UK Illegal Migration Bill Becomes Law

 

The controversial Illegal Migration Bill has become law as the government prevailed over strong opposition in the Lords and figures show the number of migrants crossing the English Channel this year exceeded 14,000.

The asylum reforms form a major part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's promise to "stop the boats” and will prevent migrants from claiming asylum in the UK if they have arrived here illegally.

The disputed Bill became an Act of Parliament on Thursday after receiving Royal Assent, the same day it was revealed that 14,701 Channel illegal boat crossings have been made so far this year.

The government are hoping the new law will see detained people removed without delay, to their home country or a safe third country.

The Home Office is locked in a legal battle with the Supreme Court which will decide whether migrants can legally be deported to Rwanda, following a Court of Appeal ruling the plan unlawful.

Although there are details yet to be ironed out, this week, "people who arrive illegally under the new laws will be banned from re-entering the UK and will not be eligible for settlement or citizenship, except in limited circumstances," the Home Office said.

The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary Suella Braverman argue that taxpayers are shouldering the £6 million daily bill for migrants to be accommodated in luxury hotels.

This week a huge barge planned to house 500 asylum seekers was met by protesters as it arrived in Dorset's Portland Port.

With a general election looming, Rishi Sunak is desperate to reduce net migration, which exceeded 1 million last year.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that in 2022: 1.2 million people migrated into the UK and 557,000 people emigrated, a net migration figure of 606,000 as of the end of June 2022.  

International students could be targeted in a bid to slash immigration by the end of the current parliament.

Unlocking Student Visa Opportunities: Study Abroad In Other Countries Amid UK Home Office Restrictions

The recent restrictions imposed by the UK Home Office on overseas students have sparked a need for alternative avenues to pursue higher education. While these restrictions may limit options for international students in the UK, it's important to recognize the wealth of opportunities that exist in other countries. In this article, we explore some countries that offer excellent education systems, welcoming environments, and promising career prospects for students seeking to broaden their horizons.

1. Canada: Known for its diverse and inclusive society, Canada has become a popular destination for international students. With top-ranked universities, affordable tuition fees, and numerous scholarship opportunities, Canada offers a welcoming environment and high-quality education across various fields.

2. Germany: Renowned for its strong engineering and technical programs, Germany offers tuition-free or low-cost education at its public universities. The country's emphasis on research and innovation, combined with a rich cultural experience, makes it an attractive choice for aspiring students.

3. Australia: With its stunning landscapes and world-class universities, Australia has long been a favourite study destination. Boasting a multicultural society and a reputation for academic excellence, Australia offers a wide range of courses and ample opportunities for international students to thrive.

4. Italy: Studying in Italy offers a unique cultural experience and access to renowned educational institutions. By following the necessary steps and preparing your application diligently, you can embark on a memorable educational journey in Italy.

Conclusion:

While the UK Home Office restrictions may limit opportunities for overseas students and their dependents, it's important to view this as an opportunity to explore other countries that offer exceptional educational experiences. Countries like Canada, Germany, Australia and Italy provide a wealth of options for students seeking high-quality education, cultural diversity, and promising career prospects. By embracing these alternatives, students can unlock a world of opportunities to broaden their horizons, acquire new skills, and make lifelong connections in global educational environments.

Want to study abroad?

If you would like to study abroad in the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy or other country, click here to leave your details.

Home Secretary Relax Tier 4 Student Visa Rules Which Could See A Boost For UK Universities And Buy-To-Let Landlords

Thousands more foreign students will be able to study in UK universities under plans to relax Tier 4 visa rules the Home Office announced this week.

The Mail on Sunday said the Government will scrap rules requiring overseas students to provide evidence of sufficient funds to live here and speak English.

Students add billions to UK economy say universities

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has simplified the process of securing so-called 'Tier 4' visas for students from countries it considers a 'low risk' of abusing the system.

Critics warned that easing the rules risked bogus or underqualified students who submitted applications in a bid to beat border controls slipping through the net. But the Home Office insisted there was no evidence students from the countries involved had exploited the system. Officials insisted random spot-checks would weed out wrong-doing.

Home Secretary Sajid Javed

The measure follows other immigration reforms unveiled by Mr Javid designed to make it easier for skilled non-EU migrants to work and live in the UK.

The recently appointed Home Secretary appears to be sweeping in a new migration mood after relaxing working visa rules to allow more non-EU doctors andnurses to work in Britain. He has enabled the NHS to recruit more medical staff by excluding them from the migration cap, which means businesses and employers will be able to hire an extra 8,000 skilled non-EU workers, such as engineers, IT professionals and teachers.

The Home Office has also added 11 countries to its 'trusted' list for the purpose of student visas. The additional countries – China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Bahrain, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Maldives and Macau – bring the list to 30, but excludes India.

They join trusted countries on list including Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, the US and Taiwan. 

Overseas students from the nations on the list will enjoy a streamlined application process, with fewer documents required when applying for visas.

They will no longer need to submit evidence showing they meet the requirements for living costs of up to £1,265 a month, previous qualifications or evidence they can speak English fluently.

Figures show that in the year to March, some 100,769 students from the 11 nations were granted Tier 4 student visas to study in the UK.

The new measures have been welcomed by UK universities who have argued for easing restrictions on foreign students, claiming they contribute of £2.3billion annually to the British economy.

But Migrationwatch warned of a so-called 'slippery slope', saying: 'The last time the student visa system was loosened in 2009 it took years to recover from the massive inflow of bogus students, especially from India.'

In other measures, the Tier 1 immigration route for highly-skilled individuals will be expanded to include fashion designers who will be able to apply for the visas for 'exceptional talent' in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology or the arts.

The Home Office said the route was also being opened up to a wider pool of TV personalities and film stars.

Mr Javed also confirmed that Afghan interpreters and their families who have relocated to the UK can apply free for permanent residence.

Increased numbers of students coming to study in the UK could provide a much needed boost to the economy and buy-to-let property market, which have slowed since the Brexit referendum and stamp duty hikes.

Podcast Version

Check out my Money Tips Daily Podcast  episode "Student Visa Rule Change Boost To Property Lettings " on Anchor! https://anchor.fm/charles-kelly/episodes/Student-Visa-Rule-Change-Boost-To-Property-Lettings-e1lnkdhttps://anchor.fm/charles-kelly/episodes/Student-Visa-Rule-Change-Boost-To-Property-Lettings-e1lnkd

Listen to my Money Tips Daily Podacst, "UK To Relax Visa Rules For Nurse’s And Doctors" by Charles Kelly https://anchor.fm/charles-kelly/episodes/UK-To-Relax-Visa-Rules-For-Nurses-And-Doctors-e1l62v/a-a40kat

See also:

UK Government To Change Visa Rules For Doctors And Nurses

London Tops University Destination For International Students

How Did Billionaire Chelsea FC Owner And London Resident Abramovich Allow His Investor Visa To Expire?

London Tops University Destination For International Students

London has been ranked the best city in the world for university students, according to a new international survey.

The capital of the UK replaced year's top city Montreal to rank as number one study destination for the first time in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2018.

The study, carried out by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, builds the rankings based on a number of factors, such as affordability, desirability and the view of students.

The student survey quizzed 50,000 students about the quality of their experience in their city, and their willingness to remain there after graduating.

London scored highly in the likelihood of students getting a job (or converting a student visa to a graduate work permit and eventually permanent residence in the UK) in the city at the end of their degree study in the UK. The city has a reputation as a multi-national international city with strong levels of tolerance and diversity.

There is also a concentration of world-class universities, such as University College London and Imperial College London, which makes the city attractive to students.

But the city did not score so well on affordability, coming in at 113th in the rankings.

Ben Sowter, research director at QS, said: "The 2018 ranking highlights the enduring quality of the student experience available in London.

"The city benefits from outstanding employment prospects, more world-class universities than any other city, and enviable lifestyle opportunities.

"These factors mean that the capital remains a great place to study despite eye-watering costs."

The Canadian city of Montreal dropped to fourth in the rankings, behind Tokyo in second and Melbourne in third.

Australia, which offers students the possibility of a longer term stay after graduating, also saw Sydney climb to ninth place, while the United States failed to see any of its cities make the top 10.

Paris ranked fifth, after topping the table in 2016.

Check out my Podcast episode "Get A Cashback When You Switch Banks" on Anchor! https://anchor.fm/charles-kelly/episodes/Get-A-Cashback-When-You-Switch-Banks-e16fk6

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New Prime Minister Theresa May revises UK net migration target

So much has happened since The UK voted to leave the EU in the June referendum BREXIT that it’s difficult to know where to start. David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister and has been replaced by a woman, Mrs Theresa May - only the second time we've had a female leader since Margaret Thatcher in the 70’ and 80’s! Boris Johnson is the new Foreign Secretary and we have a new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd – a direct descendant of King Charles II and his mistress, Barbara Palmer.

Amber Rudd, who appeared in the movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral, has a fascinating ‘blue blood’ lineage. King Charles acknowledged five of Palmer’s children as his, including Ms Rudd’s ancestor Anne – and Henry FitzRoy, whose descendants include the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and therefore Princes William and Harry too. Other descendants of Palmer include Sarah, Duchess of York, the Mitford sisters, philosopher Bertrand Russell and former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.

Amber Rudd MP, Home Secretary

Photo By Government of UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amber-rudd, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50153624

Theresa May was Home Secretary, in charge of the Home Office, during the Cameron governments when the coalition government introduced a target to slash net migration to the tens of thousands. Last year net migration was over 350,000 and one of the first things Theresa May did when she moved into 10 Downing Street was to quietly revise this seemingly unreachable target. The target is now for sustainable levels of net migration.

During her long reign as Home Secretary, Mrs May dramatically reduced immigration from outside of the European Union, which, unlike EU migration, she could control. Thousands of colleges were close down and tens of thousands of students lost their sponsorship and returned home.

There are still thousands of student visa overstayers, who could not afford to go back home after failing to obtain a working visa to stay in the UK.

Tough new rules were introduced on marriage and family migration, visa appeals, work permits, indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship, where work permit holders will in future need to earn at least £35,000. The figure, seen as discriminatory by migrant groups, is higher than the UK national average salary and had led to an online petition calling to end to the rule.

Overseas trained international Nurses will be exempt only as long as they remain on the official shortage occupation list, but other work permit holders could face deportation if they fail to make the grade. However, £35,000 is achievable by Nurses, Doctors and Managers. I have met Nurses earning over £50,000 five years ago.  

Student Nurses are finding it difficult to convert to a work permit from their visas as band 3 Nurses. Every week I receive enquiries from distressed nurses who have a UK degree but cannot quite get the required IELTS result, or have lost their visas because the Home Office has cancelled their employer’s Tier 2 sponsorship.

If you are still stuck or unable to migrate, have you considered working from home or setting up a home-based business? Anyone can now set up a home based Internet business working from home or selling goods online. Companies like Amazon, eBay and Upwork offer everyone an opportunity to earn a living and even make a fortune working from home and living the laptop lifestyle.

It has never been as easy as it is right now to set up an online business I work from home. In the past, you needed a lots of technical knowledge and skills to set up websites and marketing ability to work online. Now there are companies which doodle for you.

The internet has opened up a whole new world of learning, working, socialising and doing business. We no longer need to go back to school or university to learn new skills. We can work from home, start a business or find a new life partner all from the comfort of our home.

At the click of a mouse, you can now find everything from a short instructional video to a full degree course online. If you would like more information on a free course on how to survive and thrive in the digital revolution and discover the truth about making money online, click here.

See also:

Uber offering free English courses to migrant worker drivers 

Immigration Act 2016 - main highlights in a nutshell

Special Report

Buy Property With None Of Your Own Money....

Mark Homer explains the strategies that have helped thousands of people buy property with none of their own money.

You can obtain the report free, by clicking here...

International students needed by UK Universities and they contribute billions to the UK economy

UK higher education brings billions of pounds into the economy with thousands of international students coming here to study and, for many, to make a life in Britain.

Immigration Rules allow university students to work under a student visa while studying in the UK and apply for a Tier 2 work permit after they graduate with a UK degree. 

But under new proposals announced by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, graduates will be required to leave the country and re-apply for a UK visa to come back and work.

The government must balance the need to control immigration and keep the economy moving in the right direction. Figures show that thousands of students are remaining in the UK after their studies putting more pressure on Home Office net migration targets.

Putting it in simple terms, an international student from a less affluent country can make more money in the UK as a care worker than he can back home as a lawyer or accountant. 

The problem is, a low paid care worker on minimum wage is not contributing to the economy - many will pay hardly any tax and if they have children at schools will be a net drain on the system.

Employers want a more open UK visa system for foreign students and Tier 2 workers, as this gives them a wider choice of available talent.

On the other hand, the country is facing a huge shortage of housing which is forcing prices beyond the reach of young people trying to get on the property ladder.

UK universities argue that they are competing with countries, like Australia, which welcome the best students and allow them to stay on to find and obtain working visas.

International students are important to the UK’s economy, contributing billions of pounds every year and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

Many UK universities appear in the top of world’s league tables year after year, and need the best national and international talent to stay ahead of the competition.

For overseas students and migrants, the UK remains a huge draw because of its strong economy, flexible business laws and money making opportunities. Frankly, Britain needs their energy and drive.

Home Office plans to send international students back home after spending up to £50000 obtaining a UK degree

The Sunday Times has leaked Home Office plans to force overseas students – who can spend as much as £50000 in course fees and living costs completing a UK degree at a minor university - to return to their home country after their courses finish before applying for a visa extension.

The latest Government plan to reduce net migration, reportedly being considered by the Home Secretary Theresa May, will be seen by international students, who bring in billions of pounds to the UK, as another slap in the face.

The news is bound to drive yet more of bright young people to the more student friendly visa regimes of Australia, Canada and other EU countries such as Germany.

Under May’s proposals, students from non-European countries would have to return home and apply for a work visa if they wanted to continue to live in the UK after graduation.

This means that if an employer wanted to sponsor a Tier 4 student visa graduate under a Tier 2 working visa, the candidate would have to travel back home to apply for another visa to re-enter the UK, a process which could take several months.

The report in The Sunday Times said Mrs May wants a future Conservative government to "move towards zero net student migration" by sending home those who come to Britain on student visas. 

A “source” close to the Home Secretary told the newspaper: "Making sure immigrants leave Britain at the end of their visa is as important a part of running a fair and efficient immigration system as controlling who comes here in the first place.

"Theresa is pressing for the next Conservative manifesto to contain a policy that will make sure that anybody coming here on a student visa will have to leave the country in order to apply for a new visa of any kind.

"She wants to make the colleges and universities that sponsor foreign students responsible for ensuring their departure.

"She wants to be able to fine colleges and universities with low departure rates and deprive the worst of them of their right to sponsor foreign students."

At present under the current Immigration Rules, the majority of graduate students are able to switch to a Tier 2 work visa whilst the UK. They also have options to apply for further leave to remain, for instance by switching to a Tier 1 or Entrepreneur visa.

The latest move will further erode the available options for graduate to remain in the UK. The previous Post Study Work (PSW), which allowed graduates to remain in the UK for up to 2 years in order to find an employer, was abolished along with other attractive features which helped make the UK a leading destination for fee paying students.

The coalition Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable, who holds responsibility for universities has previously warned about the anti-immigration message being sent out around the world which is putting off students from countries like India from attending UK universities.

A senior Lib Dem source said her plan made "zero economic sense" and could deprive the UK of highly-skilled graduates.

"Such a blunt instrument would not get our support," the source said.

"The idea that you have people from abroad studying in this country and they become engineers or scientists of huge practical value to the economy, and rather than have them stay here you immediately turf them out makes zero economic sense."

Whilst the proposals have yet to become law, any foreign student currently studying in the UK or considering coming to the UK to study at a British university will be affected by the new visa rules upon graduation. In other words, even if they idea is never followed through the damage has been done and UK universities will have lost international students and much needed fees.

Student visa expiring

Foreign students in the UK who are not nationals of the European Economic Area must contend with one of the toughest immigration systems in the world and an ever-changing set of rules. This article gives an overview of the options available when your UK adult student visa is expiring. If you intend to continue studying in the UK The most straightforward option is normally to extend your student visa. This is an application for “leave to remain” under the Tier 4 (adult student) category. You must meet the following requirements:

• Have been accepted onto an suitable course with a registered Tier 4 sponsor;
• Not have spent more than the maximum period permitted in the UK on a student visa (ranging from three to eight years depending on the course level);
• Meet the English language requirement;
• Meet the financial requirement (to have held a specified amount of money for a month preceding the application); and
• Not fall under the general grounds for refusal (relating to criminal convictions etc).

Further details on the eligibility criteria can be found in the Immigration Rules and official guidance (available on the UK Border Agency website). It’s vital to understand the requirements as there is very little flexibility if they are not met. If you want to work in the UK If you have a job offer from an employer who is licensed to sponsor foreign workers you may be able to extend your stay in the UK under the Tier 2 (General) immigration category. This is subject to various requirements, including a minimum proposed salary and skill level. A list of licensed Tier 2 sponsors is available on the UK Border Agency website. Alternatively, if you want to engage in business in the UK after graduating you could consider the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category (you must have £200,000 or in some cases £50,000 available for investment); or the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category (you must have studied at degree level at an authorised institution that has approved your proposed business plan). If you are married to or in a long-term relationship (two years cohabitation is normally required) with a British citizen or national of the European Economic Area you might be able to make an application to remain here on that basis. There is a number of immigration categories in addition to the above that may allow you to extend your stay in the UK. It is also possible to make a “discretionary “application if you do not fall under a specific category although these are only approved in the most compelling circumstances. In all cases there are two golden rules to follow when your student visa is expiring. First, start planning well in advance. Second, use an adviser who is registered with the Law Society or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). This will not guarantee that you will be able to stay in the UK but should ensure that you are aware of all the options and minimise the risk of your application being refused on a technicality.
If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Tier 2, Tier 4, applying for university if your college has closed down, Visa, ILR, Settlement, Citizenship, Dependant Visa or an appeal against a UK Border Agency or British Embassy refusal, or if you have been waiting for a reply from the Home Office for longer than a year, please email: immigration@londonccs.com or visit www.conceptcaresolutions.com for free immigration news updates.

150,000 Tier 4 student notifications of change backlog allowed thousands to overstay visas

John Vine, the Chief Inspector of immigration, admits that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has a backlog of 150,000 ‘notifications about changes in Tier 4 students circumstances’ sent to them by colleges and universities, which means they do not know who has left the country and who has overstayed their visas. The latest UKBA fiasco, reveled in the latest Chief Inspector’s report this week, has allowed thousands of overseas students to potentially overstay in Britain when they should have had their visas curtailed. Mr Vine, has confirmed that at the time of his inspection in May there was a backlog of over 150,000 notifications about changes in students' circumstances, which includes discontinuing studies, failing to enrol on their courses or breaching the conditions of their visas. In John Vine’s report, published this week, Vine says: "As a result, there could potentially be thousands of migrants in the UK who were not complying with the conditions of their visa and whose leave should have been curtailed by the agency but had not been. "One senior manager informed us that at the time of the inspection there were potentially 26,000 students whose leave should have been curtailed and who should have had enforcement action taken against them." The backlog of notifications about changes in the circumstances of overseas students dates back to March 2009 when Tier 4 of the five tier points based system was launched. The problem with Tier 4 is that although it was supposed to be a fully computerised system, it was actually launched as a paper based manual system. Many commentators say ill-prepared points system has ended in tears. Visas were dished out all too easily and non-compliant students reported by the colleges were allowed to overstay their visas. Private colleges have long been aware that change of circumstance reports, such as a student dropping out of a course, sent to the UKBA are rarely even acknowledged let alone acted upon. Now the UKBA is spending millions of pounds of tax payers money employing private companies to track them down – shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Why didn’t the UKBA deal with them when they had their addresses at the time they were reported? Meanwhile UKBA bosses pay themselves massive bonuses, which the Chairman of Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz MP says should be repaid following reports that UKBA officers misled Parliament over another backlog of asylum cases. The UKBA launched ‘Operation Mayapple’ (which sounds like something out of a Bond movie) last May to “identify” student who could still be in the UK and not complying with their Tier 4 visa conditions. ‘Operation Rosehip’ was launched by the at the same time to target students who should have left Britain. As a result 23,000 students had been ordered to comply with their student visas or face enforcement action. Responding to the report, the Immigration Minister, Mark Harper, said: "We are the first government to tackle the historically high levels of abuse in the student visa system. We have toughened the rules to ensure that genuine students are not taken advantage of by organisations looking to sell immigration not education. "At the same time, we have a great offer for the brightest and best international talent who want to study at our world class institutions." Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister, Chris Bryant, said this is yet another damning report about the UKBA and a scandalous situation. Bryant conveniently failed to mention that Labour introduced the points based system and were in power when the backlog of overstayers built up. Cynthia Barker of immigration advisers Concept Care Solutions has helped over-staying students who were arrested and detained pending removal orders. One Nigerian university student client, who had never been in trouble, spent 80 days detained in prison conditions, refused bail, sharing cells with convicted criminals and terror suspects. She said: “Young students from good families are intimidated by the experience of being detained and feel pressured into leaving voluntarily or are scared to seek legal advice. “Some clients leave voluntarily when they had a right to appeal or stay in the UK, for instance because they are in a relationship and have children. “Visa overstayers can avoid removal if they have an EEA partner. In this case we managed to pull him off a deportation flight ten minutes before take off because he was in a genuine relationship, and therefore a human right to a family life under article 8, with his Eastern European girlfriend.” If you have overstayed your visa or need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Tier 2, Tier 4, applying for university if your college has closed down, Visa, ILR, Settlement, Citizenship, Dependent Visa or an appeal against a UK Border Agency or British Embassy refusal, or if you have been waiting for a reply from the Home Office for longer than a year, please email immigration@londonccs.com or visit http://conceptcaresolutions.com/page.php?id=15

Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 05 September 2010

Illegal immigrants working in the House of Commons

A firm called ‘KGB Cleaners’ employing illegal workers in the House of Commons. You couldn’t make it up!

Migrating to Canada: eligibility criteria for federal skilled worker applications

Want to migrate to Canada under the federal skilled worker scheme? Check out the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, which outlines the following changes to the elligibility critieria effective 26 June 2010

Domestic Worker OFW jumps to her death from 7th floor condo with umbrella

Filipino migrant rights group is urging the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia to investigate the death of an unidentified overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who supposedly jumped out of the window of her employer’s condominium unit on the 7th floor of a building using an umbrella as a parachute to escape

Migrant millionaire entrepreneur Vijay Patel honoured by De Montfort University

Indian-origin entrepreneur Vijay Patel, who came to Britain from Kenya 40 years ago with only five pounds in his pocket but went on to find riches in the pharmaceuticals industry, has been honoured by his old university.

POEA opens Regional offices for returning OFWs

Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or “balikmanggagawa,” from Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte can now process their overseas employment certificates (OECs) without going to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) head office in Mandaluyong City.

Net immigration figure pose a problem for UK Prime Minister Cameron

Last week’s figures showing a sharp rise in immigration into the UK is sure to add to the pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron to say how his proposed cap on annual immigration will work and at what level it will be set, the Financial Times reports.

See also:

Massive Job Opportunities in Canada

Why the world wants to be Canadian

For more information on how you can migrate to Canada - CLICK HERE

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Tier 4 Student UK Graduation

Majestic College international student graduates receive their OCR NVQ certificates.

Many Tier 4 students have used their NVQ Health and Social Care qualification to successfully apply for a working visa (under Tier 2 of the points based system) and Social Care Workers.
www.majesticcollege.org

This week Business Secretary Vince Cable acknowledged the ‘huge export earnings from overseas students’.

See also:

UK Government propose graduate tax and wider role for private institutions in higher education

English UK win High Court battle over Tier 4 student visas

Early Day Motion calls on UK Government to scrap new Tier 4 student visa rules

Tier 4 student visa rules change starts today

Foreign student working hours to be cut under new rules announced today

Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme for Tier 4 sponsors launched by UK Border Agency

Points Based System appeal case succeeds

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Want to improve your English? To find out how Click Here!

English language schools win High Court battle over Tier 4 student visa rules

English language schools, represented by English UK, have won a High Court battle over visa restrictions which they say are ‘absurd and damaging’ to their businesses.

They took the action over new regulations which say that people coming to the UK to study must have a good standard of English, even when they are coming to study English.

The restrictions were part of a raft of hurried changes to the student visa rules brought in before the General Election.

The previous Labour government said that migrants seeking low-skilled work were abusing the Tier 4 student visa system.

Foreign students coming to study are now required to have English language skills of at least GCSE level.

English UK, which represents 440 language schools, says the regulations are "disproportionate and unjustified".

The group's chief executive Tony Millns said:

"It's clearly absurd requiring students to know English before they come here to study it."

His group brought the case after new Tier 4 rules were announced on the Andrew Marr show by the former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

At the the same time The UK Border Agency also announced details of the newly launched ‘Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme’ for education providers under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

Counsel for English UK argued in court that the Home Office should have brought the issue back to Parliament for proper debate.

Mr Justice Foskett said the fresh restrictions had been achieved through altering guidelines when there should have been a formal change to the rules, with the matter referred back to Parliament.

Mr Millns said:

"I am delighted and relieved.

"We are pleased that Mr Justice Foskett saw the merits of our case and we believe that his decision is good for the UK economy, to which the English language sector contributes about £1.5 billion in foreign earnings each year."

Common sense prevails

He said he hoped common sense would now prevail so that students could come into the UK to study English with a lower level in the language, equivalent to having studied it for 150 to 200 hours.

The coalition government says it is reviewing English language requirements across the visa system.

It believes the student visa system could be abused by people who want to come to Britain but have no intention of studying.

A spokesman for the Home Office said:

"We are carefully considering this judgment.

"This government is committed to undertake a review into the Student Tier of the Points Based System in its entirety later this year to ensure that every student who comes to the UK is genuine."

Last month the government said it would bring forward to the autumn other measures planned by Labour requiring many immigrants marrying UK citizens to prove they have a command of English.

Related stories:

English language schools to challenge tightening of visa rules by judicial review

Early Day Motion calls on UK Government to scrap new Tier 4 student visa rules

Tier 4 student visa rules change starts today

Foreign student working hours to be cut under new rules announced today

Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme for Tier 4 sponsors launched by UK Border Agency

Points Based System appeal case succeeds

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

International students are turning to universities as UK government clamp down on private colleges

Cynthia Barker writes that UK based non-EU students are increasingly looking to Universities as a place to continue their studies after having their fingers burned by private colleges.

Although University fees are higher than in the private sector, students are more secure from the kind of immigration rule changes which the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has inflicted on non-government colleges in the last few months.

As an immigration adviser I have met students who have been through up to three private colleges only to see each one been closed down or had their Tier 4 licence revoked just months after been put on the register by the UKBA.

With this in mind some are no longer prepared to risk losing thousands of pounds on a college which, however reputable, can be put out of business at the stroke of a pen.

So what are the pro’s and con’s of a University compared to a private provider?

The first obvious advantage of using a government funded provider is security. Any rule changes are likely to favour the state sector, which had previously been losing out to more competitive private colleges, and Universities will not lose their Tier 4 licence - however badly they monitor their students!

The other crucial advantage is that most University courses lead to a recognised Bachelors or Masters degree, which means you can automatically qualify to stay in the UK under the ‘Post-study work’ scheme for two years under Tier 1 of the points based system. Some private colleges also offer degree level courses validated by Universities.

British Universities are renowned all over the world for their excellence and high standards and a UK degree carries a lot of weight on any CV.

On the other hand fees for courses will be much higher than a private college, a typical degree course will cost around £8900 per annum, and term times are not so flexible.

However, Evelie Padadac an OISC registered immigration adviser with Bison Management UK, said students with a Philippine degree can benefit from their APL (Accredited Prior Learning) and gain a degree in a shorter time or go straight to a one year post graduate Masters programme.

For instance, a student with a nursing degree and some experience back home could gain a UK BSc in Nursing degree, which would enable them to practice as a registered nurse, by only completing the final year of the course.

There are a multitude of subjects from Foundation degrees to MBA’s available to study with the most popular courses for overseas students being business and management.

Colleges fight back

The UK Border Agency are facing a raft of Judicial Reviews against Tier 4 suspension decisions from international colleges.

In March English UK, which represents English language schools, launched a legal challenge against the Home Office over fears that the UK will lose thousands of jobs and £400m in income through tighter visa regulations.

Earlier this month a cross party group of 14 MP’s signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on the UK Government to abolish ‘flawed and rushed’ legislation brought in by the previous administration requiring overseas students wishing to study English in Britain to first pass an English test. An appeal against the Home Office interpretation of the Points Based System has succeeded in the Court of Appeal. The case is Secretary of State for the Home Department v Pankina [2010] EWCA Civ 719. The question now is where this leaves the Home Office on the many Judicial Review cases it is defending against international colleges and English UK.

Overseas students worth £8 billion to UK economy

Financial pressures have made overseas students an increasingly important source of income for universities and the wider economy.

In the UK, overseas students are worth £5.3bn each year, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and £8 billion according to former immigration minister Phil Woolas.

There are plenty of countries waiting in the wings to woo international students such as Australia where students have a route to residency.

See also:

Colleges challenge UK Govenrment’s Tier 4 suspension in Judicial Review

Early Day Motion calls on UK Government to scrap new Tier 4 student visa rules

English language schools to challenge tightening of visa rules by judicial review

Points Based System appeal case succeeds

For free immigration news updates, please visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Commons Speaker to investigate leak claim

Immigration Matters reports.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has promised to investigate claims that a statement on immigration was leaked to the media before MPs were informed, the BBC reports.

Labour MP Chris Bryant accused ministers of "consistently leaking to the press".

He added that, in telling the media before MPs about its plans, the government could "laugh at this House".

Mr Bercow promised an inquiry to "decide what action needs to be taken".

In a statement to the Commons, Home Secretary Theresa May announced a consultation on introducing an annual cap on non-EU immigration and said that, as a first step, the number of skilled workers allowed into the UK from outside the EU is to be cut by 1,300 between now and April 2011.

'New pattern'

This was widely reported in the media beforehand.

Making a point of order, Mr Bryant said to the Speaker: "You said last week and you said five weeks ago that you wholly deprecated the practice of ministers announcing things to the press before announce them to this House."

He added: "There's no point getting elected to this House if you might as well have stayed at home and listened to the statement on the radio or television or read it in the newspapers...

"We know we have a government which is consistently leaking to the press."

Mr Bryant said it was important to act because "otherwise, ministers will laugh at this house".

In response, Mr Bercow said he did not know the details of Mr Bryant's claims, but told MPs: "I reiterate in the strongest possible terms that I entirely deprecate the practice of releasing to the media the content of ministerial statements before those statements have been made to the House."

He added: "I can confirm to the honourable gentleman [Mr Bryant] that I'm willing to look further into the precise details of this case, to decide what, if any, action needs to be taken.

"We need to establish a new pattern in this parliament, whereby this sort of thing doesn't happen and, if it does, action is taken."

Mr Bercow said he would report back to MPs with the findings of the inquiry. Source BBC

See also:

Immediate cap on non-EU migrant workers to be introduced by Home Office

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

American Immigration - what impact of increased processing fees?

The following article by analyzes the rising costs of US Immigration petitions and applications and how these increased fees may impact those who wish to bring a foreign loved one to the United States of America.

Recently enacted rules by the American State Department have resulted in increased fees for those applying for K-1 and K-3 visas, and their derivative counterparts, abroad. In the recent past, the application fee for K category visas was $131 per applicant. Under the recently promulgated rules, K visa applicants must pay 350 USD when applying for a K1, K2, K3, or K4 visa at a Consulate abroad. The apparent reason for the fee increase is due to the fact that the State Department seems to feel that more resources are necessary to effectively process certain non-immigrant visa applications. Many are of the opinion that increased fees will also be used to assist in the Department of State's ongoing efforts to uncover fraud in the American Immigration process.

Even though the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (the agency which has jurisdiction over the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service commonly referred to by the acronym USCIS) are two separate government agencies they both usually have a role in the American Immigration process. For instance, in K-1 fiance visa cases, USCIS is tasked with the adjudication of the initial K1 visa petition. After USCIS approval, the K-1 visa petition is sent to the National Visa Center (under the jurisdiction of the American State Department) where the case is forwarded to the Embassy or Consulate with proper jurisdiction. After the arrival of the K1 case file at an American Consulate overseas, the proposed beneficiary of the K-1 visa must submit a K-1 visa application and be subjected to a K-1 visa interview. Should the application receive approval, the K-1 visa holder must then travel to the United States within 180 days and request admission at the Customs and Border Protection Service (USCBP, also under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security) at an American port of entry.

Upon arrival in the United States and after marriage to the petitioner, the K-1 visa holder will have Ninety (90) days in which to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.

The K1 visa process is complicated and rather time consuming. There are some who hope that an increase in petition and application fees will result in a faster and more efficient process. However, each American Immigration case is different and it is difficult to foresee all possibilities in each and every Immigration petition and/or application.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will raise fees an average 10% to help close a projected $200-million budget deficit. The cost of citizenship applications will not increase.

The cost of obtaining a green card, business visa and other US immigration benefits will increase an average 10% under a proposal announced Wednesday by federal immigration officials.

But in a move hailed by immigrant advocates, officials decided not to propose fee hikes for US citizenship applications, one of the largest and most politically popular categories of immigration benefits.

Citizenship fees were increased by nearly 70% to $675 in 2007, which immigrant advocates say contributed to a sharp drop in the number of citizenship applications over the last two years.

See also:

US Green cards face fee hikes

Complete USA Immigration and Naturalization Package

For more information on US Naturalization and immigration Click Here!

US Citizenship And Immigration | Ciudadania Americana E Inmigracion.

Immigration Is A Hot Market. Benefit From 100% Unique Content Based On Personal Events. This Is Not Legal Advice. | La Inmigracion Es Un Mercado Muy Cotizado. Aproveche El Unico Contenido 100% Basado En Eventos Personales. Esto No Es Un Consejo Legal.

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Ultimate Guide to Job Interview Answers

"How To Answer Any Question An Interviewer Could Possibly Throw At You! ... " Click Here!

UK Border Agency stops sham marriage

A bogus groom has been jailed at Leeds Crown Court last week for 12 months after plotting to stage a sham marriage, the UK Border Agency said.

Days before the planned wedding, 23-year-old Shola Bansi Yaya - a Nigerian illegal immigrant - and his fake bride Adejumoke Ariyeye, 24, were arrested as they arrived at church for a meeting with the vicar. The marriage was stopped after an investigation by the UK Border Agency immigration crime team revealed that fake documents were being used in the marriage plans.

Yaya and Ariyeye, together with 20-year-old Portuguese accomplice Maria Da Grava Correia Tavares Da Silva, were sentenced today for arranging the fake marriage that would have enabled Yaya to apply to take up permanent residence in the UK. Yaya and Da Silva had already pleaded guilty, while Ariyeye, a Nigerian who was in the country legally, was found guilty at court last month.

Yaya was jailed for 12 months. Da Silva and Ariyeye both received suspended 12-month sentences.

The court heard how Yaya, who entered the UK illegally in 2003, approached the vicar at St Peter's Church, Morley, Leeds in October last year to make arrangements to marry Da Silva. However, his marriage application aroused the suspicion of the Registrar to the Bishop and Diocese of Wakefield, who reported the marriage request to the UK Border Agency.

Officers from our immigration crime team launched an investigation into the planned marriage and discovered that many of the details and documents supplied by Yaya were falsified, including his UK address and immigration status. The court also heard that the woman Yaya had taken to meet the vicar was not Da Silva, but was Ariyeye who was fraudulently using Da Silva's Portuguese passport.

A wedding date was set for Saturday 12 December 2009, but on Tuesday 8 December a staged meeting with the vicar was arranged by the UK Border Agency. When Yaya and Ariyeye (claiming to be Da Silva) arrived at the church, they were arrested by officers from the immigration crime team. Further investigations by the team enabled them to trace Da Silva to an address in London, where she was arrested on 20 January this year. She admitted becoming involved in the scam after she had been offered £500 in exchange for her identity documents.

In interview, Yaya claimed he was introduced to Da Silva in London and then paid £3,000 to arrange a sham marriage to the Portuguese woman. He claimed that Da Silva had subsequently refused to take part in the marriage unless she was given more money, at which point it was arranged for Ariyeye to act as a stand-in.

Jeremy Oppenheim, regional director for the UK Border Agency, said:

'The UK Border Agency successfully thwarted this attempt to gain illegal residency in the UK by means of a sham marriage. The case demonstrates our determination to take action against those who try to falsify marriages in order to gain entry to the UK.

'We have specialist teams of immigration officers and police working side by side to investigate and prosecute cases just like this and ensuring people are not able to benefit from breaking the UK's immigration laws.'

Detective Inspector Don Newlove of the UK Border Agency immigration crime team said:

'This is one of a number of successful prosecutions into sham marriages carried out by the UK Border Agency North East, Yorkshire and Humberside immigration crime team.

'This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of police and immigration officers working together to tackle immigration crime.' Source: UK Border Agency.

See also:

UKBA announce that migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Weekly Immigration News Round up 20 June 2010 from www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

US Green cards face fee hikes

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will raise fees an average 10% to help close a projected $200-million budget deficit. The cost of citizenship applications will not increase.

UK Border Agency foils sham marriage

A bogus groom has been jailed at Leeds Crown Court last week for 12 months after plotting to stage a sham marriage, the UK Border Agency said.

Justice Secretary defends government over Refugee and Migrant Justice collapse

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has defended a decision not to prevent the collapse of the UK’s largest immigration law practice, the BBC reports.

Rapper Snoop Dogg granted UK Visa

Rapper Snoop Dogg Granted UK Visa by UK Border Agency and will play Glastonbury.

Revised forms and guidance for the Tier 4 Highly Trusted sponsor licence

The UK Border Agency has announced that revised versions of the application form and guidance for the Highly Trusted sponsors licence (under Tier 4 of the points-based system) have been published today.

Foreign Secretary Hague praises UK Filipino workers

Despite the United Kingdom’s strict migration policies and plans for a cap on non-EU migrants, new British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the presence of the 250,000 UK based Filipinos and praised their “considerable” contribution to the country’s economy and health.

Overseas Filipino Workers investing more from remittances

The number of families of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) that set aside a portion of their monthly allotment as investments is growing, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Threat from bogus students and visa fraud is low according to new evidence

As the US, UK and Australia compete for international students, fears of bogus applicants abusing visa systems persist, but recent research suggests fraud risk levels could be low, the Guardian reports.

Immigrants’ contribution to entrepreneurialism revealed

New study shows that restricting UK visas to key professions would stifle economic growth.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Complete USA Immigration and Naturalization Package

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Early day motion by MP's in support of doomed Refugee Migrant Justice (RMJ) group

The JCWI has called for members to write to their MP's to ask for support for the Early Day Motion to save the RMJ.

The JCWI press release in full

Please send over a quick e mail to your MP to support the save RMJ campaign and ask them to out their name to Early Day Motion 191 tabled by Caroline Lucas MP. This appears below

Early Day Motion - EDM 191

REFUGEE AND MIGRANT JUSTICE CHARITY

09.06.2010

Lucas, Caroline

That this House notes that the legal advice charity Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) is in danger of closing because it is facing a cash crisis because a large proportion of legal aid work is now paid upon completion, meaning payment can take anything up to two years; further notes that as a result the charity has a £1.8 million backlog of payments; further notes that senior legal and human rights experts, faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Citizens Advice, Liberty and Mind all back the campaign to rescue the legal advice charity from the cash crisis that is not of their own making; is aware that RMJ is not asking for new money but simply prompt payment of legal aid by the Legal Services Commission, or failing that, interest-free loans by the Government to cover the gap; and calls for the legal aid payment system to be changed to ensure charities are paid promptly for their work.

Signatures( 32)

Status

Lucas, Caroline

Durkan, Mark

Edwards, Jonathan

George, Andrew

Meale, Alan

Hemming, John

Bottomley, Peter

Corbyn, Jeremy

Cunningham, Jim

Dobbin, Jim

Leech, John

Williams, Stephen

Russell, Bob

Mactaggart, Fiona

Cryer, John

Alexander, Heidi

Huppert, Julian

Reeves, Rachel

Mordaunt, Penny

Sanders, Adrian

Jackson, Glenda

Lazarowicz, Mark

Davidson, Ian

Hancock, Mike

Betts, Clive

Crockart, Mike

Blomfield, Paul

Wright, Simon

Illsley, Eric

Kaufman, Gerald

Abbott, Diane

McCarthy, Kerry

Yesterday the JCWI called on members and lawyers to stage a second demonstration in London.

See also:

JCWI call for demo against Refugee and Migrant Justice closure

Justice Secretary defends government over Refugee and Migrant Justice collapse

Weekly Immigration News Round up 20 June 2010

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Complete USA Immigration and Naturalization Package

For more information on US Naturalization and immigration Click Here!