Tier 4 (Student) Rules to be Tightened March 2010

Tier 4 (Student) Rules March 2010

Tough changes relating to Tier 4 (Student) Rules relating to the Points Based System are to be introduced on the 3rd March 2010 the Home Secretary has announced. Under the new rules the number of hours an overseas student will be allowed to work in term time will be cut from 20 hours per week to just 10 hours per week. The announcement follows a three month review of the system following allegations of misuse.

The new measures for students include:

• A good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will be needed to come to the UK and study to improve English language competency further
• A good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level
• Restricting the lowest-level courses (A levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions
• Halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time
• A ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months
• A ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working – they will face removal from the UK if found doing so
• A ban on foreign students studying below degree level if the course includes a work placement – unless that course is being provided by a university, college or training provider which has the status of ‘highly trusted sponsor’
• A requirement for students to demonstrate their English language ability by passing an approved secure test – this will apply to all students studying below (foundation) degree level, including those coming to study English language
• The introduction of tougher criteria for defining which course providers count as ‘highly trusted sponsors’ of foreign students. All publicly funded universities and colleges will count as highly trusted, and we will ensure that there is a rapid but rigorous system for ensuring that private training colleges can also gain that status as soon as possible

In making the announcement the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, said “The points-based system was introduced to provide a rigorous system to manage legitimate access to the UK to work and study, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances. We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that.”

Commonwealth Contractors

At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with OISC Registered Private Immigration Firms and Tier 2 Licensed Healthcare and IT Consultancies who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor an individual on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit).

For more information call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your details now and we will get right back to you.