April 7 2009 - New student visa Tier 4 Sponsorship system launches today in UK - Points-based system aims to simplify application process
Source - Ambler Collins
From 31 March 2009, international students looking to study in the UK will be able to apply for their visa through Tier 4 of the new Points Based System.
Under this new transparent system, international students will need to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by an education institution which is a UK Border Agency (UKBA) licensed Tier 4 sponsor, prove that they have sufficient maintenance funds to support themselves, and supply their biometric details at their local visa application centre.
The new Tier 4 regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during term time, full time work during the holidays and undertake any course related work placements.
Mathew Collins, Managing Partner of AmblerCollins Visas and Director of Fulham and Chelsea College said: “ The UK is competing for international students against many other countries. Under the new Tier 4 Student Sponsorship system, prospective students can see whether they are eligible for a visa before they even apply – making the system much clearer and easier to understand. The aim is to make the application process more transparent and straightforward.”
For the first time, all independent fee-paying schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students to study with them now need a licence issued by the UK BA before they can sponsor a prospective student. This will help the UK Government crack down on bogus colleges, something which will be welcome news to many international students, who can now be sure the language school, college or university they intend to study at is an approved educational institution. Over a thousand UK institutions have been issued licenses to sponsor international students.
Mr Collins stated that "their exists a good degree of understanding of the new Tier 4 Student sponsorship system which follows the earlier introduction of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the new Points Based system."
Applications for a General Student visa or a Child Student visa under Tier 4 is a simple process and should be done in the country of which you are a national or a legal resident. For your application to be successful you will need:
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A current passport or travel document
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A visa letter from the institution you are planning to study at
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Proof of maintenance funds
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Evidence of any qualifications the sponsoring institution took account of when deciding to accept you for the course you plan to study
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Any other supporting documents relevant to your application
The UK Border Agency will refuse your applications and may ban you from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information whilst making an application.
If you have further enquires on immigration to the UK, NZ, Australia or the USA,
please contact Ambler Collins and we will undertake a complimentary assessment of your eligibility. Email us at;
info@amblercollins.com
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