• For applications covered by the annual limit, the new list will apply to all applications by Tier 2 sponsors for restricted certificates of Sponsorship made on or after 14 November 2011.
• For applications outside the annual limit, the new list will apply to all unrestricted certificates of sponsorship assigned to migrants on or after 14 November 2011.

Employers can only bring someone into the UK under Tier 2 if the job is on the shortage occupation list or if they pass a resident labour market test (no suitable resident workers apply after advertising the job in the UK first for 4 weeks).

Employers are increasingly turning to EU workers to fill vacancies not on the official shortage or removed from the scope of Tier 2, such as Senior Care Workers for the care industry.

Despite high UK unemployment healthcare support workers or care assistants are still desperately needed by employers who cannot fill vacancies locally.

With millions of British people unemployed and the country’s economy in the doldrums, in theory the care industry should have no problems in finding care or support workers for the 20,000 plus homes. 

That’s the theory, but in practice care home employers are still desperate for staff, especially outside the main cities. 

Changes in to Immigration Rules and Immigration Cap

Recent changes in legislations, including Tier 2, Tier 4 and the cap on immigration, have closed off virtually all routes to recruiting non-EU care workers. For instance: 

• Senior Care Workers are no longer on the official shortage occupations list.
• Tier 2 changes restricts work permits to management level jobs
• Tier 4 student visa changes are squeezing many students out of the job market
• Tier 4 changes on dependant visas will abolish another source of labour

Care homes find it increasingly difficult to employ Tier 4 students when many are only allowed 10 hours work per week.

And students renewing their visas with private colleges after 4 July 2011 will no longer be allowed to work at all or sponsor their dependants.

Workers from A8 accession countries such as Poland have full ‘free movement of Labour’ rights to work in the UK, however, many care home owners say that they are not that keen on care work either and are looking for higher paid work.

As the newest members of the European Union, Bulgarians and Romanians also have ‘visa-free’ access to enter the UK, however, they do not enjoy the same rights to work as the earlier ‘A8’ Eastern European EU accession countries.

Romanian and Bulgarian citizens who exercise their Treaty Rights (under Article 39) and apply for an accession card as students taking vocational or sandwich courses (e.g. NVQ/QCF in Health and Social Care), are allowed to work full time, as stated on their Yellow Cards.

See also:

Health care workers needed in UK now

Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals

Free Movement of EU nationals explained

Colleges and Universities discount fees to attract more Tier 4 students

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

Majestic College offer special packages for EU students. They also have a number of employers looking for staff right now and are willing to employ Bulgarians and Romanians.

For more information call Joanna on 0208 207 1020 or email info@majesticcollege.org

I recently spent an enjoyable afternoon interviewing the head of Universities UK, Steve Smith, about the future of higher education. The highlights of the interview published below.

The immigration cap is deterring foreign students

As a result of the coalition’s cap on immigration, Smith told me, other countries fear that Britain is “closed for business”.

“On every single international visit I’ve been on this year it’s been the only issue that’s been discussed,” he said. “I did a big conference at the British Council in Hong Kong, I was with Clegg in Brazil. In both those meetings the question was: “Is Britain closed for business?”… Although we won, the damage inflicted by what was said was significant.”

George Osborne boasted in his Budget speech that Britain was now “open for business”. Not all of his intended audience, it seems, agreed with him.

The government will bail out universities

Under the Willetts’ model, money will follow the student, meaning that some universities dramatically expand, while others shrink. Is it conceivable, I asked Smith, that some institutions will go bankrupt? “To be candid, ministers from all parties talk about the rigours of the market, my experience is that they never live up to it in practice.” In some communities, he pointed out, the university is one of the largest, if not the largest, net contributors to the economy.

“I don’t think they’ll let institutions go bankrupt because I think they’ll work out what it would mean for the local economy.” Like the banks, the universities, it appears, are too big to fail.

The Scottish problem: “an anomaly that can’t stand”

Unlike their English counterparts, Scottish students continue to enjoy free higher education, courtesy of Alex Salmond’s SNP administration. However, while Scottish universities are legally obliged to also offer free entrance to European Union students a loophole means that they are able to charge English students fees of up to £9,000 a year. Does Smith think the UK government should intervene?

“That announcement shocked me,” he said. “They [the SNP] had made such principled statements in the past about how iniquitous fees were and then they announced that they were going to allow institutions to charge £9,000.” He added: “I suspect the government will do something … It does seem very odd to me that someone can come from France and get the same terms as someone in Scotland but if they come from England they pay £9,000. That seems to me an anomaly that can’t stand in the long-run.” Source: New Statesman.

The recent Tier 4 visa changes were slammed last week by MP’s on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee who said the measures would cost the UK economy £3.6 billion. 

The effects of falling student numbers are by no means isolated to private colleges. UK Universities are also experiencing a steep fall in foreign student numbers and with the combined effect of the UK local student fees hike some could even face closure or downsizing. 

As the number of Tier 4 international students applying to come to the UK falls leading healthcare colleges and universities are cutting fees or offering generous ‘bursaries’ or discounts. 

But be careful which college you choose, a spokesman from UK University Services (UKUS) warned. UKUS are a free student placement provider based in London.

A number of colleges are closing due to various pressures on their business. Whilst its easy to just pick a college out on the internet or through an overseas based agency, you don’t really know what the establishment is like until you have visited it.

UKUS staff personally visits every provider college or University to ensure a high quality of teaching and stability of service.

Immigration Matters receives a number emails every week from overseas students who have paid their deposits only to later find that the college have been suspended or closed down.

There will always be changes to the Immigration Rules in any country and Britain is no exception. However, the UK is not closed for business.

Britain is the second most popular destination for international students with around 300,000 coming here last year adding £40 billion to our economy.

The UK is also a trading nation and the points based immigration system will always allow people to come and go.

See also:

Colleges and Universities discount fees to attract more Tier 4 students

Small colleges could gain UK University status in student market shake up

Student visa clampdown will cost UK economy £3.6 billion, MPs claim

How to avoid the pitfalls when employing migrant workers

MPs warn that tougher student visa rules will damage Universities

Pre Tier 4 students in the UK under the Immigration Rules that were in place before 31 March 2009

New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force

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

Looking for a college or University or need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

At the end of the heated hour-long debate, during which Prof Grayling was verbally abused by students protesting against his plans, protesters set off the device.

Prof Grayling and the three other speakers were quickly ushered from the room, and into the back of the shop, as it filled with pungent red smoke just before 8pm.

Organisers were forced to evacuate about 100 people amid fears for the safety of the crowd just moments after the philosopher said he would talk to the protesters.

Prof Grayling had told the crowd he was willing to continue discussing his proposals, but that plan was abandoned by organisers after the smoke bomb attack.

It remains unclear who the protestors were, but many appeared to be students, angry about the decision to charge more than double the maximum tuition fees for courses.

Despite knowing about planned protests, organisers insisted on continuing the debate because they wanted a “free exchange of ideas”.

Prof Grayling, who will become the president of the New College of the Humanities (NCH) which will charge students fees of £18,000 each year, was heckled as he tried to talk about cuts to the arts.

The debate was his first public appearance since details of the institution were disclosed at the weekend.

The other speakers were Mick Gordon, an Irish theatre director, and Christopher Frayling, the former Arts Council chairman while the chair Al Senter, an arts journalist, struggled to control the crowd.

On several occasions, Prof Grayling was shouted down during the debate as he sought to defend the new institution.

As soon as joined in the discussion, someone from the crowd shouted: “You have no right to speak”.

Prof Grayling, who will be the college’s first Master, appeared taken aback by the protests although he insisted he “didn’t expect to change minds”.

Protesters started shouting at Prof Grayling: “AC Grayling get out, job cuts, money for the bosses.”

The debate was his first public appearance since details of the institution were disclosed at the weekend. Many protesters appeared to be students angry about the decision to charge more than double the maximum tuition fees for course.

As soon as the philosopher joined in the discussion, someone from the crowd shouted: “You have no right to speak”.

One protester said: “You should be defending public education, not deserting it.” Another shouted: “He may be a public intellect, but he is blinkered.”

Prof Grayling, who will be the college’s first Master, appeared to be taken aback by the protests.

He said: “We are in danger of losing sight of the importance to society of a higher education in the humanities.”

He later told reporters: “It is always upsetting of being the targets of attacks.

“Of course I am disasapointed to that we did not have an opportunity to debate the topic of the evening which was about cuts to the arts.

“And I would have been really happy to talk to the students afterwards as I offered to stay on afterwards. And talk to them and then the smoke bomb was set off and that ended the conversation.”

He added: “I didn’t expect to change minds there because I understand the real anxiety that people feel in higher education.

“I share with them the belief that we should as a society, we should invest in education at every level and invest properly.”

Sion Hamilton, the store’s manager, said: “We were aware of the proposed protest today, but chose not cancel the event because Foyles bookshop is a space for the free exchange of ideas and intelligent debate.

“Professor Grayling offered to answer students’ questions for 20 minutes after the scheduled event, we regret that one individual decided to curtail this opportunity for further discussion by letting off a smoke bomb at the end. We evacuated the room swiftly and safetly.”

The institution in London has received funds of up to £10 million from City financiers and its 14 professors. It is inviting applications from students for 2012.

Fees are twice as high as the maximum that can be charged by state-funded institutions. Its backers, several of whom are shareholders, insist this would allow them to offer the “highest quality” education. Source: The Telegraph

Predictably, the plans to open up the UK higher education market to high quality private competition have been criticised by academics as being ‘elitist’.

See also:

Top British academics launch £18,000pa private college in London

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

New Tier 4 Student Visa rules implemented 21 April 2011, but will students applying to private colleges be allowed to work?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need 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

Looking for a College or University?

Thousands of students are worried about the forthcoming Tier 4 visa changes next month on working rules for students at private colleges. Many are switching now to secure their ‘20 hours work’ per week rights.

Need student advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

New College of the Humanities will give a high-quality education to “gifted” undergraduates and a degree from the University of London, creators say.

The privately-owned London-based college will open in September 2012 and is planning to charge fees of £18,000.

The 14 professors involved include biologist Richard Dawkins and historian Sir David Cannadine.

Professor Dawkins is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, as well as being the author of The God Delusion, and Sir David is a professor at Princeton University in the United States.

Based in Bloomsbury, central London, the new college will offer eight undergraduate humanities degrees taught by some of the world’s most prominent intellectuals, officials said.

Degrees cover five subject areas – law, economics, history, English literature and philosophy.

Students will also take three “intellectual skills” modules in science literacy, logic and critical thinking and applied ethics – which will result in them being awarded a Diploma of New College in addition to a University of London degree, making a combined award of BA Hons (London) DNC.

‘New model’

Professor AC Grayling, the philosopher who will be the college’s first Master, secured millions of pounds of funding from investors to set up the institution.

He said: “Our priorities at the college will be excellent teaching quality, excellent ratios of teachers to students, and a strongly supportive and responsive learning environment.

“Our students will be challenged to develop as skilled, informed and reflective thinkers, and will receive an education to match that aspiration.”

Prof Grayling is a professor of philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford.

The college claims to offer a “new model of higher education for the humanities in the UK”.

Students can apply immediately and assisted places will be offered to 20% of the first year’s intake.

Applicants need to meet the University of London minimum entrance requirements and be fully competent in English.

The college said its selection process will not be computerised, with each application considered “individually, personally and on its merits”.

It also has scholarships and “exhibition schemes” to “ensure that finance should not be a barrier to any talented UK student”.

The government has set fees in England’s public universities at a maximum of £9,000 from September next year. Source: BBC

The market for high quality private education, to rival government funded colleges and universities, is opening up.

With fees for local students going through the roof, some will choose lower cost private colleges to obtain their degrees and many may go to other EU countries where fees are lower.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Professor Grayling said the University College would offer far more than a normal humanities Degree and said that the higher fees reflected the ‘true cost’ of quality higher education.

Baroness Blackstone accused the college of only catering for the elite British and wealthy foreign students.

See also:

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

New Tier 4 Student Visa rules implemented 21 April 2011, but will students applying to private colleges be allowed to work?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need 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

Looking for a College or University?

Thousands of students are worried about the forthcoming Tier 4 visa changes next month on working rules for students at private colleges. Many are switching now to secure their ‘20 hours work’ per week rights.

Need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

It comes after police arrested and later bailed four people over the treatment of patients with learning difficulties at Winterbourne View.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said he was determined to strengthen safeguards for vulnerable adults.

The care watchdog said there was an “unforgivable error of judgement” in not investigating earlier abuse claims.

During five weeks spent filming undercover, BBC Panorama’s reporter captured footage of some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients being repeatedly pinned down, slapped, dragged into showers while fully clothed, taunted and teased.

NHS South West said it had been “appalled” by the issues raised.

The hospital’s owners, Castlebeck, have apologised and suspended 13 employees.

Avon and Somerset police confirmed three men – aged 42, 30 and 25 – and a 24-year-old woman were arrested as part of their investigation into the hospital.

Mr Burstow said: “The abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View uncovered by Panorama is shocking. There can be no place for such inhumanity in care services.

“There have been failures of inspection and adult protection which have exposed people to appalling abuse.

“I am determined to strengthen the system of safeguarding to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.”

Mr Burstow said he had already ordered a thorough examination of the roles of both government regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and the local authorities.

CQC chairman Dame Jo Williams admitted the failure to follow up the reports of a whistleblower – a senior nurse at the home – had been an “unforgivable error of judgement”.

She said the CQC was conducting a “root-and-branch review” to find out why that had happened.

Dame Jo, who said she had no plans to resign, told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “I am absolutely determined that we must do better.”

She said the whistleblower had apparently contacted the CQC two or three times: “Once should have been enough. We have to listen to the people who are brave enough to raise their concerns.”

She said each CQC inspector had a caseload of about 50 homes but she said it was too early to say if their heavy workload was to blame.

NHS South West said it was “appalled” by the issues raised surrounding the care home.

In a statement, it said: “We always expect safe, high-quality care from providers of services and the abuse of vulnerable patients is totally unacceptable.”

Warnings ignored

The programme decided to film secretly after being approached by former senior nurse Terry Bryan, who was deeply concerned about the behaviour of some of the support workers at the home.

“I have seen a lot over 35 years but this I have never seen anything like this. It is the worst I have seen,” he told the programme.

Mr Bryan reported his concerns to both management at Winterbourne View and to the CQC, but his complaint was not taken up.

The CQC said it was alerted to the allegations on 12 May 2011 by Panorama reporter Paul Kenyon and carried out unannounced inspections on 17, 18 and 24 May.

There is currently a team from the local mental health primary care trust at Winterbourne View and the CQC is making regular informal visits.

The CQC had also written to Mr Burstow proposing the launch of a programme of risk-based and random unannounced inspections of a sample of the 150 hospitals providing care for people with learning disabilities, a move which the minister backed.

Patients moved

Castlebeck has launched an internal investigation into their whistle-blower procedures and are reviewing the records of all 580 patients in 56 facilities.

Winterbourne View can accommodate 24 patients and is taxpayer-funded, charging the state an average of £3,500 per patient per week.

NHS South West said: “Following initial checks, and a subsequent inspection by the CQC it has been agreed that patients should move to alternative facilities at the earliest opportunity.”

It said: “Primary care trusts in the South West which commissioned placements at the unit have carried out an urgent review of the processes used to commission and review privately provided services. The outcome will be fed into the wider multi-agency safeguarding review.”

The Independent Safeguarding Authority, which maintains a list of people barred from working with vulnerable people, also expressed its shock at the footage.

ISA chairman Sir Roger Singleton said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind employers that in cases of this nature, they are under a legal duty to refer the person to the ISA, so that we can consider whether they should be barred from working or volunteering with vulnerable adults and/or children.”

Panorama’s Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed was broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday 31 May at 2100 BST and is available to view in the UK on the BBC iPlayer. Source: BBC

Another care home group in the news this week is loss making Southern Cross, the UK’s biggest care home provider, which is seeking to reduce rents paid to its landlords.

The government has pledged to ensure “effective protection” for the 30,000 plus residents.

The group employs thousands of overseas workers including Senior Carers and Nurses on work permits and Tier 4 student visas.

Following the introduction of the cap on immigration, which effectively started last year, care industry employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit trained staff. Social Care Workers no longer qualify under Tier 2 of the points based system, as the bar has been raised to NVQ/QCF level 4 management positions.

The clampdown on working hours for students is also having an effect on care home staffing levels and new Tier 4 student visa rules to be implemented in July will not help the industry.

Overseas workers worried about their future visa status should seek professional advice.

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.  

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website. 

See also:

New Tier 4 Student Visa rules implemented 21 April 2011, but will students applying to private colleges be allowed to work?

Yes, “Established Presence” and Court Actions affect your Student Visa Extension

Tier 4 student visa changes: Game Set and Match to Universities?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

Ageing Western populations and falling birth rates – a demographic time bomb

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need 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

Their new providers seemed quite happy to enrol them without bothering to take up a reference from the previous college or offering any advice to the student. This can have serious repercussions for the student later on down the road when it comes to renewing their visas without an ‘established presence’ in the UK.

Net UK immigration soars

Immigration flows have hit their highest level for six years with numbers increasing from Eastern Europe, The Telegraph reports.

Lewisham ‘fake ID factory’ couple sentenced

A couple from south east London have admitted running a factory that made fake passports and identity documents, the UK Border Agency reports.

How you can come to study on a short course in the UK as a student visitor

The student visitor visa should not be confused with the points based Tier 4 student visa. You should apply for a student visitor visa if you want to come to the UK to do a short course of study, not longer than six months, during your visit.

French minister says foreign bricklayers and waiters are not needed

France’s Interior Minister has launched an attack on the number of immigrant ‘waiters and bricklayers’ flooding into his country – saying they are not needed, the Daily Mail reports.

Judges block UK Government’s attempt to deport terrorists

Should the Home Secretary have the power to exclude from entering the United Kingdom those people she has reasonable grounds for thinking pose a threat to the safety and security of the rest of us?

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need 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

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker has dealt with number of students whose Tier 4 and pre-Tier 4 visas were suddenly curtailed by the border agency within weeks of their former college reporting their premature departure. She said:

“We have seen student’s visas cancelled shortly after they stop attending the college which granted them permission.”

Some of these students had left their college without completing their course and without applying for new permission. In many cases they also owed substantial sums in unpaid fees.

Their new providers seemed quite happy to enrol them without bothering to take up a reference from the previous college or offering any advice to the student. This can have serious repercussions for the student later on down the road when it comes to renewing their visas without an ‘established presence’ in the UK.

Cynthia continued:    

“If you have changed college, do you have the new permission from UKBA?   Also, has your new college checked your reference and attendance record from the previous college?  These factors can affect your leave to remain.”

Cynthia added that “students should check their visa and student status as holding a visa does not guarantee your stay in the UK”.

See also:

Yes, “Established Presence” and Court Actions affect your Student Visa Extension

Tier 4 student visa changes: Game Set and Match to Universities?

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need 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

Examples of short courses include English Language, TEFL or ESOL courses, which can run for periods starting at six weeks.

The basic rules published by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) state that you should be aged 18 or over (under 18’ can apply as a child visitor), and you must have been accepted on a course of study provided by:

• an education provider that holds a sponsor licence under Tier 4 of the points-based system; or
• an education provider that is accredited by an accreditation body approved by the UK Border Agency; or
• an education provider that is inspected or audited by either the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland, Estyn in Wales, Northern Ireland’s Education and Training Inspectorate or the Independent Schools Inspectorate; or
• an overseas higher education institution that offers only part of its programmes in the UK, holds its own national accreditation, and offers programmes that are of an equivalent level to a UK degree.
• During your visit, you must:
• support and pay for accommodation for yourself and any dependants, without help from public funds; or
• ensure that you and your dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends, and will not take employment.

You must leave the UK at the end of the visit and should be able to meet the cost of your return or onward journey.

Unlike students on Tier 4 student visa, you must not:

• take employment in the UK (including part-time or full-time vacation employment);
• engage in business, produce goods or provide services within the UK (including selling goods or services direct to members of the public);
• study at a government-funded school;
• undertake a work placement or internship (paid or unpaid) as part of your course of study;
• extend your stay in the UK;
• carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor;
• receive private medical treatment; or
• be in transit to a country outside the common travel area (the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).

If you are aged 18 or over and you want to come and study in the UK for more than six months, you must apply under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system.

Applying for a student visitor visa

Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for permission to come to the UK as a student visitor (known as a ‘visa’ or ‘entry clearance’) before you travel. To find out whether you need a visa check the ‘Do I need a UK visa?‘ questionnaire on the UKBA’s Visa services section. 

Visa National’s, those people who need a visa to enter the UK should visit the ‘How to apply’ section of the UKBA’s Visa services section, which will tell you which visa application form you need to use, as well as listing the documents that you should provide when you apply.

Non-visa National’s do not normally need a visa to come to the UK as a student visitor, but may want to consider applying for entry clearance if you have previously been refused entry to the UK.

UK University Services (UKUS) are offering English Summer courses such as the 4 week Teaching English as a Foreign Language Course – TEFL starting soon. There are also 12 week courses and ESOL programmes.

For more information see http://www.uk-universityservices.co.uk/courses-A-Z