UK Immigration News (Source: UKVI)

13 July 2015

The main changes will; stop new students at publicly funded colleges from working (from August), ban college students from being able to switch visas to Tiers 2 or 5 in the UK, and require them to apply from outside the UK (from November), reduce the time limit for study at further education level from 3 years to 2 years (from November).

09 January 2015 - Time limit (cap) on study

There is a maximum time limit on studying with a Tier 4 visa.  a Tier 4 sponsor will need to check that your application will not take you over the maximum time allowed, before it can issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

01 July 2014 - Amended Tier 4 policy guidance

Higher maintenance sums are required for Tier 4 applications from 01st July 2014. Also, the changed Tier 4 policy guidance lists, Secure English Language Tests that were going to be removed from the list, in addition to TOEIC and TOEFL.

13 March 2014 - Businesses will benefit from help to recruit internationally

Businesses are looking to recruit top international talent and take advantage of changes which will support the UK.

18 October 2013- English language tests for applications under Tiers 4 of the points-based system

Amendments have been made to the list of approved English language tests for applications for spouse or partner applications.

07 August 2013 - Home Office Credibility Interviews for Tier 4 visa

These interviews are used for Overseas applicants as part of the assessment of the visa application and will be conducted in English, without the assistance of an interpreter.

The Home Office will record the first interview and send a summary to the Entry Clearance Officer who will decide if a second more detailed interview at the Embassy if needed.

24 June 2013

If you apply for a Tier 4 student visa you may have to sit a short interview. There are two types of credibility interview. The first type, when you attend the visa application centre to submit your application and biometric information.

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.

Visa Applications

It is important that you submit your visa application in good time.

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.