How will you be affected if studying at a suspended college

If you are studying or applied to a college that has had their TIER 4 license suspended or revoked, please read the following for guidelines as given by the UKVI.


IF THE TIER 4 LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED: 

•  Students who are already studying with their sponsor: These students can continue studying while their sponsor’s licence is suspended.  

•  Students who have a visa to come to the UK but have not yet travelled:  These students are strongly advised not to attempt to travel to the UK until the suspension has been resolved. Students should check the register of sponsors for any change in their sponsor’s circumstances.

•  Students have an outstanding visa application to come to the UK, or who  have been issued with a CAS and intend to apply for a visa:   Visa applications relying on a CAS that was issued before the sponsor’s licence was suspended will be placed on hold. New applications will be accepted but placed on hold. 

•  Students with an outstanding application to extend leave to remain the UK, and those who need to make such an application:  Students can still extend their permission to stay if it is due to expire when the Tier 4 sponsor’s licence is suspended, as long as they were issued with a CAS  before the licence was suspended. These applications will be placed on hold until the suspension is resolved.  

•    Students who are on holiday overseas when their sponsoring institution’s  licence is suspended: Students with a current valid visa will be able to return to the UK and continue studying (subject to satisfactorily meeting all other immigration requirements). 

  

• Students who choose to leave the UK whilst their sponsoring institution’s licence is suspended: Students with a current valid visa will be able to return to the UK and continue studying (subject to satisfactorily meeting all other immigration requirements).  However, if the sponsoring institution’s licence is revoked whilst the student is overseas the student will not be allowed to re-enter the UK as their visa will be  cancelled.

•  Students whose sponsor has had its licence suspended and have not yet applied:  Students in the UK or overseas who are planning to apply to one of the institutions named in the suspensions but have not yet done so, should check the register of sponsors regularly for any change in the institution’s sponsor status or consider an alternative establishment. Prospective students can find an alternative sponsor by applying to another institution.

IF THE TIER 4 LICENSE HAS BEEN REVOKED COMPLETELY:

•  Students with applications outstanding:  they will be given a period of time to find a new sponsor and the application is kept on hold.

  

•  Students with leave at the institution: in most cases they will have their leave curtailed down to 60 days (starting from the date of notification by the Home Office) in which to find a new sponsor.

  

•  Students overseas who have not yet travelled: will have their visa cancelled. If the student does travel to the UK they will be refused entry. 

  

• Students seeking a refund of any fees paid to their college or university: will need to discuss this with their educational institution; the Home Office cannot become involved in these discussions as it is a contractual issue between an individual and their education provider.

 For further advice contact:

Igor & Co Solicitors
Telephone:  +44 (0) 203 174 1311
Email:          info@igorandco.co.uk

Update on Tier 4 Suspended Colleges - August 2014

Please see below for the latest list released 21st August 2014, of UK based colleges / universities that have had their TIER 4 licenses, CAS allocations re-instated, revoked completely or suspended pending an investigation after 24th June 2014.



 The following Universities have had their license reinstated

 1.       University of Bedfordshire (CAS allocations reinstated on 5th August)


The following colleges have either had their license revoked or surrendered after 24th June 2014.
  

1.       Alpha Meridian College – (Revoked)
2.       Birmingham Institute of Education Training & Technology  – (Revoked)
3.       Bradford College of Management – (Surrendered)
4.       Bradford Metropolitan College – (Revoked)
5.       Britain College  – (Surrendered)
6.       College of Excellence Limited – (Revoked)
7.       Eynsford College – (Revoked)
8.       Hammersmith Management College – (Revoked)
9.       Katherine and King's College of London – (Revoked)
10.   Kinnaird College – (Revoked)
11.   London School of Technology – (Revoked)
12.   Midlands Academy of Business and Technology – (Revoked)
13.   Queensbury College – (Revoked)
14.   Shakespeare College – (Revoked)
15.   Stanfords College UK Ltd – (Revoked)
16.   Superior College London -– (Revoked)
17.   UK Business Academy – (Revoked)
18.   West London Business College – (Revoked)


 The following colleges have had their license suspended after 24th June 2014.

 1.       Alpha College
2.       APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading as Pitman Training Centre Peterborough
3.       Birmingham Informatics College
4.       Blake Hall College
5.       Bradford Regional College
6.       Bristol College of Accountancy
7.       CAHRO Academy Ltd
8.       Central College London (Huawen Institute Division)
9.       Central College of Studies (CCS)
10.   Central Cranbrook College
11.   Citizen 2000 Education Institute
12.   City of London Academy
13.   College of Advanced Studies
14.   College of East London
15.   Cranford College
16.   Essex College Ltd
17.   Finance and Business Training Ltd (FBT)
18.   Forbes Graduate School
19.   Helios International College
20.   IIM Bedford
21.   Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies
22.   LIT LON Ltd
23.   London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB)
24.   London College of Business Management and Computing Studies
25.   London College of Finance and Accounting
26.   London Corporate College
27.   London Educators Limited
28.   London Empire Academy
29.   London Metropolitan College
30.   London Premier College Limited
31.   London Regal College
32.   London School of Advanced Studies
33.   London School of Business and Finance (LSBF)
34.   London School of Marketing Trading as LS Business School
35.   London St. Andrew's College
36.   Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited
37.   Manchester International College
38.   Manchester Trinity College Limited
39.   North West College Reading
40.   Pharez UK Ltd Trading as Pharez College
41.   Radcliffe College
42.   Sanjari International College
43.   South London College
44.   UK Vocational Training College Trading as UK College of Arts and Technology
45.   Vernon Community College
46.   West George College

List updated 21st August 2014 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-students)

UKVI Issues new Tier 4 Interview Rules

Guidance on Tier 4 interviews and genuine student rule used by UK Visas and Immigration when handling applications made outside the UK.

Please ensure you follow the guidance as set out by United Kingdom Visas & Immigration (UKVI) in order to increase your chances of a successful visa application.

• The applicant must, if required to do so on examination or interview, be able to demonstrate without the assistance of an interpreter English language proficiency of a standard to be expected from an individual who has reached the standard specified in a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) assigned.

•  To qualify for entry clearance as a student the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) must be satisfied that the applicant is a genuine student.

• Failure, without providing a reasonable explanation, to comply with a request made on behalf of the ECO to attend for interview will result in a refusal.

• Where false representations have been made or false documents or information have been submitted  there will be an immediate refusal

 The Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) will be looking at and taking into consideration:

• Whether the applicant has credible funds to meet course fees, and living costs for himself / herself and any dependants for the duration of the course in a UK city, with limited or no ability to work in the UK;
• How the applicant was able to acquire the necessary funds for course fees, as well as accommodation in a UK city and living expenses in a UK city for themselves and any dependant;
• The distance between the applicant’s place of study and their proposed accommodation in the UK:
• The average monthly expenditure for the applicant and any dependant in a UK city; or
• The applicant’s personal circumstances, where these would make it difficult to complete a full-time course of study.
• The amount of time that has elapsed since the applicant last studied, and whether the applicant has sound reasons for returning to, or commencing, formal study in this area, particularly after any significant gap;
• Whether the applicant demonstrates sufficient commitment to the course;
• Whether the course represents academic progression;
• The credibility of the applicant’s rationale for, knowledge of, and level of research undertaken into, the proposed course of study and sponsoring institution, and living arrangements in the UK;
• The relevance of the course to post-study plans in the UK or overseas; or
• How the circumstances of any dependant may affect the ability or motivation of the applicant to study.
• Previous visa applications for the UK and other countries, including reasons for any visa refusals;
• The amount of time the applicant has spent in the UK or other countries on previous visas, and for what purpose; or
• Whether the applicant has complied with the terms of previous visas for the UK and other countries. 

 
 

To read more on this from the UKVI  click here 

More Colleges have their TIER 4 License revoked or suspended

Below is another listing of college in the United Kingdom that have had their Tier 4 License either completely revoked, suspended or in Legacy status -(to be shut pending outcome)

Again, be aware that if you are a student at these colleges, they will no longer be able to offer you a place as an International Student, issue a CAS letter which is needed for your Student Visa application or to renew your student visa.

• Williams College London (Tier 4 Licence revoked)
• Swarthmore College London (Tier 4 licence suspended)
• Lea Valley College (Tier 4 licence suspended)
• Access College London (Legacy)
• Bishopthrow College (Legacy)
• London College of Advantage Studies (Legacy)
• College of Excellence Limited (Legacy)
• Eternity College Ltd (Legacy)
• London West Valley College (Tier 4 licence Revoked)
• Future Training College (Legacy)
• Greys college Ltd (Legacy)
• London Educators Ltd (Legacy)
• London Learning Center (Legacy A)
• North London College (Legacy)
• Select International college (Legacy)
• Trinity College Ltd (Legacy)
• Cromwell College of IT & Management (Revoked)
• Westlink College (Revoked on 13 May 2014)

 For those not familiar with the term 'LEGACY SPONSOR'-:

UKVI  introduced Legacy sponsor for institutes/colleges who are unable to meet their standard requirements of Tier 4 licence.  As a result Legacy sponsor will be force to shut their activities in a specific time of period if the corrections/recommendations by UKVI upon further inspection within a specified period is not made.

You will need to do several things after finding out the exact situation from your college or even simply making the decision to change colleges as often times in our experience, the affected college does not inform their students in time or some even close without any notice to the students.

• Find a new Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor (College/University)  before 60days or immediately
•  Try to get any refund that may be due to you from the college about to be closed
• Organise and pay Tuition fees for your new CAS to apply for your  new visa.
• Make sure you have enough maintenance funds as indicated by UKVI to apply  for your visa under a new Tier 4 sponsor.
• Book for IELTS/TOEFL  with a UKVI approved centre to prove your English proficiency to your new sponsor (some nationalities may not have to take an English test -click here)

For further advice contact:
Igor & Co Solicitors
Telephone:  +44 203 174 1311
Email: info@igorandco.co.uk 

UK STUDENT VISITOR VISA

Brief Reminder

The UKVI is clamping down on the applications for Student Visas.  This is to ensure only legitimate students are coming to the UK for the purpose of education/study.

Please make sure you have the correct documents, the correct amount of funds as requested and that you have paid at least 1 year of your tuition (if you are studying on a course of 1 year or more in duration).

You can also qualify for a Student Visitor visa, however, there is still a process to be followed.



You can apply for a Student Visitor visa if:

• you’re doing a short course of study in the UK
• you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
• you meet the other eligibility requirements

You can stay in the UK for:

• 6 months - for any short course including English language courses
• 11 months - an extended visa for English language courses only

You can:

• do a short course of study in the UK, such as an English language course or a training course

You can’t:

• study at a state school
• work or carry out any business
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or a civil partnership
• come to the UK specifically for private medical treatment
• extend this visa
• bring family members (‘dependants’) with you - they must apply separately
• get public funds

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.


Get more information on STUDENT VISITOR VISAS at:  https://www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa 


For further advice, you can contact our recommended Immigration solicitors -
Igor & Co Solicitors:
TEL: +44 (0) 203 174 1311
EMAIL: info@igorandco.co.uk