New Rules and Changes to Tier 4 visas

The  following changes were announced on 13 July 2015 and will affect TIER 4 visa holders / applicants (mainly international students studying in the UK)

The main changes will:

• stop new students at publicly funded colleges from working, bringing them in line with those at private colleges (from August)
  
  
• allow university students to study a new course at the same level but only where there’s a link to their previous course or the university confirms that this supports their career aspirations. There will be credibility interviews and sanctions against universities who abuse this rule (from August)
  
  
• ban college students from extending their Tier 4 visas in the UK unless they are studying at an ‘embedded college’, one which has a formal, direct link to a university that is recognised by the Home Office. This will require them to leave and apply for a new visa from outside the UK if they wish to study another course (from November)
  
  
• 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. This brings the maximum period into line with the length of time British students generally spend in further education (from November)
  
  
• stop Tier 4 dependants from taking a low or unskilled job, but allow them to take part-time or full-time skilled work (from the autumn)
  

 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tier-4-visas-immigration-rules-changes

Why are Tier 4 Colleges / Universities Revoked?

Once again we are seeing colleges who provide tution to Tier 4 - international visa students having their Tier 4 license revoked or suspended as evidenced in our previous listings of 'revoked, suspended colleges'.

These are due to a combination of infractions from colleges which are set out in the legal document UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor guidance - Tier 4 Compliance which include but are not limited to:

• Failure to keep records about the institution.
• Failure to keep records about Tier 4 students
• Failure to report a change in the sponsor’s circumstances to UKVI and/or the relevant Educational Oversight body
• Failure to report a change in students’ circumstances
• Failure to withdraw sponsorship from non-compliant students
• Failure to take steps to ensure that students have valid leave
• Instances of the Sponsor Management System being misused
• Failure of students to comply with their conditions of leave
• Failure to monitor students; academic progression before assigning CAS
• Deliberately providing false information, failing to disclose information, or acting dishonestly.
• Failure to cooperate with the Home Office, such as not allowing its staff immediate access to any of your sites on request (whether or not visits are prearranged)
• Failure to report a significant change in your institution’s circumstances, such as a change of ownership.
• Assigning CAS to students without properly assessing their English language ability in accordance with this guidance, or their academic suitability.
• Providing courses to Tier 4 students that do not meet the Tier requirements set out in this guidance. For example, courses which do not lead to an approved qualification or meet the requirements relating to work placements, minimum NQF levels, or teaching locations.
• Failure to monitor student attendance effectively.
• Failure to comply, as an employer, with illegal working requirements
• Giving UKVI cause to believe that you do not or cannot comply with a sponsorship duty, when failure to comply suggests a serious or systematic failing or indicates a threat to immigration control.
•  Operating in a manner that poses a risk to immigration control, such as failing to take steps to ensure non-EEA students have leave to remain in the UK.
• Failure to have proper records of staff and right to work

 
As the above list states, Tier 4 sponsors do have a duty to ensure they are complying at all times with these requirements.

Genuine colleges that are still fortunate to be on the registered list of Tier 4 sponsors are being extremely vigilant in their record keeping, management of current students and in many cases have tightened up and become selective in their Admissions and Enrolment processes.  

More and more students who breach their college/university regulations are being reported to the UKVI/Home Office and having their sponsorship withdrawn.

If you are a TIER 4 student we strongly advise that you do everything to stay within the rules of your College/University.

Be assured that no GENUINE college or university will be risking their Tier 4 Sponsor License to keep students who are in breach of their rules and regulations.

Further update to Tier 4 Revoked colleges in UK 2015

Our last listing on SUSPENDED and REVOKED Tier 4 License colleges in the UK  dated 4th June 2015 has been updated as below - please note if you do not see your college listed here and you do have proof that they have been suspended or revoked,  feel free to submit the information to  us at britishvisas@gmail.com


KNOWN SUSPENDED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 28th JUNE 2015

1. Aldgate College
2. Bucks New University (suspended 9th March 2015)
3. Essex College of Management and IT Ltd
4. London College of Business Management and Information Technology
5. London School of Business and Accountancy
6. London School of Law
7. Middlesex College of Law Ltd
8. Oxford College of London
9. St. Patrick's International College (suspended 19th Feb 2015)
10. Sharp Development Solutions Ltd - Trading As SDS College London
11. The City College
12. University Tutorial College
13. Westminster Academy

 
KNOWN REVOKED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 28th JUNE 2015


As always, we do advise, if you are a student at any of the colleges below, do not wait for the 60day letter - start to apply to a new, recognised, TIER 4, education provider as soon as possible.

1. 360 GSP College - revoked
2. 14 Stars (London) Ltd - Trading As European College for Higher Education - Revoked
3. Alpha College - Revoked
4. Alpha Meridian College - Revoked 
5. Apex College - (revoked FEB 2015)
6. APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading As Pitman Training Centre Peterborough - Revoked 
7. Barking & Dagenham College (revoked)
8. Birmingham Informatics College Ltd - Revoked
9. Birmingham Institute of Education Training and Technology - Revoked
10. Blake Hall College - Revoked
11. Bradford College of Management - Surrendered
12. Bradford Metropolitan College - Revoked
13. Bradford Regional College – Revoked
14. British Institute of Technology & E-Commerce
15. Bristol College of Accountancy - Revoked
16. Britain College - Surrendered
17. CAHRO Academy Ltd - Revoked
18. Central College London (a division of Huawen Institute) - Revoked
19. Central College of Studies (CCS) - Revoked
20. Central Cranbrook College - Revoked
21. Citizen 2000 Education Institute - Revoked
22. City College Nottingham - Revoked
23. City of London Academy - Revoked
24. College of Advanced Studies - Revoked
25. College of East London - Revoked
26. College of Excellence Limited - Revoked
27. Cranford College - (revoked 1st May 2015)
28. Docklands Academy - (revoked March 2015)
29. Docklands College - Revoked
30. East End Computing & Business College -( revoked MARCH 2015)
31. Empress College - Surrendered
32. Essex College Ltd - Revoked
33. Eynsford College - Revoked
34. Forbes Graduate School - Revoked 
35. Futures College -  ( revoked FEB 2015)
36. Finance & Technology Institute of London (Study Solutions Ltd)- revoked MAY 2015
37. Grafton College - surrendered March 2015
38. Global Vision College-revoked
39. Hammersmith Management College - Revoked
40. Helios International College - Revoked 
41. Hendon Business School (revoked)
42. IIM Bedford - Revoked
43. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies - Revoked
44. Katherine and King's College of London - Revoked 
45. Kent College of Business & Computing (revoked Sept 2014)
46. Kinnaird College - Revoked 
47. Leyton College- revoked
48. LIT LON Ltd - Revoked
49. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) - Surrendered
50. London Churchill College - Surrendered 
51. London College of Advanced Management ( revoked JAN 2015)
52. London College of Finance and Accounting - Revoked
53. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies -Surrendered
54. London Corporate College - Revoked
55. London Educators Limited - Revoked
56. London Empire Academy - Surrendered
57. London Metropolitan College – Revoked
58. London Premier College Limited - Revoked
59. London Regal College - Revoked 
60. London School of Commerce & IT - revoked
61. London Academy of Management Sciences - revoked
62. London School of Advanced Studies - Revoked 
63. London School of Commerce & IT (revoked)
64. London School of Marketing - Trading As LS Business School - Revoked
65. London School of Technology - Revoked
66. London St. Andrew's College - Revoked
67. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited - Revoked
68. Manchester International College - Revoked
69. Manchester Trinity College Limited - Revoked 
70. Metro College of Management Sciences - ( revoked MARCH 2015)
71. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology - Revoked 
72. Meridan Business School - (revoked  MAY 2015)
73. North West College Reading - Revoked
74. Newcastle Academy of Business and Technology -  (revoked JAN 2015)
75. Opal College (revoked FEB 2015)
76. Pharez UK Ltd Trading As Pharez College - Revoked 
77. Pinnacle College - (revoked Feb 2015)
78. Queensbury College - Revoked
79. Radcliffe College - Revoked
80. Sanjari International College - Revoked
81. Shakespeare College - Revoked
82. Stanfords College UK Limited - Revoked
83. South London College - Revoked
84. Superior College London - Revoked 
85. Swarthmore College - revoked 
86. Thames College Berkshire - revoked
87. Unipro College London - (revoked JAN 2015) 
88. UK College of Business & Computing-UKCBC Ilford (JUNE 2015)
89. UK Business College - (revoked 24 Feb 2015)
90. UK Education Professional - revoked 28 Oct 2013
91. UK Business Academy - Revoked
92. UK Vocational Training College -Trading As UK College of Arts and Technology- Revoked
93. Vernon Community College - Revoked 
94. Vista Business College - revoked 2013
95. West George College - Revoked
96. West London Business College Ltd - Revoked
97. West London College of Business & Management Sciences (Manchester) - Revoked
98. West Link College - revoked May 2014 
99. Zaskin College (revoked March 2013) 

Highly Trusted status replaced

As per our posting of 8th March 2015, on changes to be made  by the Home Office/UKVI to various elements, we wish to remind you that the following have come into  effect as of April 2015.


*'Highly Trusted Sponsor status' has been removed and all education establishments that already have a Tier 4 sponsor licensed will simply be known to have 'Tier 4 Sponsor status'.

Every 12 months, these educational establishments will be required to pass a Basic compliance Assessment test.

To pass this Basic Compliance test, educational sponsors must have:

• a refusal rate of less than 10%
• an enrolment rate of at least 90%; and
• a course completion rate of at least 85%.

Should any educational establishment fail this assessment, it is very likely that their Tier 4 licence will be revoked.  They will have to prove that they fall within the discretionary assessment criteria (issued less than 50 CAS in the assessment period or are classed as an independent school)

A result of the changes also mean that if a licence is revoked, the UKVI can then refuse to allow the sponsor back onto the Sponsor register for up to 24 months.
 

*A-rated sponsor status' has been replaced by 'Probationary Sponsor status:  Any educational establishments that apply for a Tier 4 sponsor licence, if the license is approved they will be known as ‘Probationary Sponsors’ for the first 11 months.

Probationary Sponsors will then need to pass a new Basic Compliance Assessment, in order to become an approved Tier 4 Sponsor.


*The student visitor (SVV) and extended student visitor routes are now known as SHORT TERM STUDY ROUTES  which will sit in Part 3 of the Immigration Rules alongside other study provisions.

The reason for this is to make the system clearer for those whose main purpose for coming to the UK is to study a short course up to six months or 11 months in the case of adults studying longer English language courses.

Tier 4 Revoked Colleges - List updated JUNE 2015

Our last listing on SUSPENDED and REVOKED Tier 4 License colleges in the UK  dated 20th May 2015, has been updated as below - please note if you do not see your college listed here and you do have proof that they have been suspended or revoked,  feel free to submit the information to  us at britishvisas@gmail.com


KNOWN SUSPENDED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 4th JUNE 2015
(list updated 10th June 2015)

1. Aldgate College
2. Bucks New University (suspended 9th March 2015)
3. Essex College of Management and IT Ltd
4. London College of Business Management and Information Technology
5. London School of Business and Accountancy
6. Middlesex College of Law Ltd
7. Oxford College of London
8. St. Patrick's International College (suspended 19th Feb 2015)
9. Sharp Development Solutions Ltd - Trading As SDS College London
10. The City College
11. University Tutorial College

 
KNOWN REVOKED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 4th JUNE 2015
(list updated 10th June 2015)

As always, we do advise, if you are a student at any of the colleges below, do not wait for the 60day letter - start to apply to a new, recognised, TIER 4, education provider as soon as possible.

1. 360 GSP College - revoked
2. 14 Stars (London) Ltd - Trading As European College for Higher Education - Revoked
3. Alpha College - Revoked
4. Alpha Meridian College - Revoked 
5. Apex College - (revoked FEB 2015)
6. APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading As Pitman Training Centre Peterborough - Revoked 
7. Barking & Dagenham College (revoked)
8. Birmingham Informatics College Ltd - Revoked
9. Birmingham Institute of Education Training and Technology - Revoked
10. Blake Hall College - Revoked
11. Bradford College of Management - Surrendered
12. Bradford Metropolitan College - Revoked
13. Bradford Regional College – Revoked
14. British Institute of Technology & E-Commerce
15. Bristol College of Accountancy - Revoked
16. Britain College - Surrendered
17. CAHRO Academy Ltd - Revoked
18. Central College London (a division of Huawen Institute) - Revoked
19. Central College of Studies (CCS) - Revoked
20. Central Cranbrook College - Revoked
21. Citizen 2000 Education Institute - Revoked
22. City College Nottingham - Revoked
23. City of London Academy - Revoked
24. College of Advanced Studies - Revoked
25. College of East London - Revoked
26. College of Excellence Limited - Revoked
27. Cranford College - (revoked 1st May 2015)
28. Docklands Academy - (revoked March 2015)
29. Docklands College - Revoked
30. East End Computing & Business College -( revoked MARCH 2015)
31. Empress College - Surrendered
32. Essex College Ltd - Revoked
33. Eynsford College - Revoked
34. Forbes Graduate School - Revoked 
35. Futures College -  ( revoked FEB 2015)
36. Finance & Technology Institute - revoked
37. Grafton College - surrendered March 2015
38. Global Vision College-revoked
39. Hammersmith Management College - Revoked
40. Helios International College - Revoked 
41. Hendon Business School (revoked)
42. IIM Bedford - Revoked
43. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies - Revoked
44. Katherine and King's College of London - Revoked 
45. Kent College of Business & Computing (revoked Sept 2014)
46. Kinnaird College - Revoked 
47. Leyton College- revoked
48. LIT LON Ltd - Revoked
49. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) - Surrendered
50. London Churchill College - Surrendered 
51. London College of Advanced Management ( revoked JAN 2015)
52. London College of Finance and Accounting - Revoked
53. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies -Surrendered
54. London Corporate College - Revoked
55. London Educators Limited - Revoked
56. London Empire Academy - Surrendered
57. London Metropolitan College – Revoked
58. London Premier College Limited - Revoked
59. London Regal College - Revoked 
60. London School of Commerce & IT - revoked
61. London Academy of Management Sciences - revoked
62. London School of Advanced Studies - Revoked 
63. London School of Commerce & IT (revoked)
64. London School of Marketing - Trading As LS Business School - Revoked
65. London School of Technology - Revoked
66. London St. Andrew's College - Revoked
67. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited - Revoked
68. Manchester International College - Revoked
69. Manchester Trinity College Limited - Revoked 
70. Metro College of Management Sciences - ( revoked MARCH 2015)
71. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology - Revoked
72. North West College Reading - Revoked
73. Newcastle Academy of Business and Technology -  (revoked JAN 2015)
74. Opal College (revoked FEB 2015)
75. Pharez UK Ltd Trading As Pharez College - Revoked 
76. Pinnacle College - (revoked Feb 2015)
77. Queensbury College - Revoked
78. Radcliffe College - Revoked
79. Sanjari International College - Revoked
80. Shakespeare College - Revoked
81. Stanfords College UK Limited - Revoked
82. South London College - Revoked
83. Superior College London - Revoked 
84. Swarthmore College - revoked
85. Thames College Berkshire - revoked
86. Unipro College London - (revoked JAN 2015) 
87. UK Business College - (revoked 24 Feb 2015)
88. UK Education Professional - revoked 28 Oct 2013
89. UK Business Academy - Revoked
90. UK Vocational Training College -Trading As UK College of Arts and Technology- Revoked
91. Vernon Community College - Revoked 
92. Vista Business College - revoked 2013
93. West George College - Revoked
94. West London Business College Ltd - Revoked
95. West London College of Business & Management Sciences (Manchester) - Revoked
96. West Link College - revoked May 2014 
97. Zaskin College (revoked March 2013) 

UK Tier 4 Revoked Colleges up to April 2015

The following is an update to our last posting on 12th March 2015.

As you can see there are new additions more so to the REVOKED list.

We are seeing some colleges being revoked straight away without being on the suspension list.  There may be more of this to come.

SUSPENDED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 28th April 2015
(note:  List UPDATED as at 20th May 2015)

1. Aldgate College
2. Bucks New University (suspended 9th March 2015)
3. Cranford College
4. Essex College of Management and IT Ltd
5. London College of Business Management and Information Technology
6. London School of Business and Accountancy
7. Middlesex College of Law Ltd
8. Oxford College of London
9. St. Patrick's International College (suspended 19th Feb 2015)
10. Sharp Development Solutions Ltd - Trading As SDS College London
11. The City College
12. University Tutorial College

 
REVOKED - as of 28th APRIL 2015
(note:  List UPDATED as at 20th May 2015)

Students at these colleges should have started receiving their Curtailment / 60day letters from UKVI.  We do advise, if you are a student at any of the colleges below, do not wait for the 60day letter - start to apply to a new, recognised, TIER 4, education provider as soon as possible.

1. 14 Stars (London) Ltd - Trading As European College for Higher Education - Revoked
2. Alpha College - Revoked
3. Alpha Meridian College - Revoked 
4. Apex College - (revoked FEB 2015)
5. APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading As Pitman Training Centre Peterborough - Revoked 
6. Barking & Dagenham College (revoked)
7. Birmingham Informatics College Ltd - Revoked
8. Birmingham Institute of Education Training and Technology - Revoked
9. Blake Hall College - Revoked
10. Bradford College of Management - Surrendered
11. Bradford Metropolitan College - Revoked
12. Bradford Regional College – Revoked
13. British Institute of Technology & E-Commerce
14. Bristol College of Accountancy - Revoked
15. Britain College - Surrendered
16. CAHRO Academy Ltd - Revoked
17. Central College London (a division of Huawen Institute) - Revoked
18. Central College of Studies (CCS) - Revoked
19. Central Cranbrook College - Revoked
20. Citizen 2000 Education Institute - Revoked
21. City College Nottingham - Revoked
22. City of London Academy - Revoked
23. College of Advanced Studies - Revoked
24. College of East London - Revoked
25. College of Excellence Limited - Revoked
26. Docklands College - Revoked
27. East End Computing & Business College -( revoked MARCH 2015)
28. Empress College - Surrendered
29. Essex College Ltd - Revoked
30. Eynsford College - Revoked
31. Forbes Graduate School - Revoked 
32. Futures College -  ( revoked FEB 2015)
33. Global Vision College-revoked
34. Hammersmith Management College - Revoked
35. Helios International College - Revoked 
36. Hendon Business School (revoked)
37. IIM Bedford - Revoked
38. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies - Revoked
39. Katherine and King's College of London - Revoked
40. Kinnaird College - Revoked 
41. Leyton College- revoked
42. LIT LON Ltd - Revoked
43. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) - Surrendered
44. London Churchill College - Surrendered 
45. London College of Advanced Management ( revoked JAN 2015)
46. London College of Finance and Accounting - Revoked
47. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies -Surrendered
48. London Corporate College - Revoked
49. London Educators Limited - Revoked
50. London Empire Academy - Surrendered
51. London Metropolitan College – Revoked
52. London Premier College Limited - Revoked
53. London Regal College - Revoked
54. London School of Advanced Studies - Revoked 
55. London School of Commerce & IT (revoked)
56. London School of Marketing - Trading As LS Business School - Revoked
57. London School of Technology - Revoked
58. London St. Andrew's College - Revoked
59. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited - Revoked
60. Manchester International College - Revoked
61. Manchester Trinity College Limited - Revoked 
62. Metro College of Management Sciences - ( revoked MARCH 2015)
63. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology - Revoked
64. North West College Reading - Revoke
65. Newcastle Academy of Business and Technology -  (revoked JAN 2015)
66. Opal College (revoked FEB 2015)
67. Pharez UK Ltd Trading As Pharez College - Revoked 
68. Pinnacle College - (revoked Feb 2015)
69. Queensbury College - Revoked
70. Radcliffe College - Revoked
71. Sanjari International College - Revoked
72. Shakespeare College - Revoked
73. Stanfords College UK Limited - Revoked
74. South London College - Revoked
75. Superior College London - Revoked 
76. Thames College Berkshire - revoked
77. Unipro College London - (revoked JAN 2015)
78. UK Business Academy - Revoked
79. UK Vocational Training College -Trading As UK College of Arts and Technology- Revoked
80. Vernon Community College - Revoked
81. West George College - Revoked
82. West London Business College Ltd - Revoked
83. West London College of Business & Management Sciences (Manchester) - Revoked
84. London School of Commerce & IT - revoked

Applying for UK Visa- Additional Health surcharge required

From the 6th April 2015, with few exemptions, most persons applying for a visa of 6 months or more  will be required to pay an additional surcharge called an IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE.


The health surcharge will be paid by non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who apply to come to the UK to work, study or join family for a period of more than 6 months.

It will also be paid by non-EEA nationals who are already in the UK and apply to extend their stay after 6 April 2015.

THE COST

• £150 per year for students
• £200 per year for all other temporary visa and immigration applications made overseas and in the UK. 

Dependents will generally pay the same amount as the main applicant.

Those who have paid the surcharge or are exempt will be able to access the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as a permanent UK resident. Payment may be required for some services such as dental treatment and eye tests.

When you make your immigration application you will be asked some questions to see if you need to pay the health surcharge or if you’re exempt.

You must pay the health surcharge before you finish your immigration application.

If the surcharge is required, but not paid, the application will be refused or treated as invalid and rejected.

If an immigration application is unsuccessful the surcharge will be refunded.

The surcharge payable will cover the entire period of permission to stay in the UK. For example, a person coming to the UK as a sponsored skilled migrant (Tier 2) will be required to pay the charge in full and upfront for the three year period

Anyone coming to the UK on a visitor visa, for example as a tourist, or as an EEA national, does not need to pay the surcharge. However they will remain directly chargeable for hospital treatment.

Regulation changes will mean that from April 2015, non EEA visitors who use the NHS will be charged 150% of the cost of any medical treatment they receive.

It is therefore recommended that this group possesses adequate travel and health insurance.

Update - Revoked and Suspended Colleges UK - March 2015

The UKVI (Home Office) are showing that they are coming down hard on colleges AND universities not following the rules and guidelines as required when accepting Tier 4 visa students.

The following is an update and we are certain there will be more confirmed suspend & revoked to come in the next few weeks.

SUSPENDED Tier 4 Sponsors as of 12th March 2015

1. Aldgate College
2. Apex College
3. Bucks New University (suspended 9th March 2015)
4. Cranford College
5. Essex College of Management and IT Ltd
6. Futures College
7. London College of Advanced Management
8. London College of Business Management and Information Technology
9. London School of Business and Accountancy
10. Middlesex College of Law Ltd
11. Newcastle Academy of Business and Technology
12. Opal College
13. Oxford College of London
14. St. Patrick's International College (suspended 19th Feb 2015)
15. Sharp Development Solutions Ltd - Trading As SDS College London
16. The City College
17. University Tutorial College

 
REVOKED - as of 12th MARCH 2015

1. 14 Stars (London) Ltd - Trading As European College for Higher Education - Revoked
2. Alpha College - Revoked
3. Alpha Meridian College - Revoked
4. APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading As Pitman Training Centre Peterborough - Revoked
5. Birmingham Informatics College Ltd - Revoked
6. Birmingham Institute of Education Training and Technology - Revoked
7. Blake Hall College - Revoked
8. Bradford College of Management - Surrendered
9. Bradford Metropolitan College - Revoked
10. Bradford Regional College – Revoked
11. British Institute of Technology & E-Commerce
12. Bristol College of Accountancy - Revoked
13. Britain College - Surrendered
14. CAHRO Academy Ltd - Revoked
15. Central College London (a division of Huawen Institute) - Revoked
16. Central College of Studies (CCS) - Revoked
17. Central Cranbrook College - Revoked
18. Citizen 2000 Education Institute - Revoked
19. City College Nottingham - Revoked
20. City of London Academy - Revoked
21. College of Advanced Studies - Revoked
22. College of East London - Revoked
23. College of Excellence Limited - Revoked
24. Docklands College - Revoked
25. Empress College - Surrendered
26. Essex College Ltd - Revoked
27. Eynsford College - Revoked
28. Forbes Graduate School - Revoked
29. Hammersmith Management College - Revoked
30. Helios International College - Revoked
31. IIM Bedford - Revoked
32. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies - Revoked
33. Katherine and King's College of London - Revoked
34. Kinnaird College - Revoked
35. LIT LON Ltd - Revoked
36. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) - Surrendered
37. London Churchill College - Surrendered
38. London College of Finance and Accounting - Revoked
39. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies -Surrendered
40. London Corporate College - Revoked
41. London Educators Limited - Revoked
42. London Empire Academy - Surrendered
43. London Metropolitan College – Revoked
44. London Premier College Limited - Revoked
45. London Regal College - Revoked
46. London School of Advanced Studies - Revoked
47. London School of Marketing - Trading As LS Business School - Revoked
48. London School of Technology - Revoked
49. London St. Andrew's College - Revoked
50. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited - Revoked
51. Manchester International College - Revoked
52. Manchester Trinity College Limited - Revoked
53. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology - Revoked
54. North West College Reading - Revoked
55. Pharez UK Ltd Trading As Pharez College - Revoked
56. Queensbury College - Revoked
57. Radcliffe College - Revoked
58. Sanjari International College - Revoked
59. Shakespeare College - Revoked
60. Stanfords College UK Limited - Revoked
61. South London College - Revoked
62. Superior College London - Revoked
63. UK Business Academy - Revoked
64. UK Vocational Training College -Trading As UK College of Arts and Technology- Revoked
65. Vernon Community College - Revoked
66. West George College - Revoked
67. West London Business College Ltd - Revoked

Changes to UK Immigration rules and guidlelines from APRIL 2015

The UKVI (Home Office) will be making numerous changes from APRIL 2015.

Among these changes to take place will be:

*Changing the names of the ratings which sponsors can hold in Tier 4. 'Highly Trusted Sponsor status' will be replaced by 'Tier 4 Sponsor status' and 'A-rated sponsor status' will be replaced by 'Probationary Sponsor status'. This change in terminology better reflects the nature of the ratings held by different Tier 4 sponsors.


*Streamline the existing 15 visitor routes down to four. The changes will help simplify the visitor routes for businesses and leisure travellers, whilst the rebranding of the student visitor route into a short-term student route will make it clearer for people who want to study on short term courses.


*The student visitor (SVV) and extended student visitor routes are being rebranded as short term study routes which will sit in Part 3 of the Immigration Rules alongside other study provisions. The reason for this is to make the system clearer for those whose main purpose for coming to the UK is to study a short course up to six months,or 11 months in the case of adults studying longer English language courses.

*Removing the ability of Tier 1 General migrants to switch into the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route, unless they have already established a UK business before the date of the changes (6 April) and they have the required funding.

*Amending the Shortage Occupation List following a partial review by the independent Migration Advisory Committee. Paramedics, and overhead linesworkers (in the energy industry) will now be included on the list, while special neonatal nurses have been removed.

*Waive the Tier 2 'cooling-off period' for short-term grants of 3 months or less. This will give firms the ability to sponsor interns and bring them back to the UK for a permanent job within a year. This change will also help global firms who need to send some staff to the UK for short periods each year.

*Updating annual minimum salary thresholds for Tier 2 and appropriate salary rates for individual occupations. This is part of salary updates that we make on an annual basis.

These and aseveral other changes and guidlines will be on stream from as early as 6th April 201.

New English Language Test requirements from APRIL 2015

The UKVI (Home Office), recently announced a review on acceptable English Language tests.

There will only be two English Tests that will be acceptable:

1. Trinity College London
2. International English Language Testing System  (IELTS)

This comes into place from 6th April 2015


English Language tests taken before 6th April 2015, will only be valid until 5th November 2015 - but only if the test is listed on the Transitional Approved list.

CLICK HERE to view the Transitional Approved List of English tests.

You are required to check and make sure your English Language test is on the approved Transitional list.

Be advised that many Highly Trusted, Tier 4 registered colleges from now, will be requiring you to show  the approved test from Trinity College London or IELTS  and will not be accepting any other test.

This is their right as individual colleges determine their own admissions policies in addition to the UKVI guidelines and regulations.

It will be in your best interest to update your English Language test.

Click here for the list or approved centres and English language tests and required scoring from 6th April 2015.


You don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you can show you’re a national of one of the following countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

OR have an academic qualification that was taught in a majority English speaking country and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelors degree.

UKVI (Home Office) have re-started College suspensions - 2015

Over the December holiday period, the Home Office (UKVI), paused on sending out curtailment letters and processing revocations from all indications.

To date 1st March 2015, there are 21 Colleges listed as being SUSPENDED.

The twenty first college being St. Patrick's International College, who received their suspension for both Tier 4 and Tier 2 licenses on 19th February 2015 for various breaches in Compliance and from the article on Times Higher Education, they have also seemingly breached the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulations - click here and here to read more on this breaking story.

This signals that the Home Office (UKVI), have re-started their process on inspecting Tier 4 licensed colleges.

One expects to see further Tier 4 license suspensions and revocations happening shortly.

A reminder as to the colleges still listed as SUSPENDED:  They are currently unable to enrol Tier 4 students or issue CAS Letters.


If you are a student at any of these colleges listed below, we do advise that you start your search now for a registered Highly Trusted Tier 4 provider of your relevant course.  Do not wait until the last moment.  Make sure you have ALL relevant documents from your current school (progression letter, attendance letters, transcripts, recommendations, certificates, etc)

1. 14 Stars (London) Ltd  - Trading As European College for Higher Education
2. Aldgate College
3. Alpha College
4. Apex College
5. Cranford College
6. Essex College of Management and IT Ltd
7. Futures College
8. IIM Bedford
9. London College of Advanced Management
10. London College of Business Management and Information Technology
11. London School of Advanced Studies
12. London School of Business and Accountancy
13. Middlesex College of Law Ltd
14. Newcastle Academy of Business and Technology
15. Opal College
16. Oxford College of London
17. St. Patricks International College (suspended 19th Feb 2015)
18. Sharp Development Solutions Ltd - Trading As SDS College London
19. South London College
20. The City College
21. University Tutorial College

 For advice on applying to genuine Highly Trusted Tier 4 registered colleges click here

Closures, Curtailment and other Tier 4 related information

As many of you know, the UKVI (Home Office), took action and is still taking action against colleges and universities that break the Tier 4 sponsor rules.

Please take note of the following:


Glyndwr University is only able to issue CAS for their Wrexham campus and they have very strict controls over their London campus. They must also close their Elephant and Castle campus by the summer of 2015.  In other words, if you wish to apply to this university, you must be willing to go to Wrexham.


COURSE INFORMATION TOOL (CIT):
The CIT contains details of courses that licensed Tier 4 sponsors are offering to students who wish to find a new sponsor, in order to continue their studies in the UK.

Students of some revoked colleges may have received a letter with a unique code which allows them to find a new approved Tier 4 sponsor via the special link given.

This special feature will expire and no longer be available from 23rd March 2015.

Please make sure you have taken all the details of the relevant colleges/universities you may be interested in applying to.



CURTAILMENT LETTERS (60day letters)
Students who have been studying at an institution that has surrendered its licence or had its licence revoked do not need a curtailment letter from the Home Office in order to find a new sponsor.

Sponsors wishing to offer a course place to such a student do not need to see a curtailment letter before they issue a CAS.
 

PASSPORT / DOCUMENTS still with UKVI (Home Office)
Many students who have applied for extensions of the Tier 4 visas and were enroled to a revoked college, have had the UKVI retain their documents.

In most cases, the UKVI would have sent you a letter and a copy of your documents in order for you to show your new potential Tier 4 sponsor as proof that your documents are with the Home Office.

If you have not yet received this letter and your documents are with UKVI, you are advised to ensure you get these as soon as possible or have proof that your documents were given to and are still with Home Office.   In this circumstance it is best you hire an immigration solicitor.

For advice on applying to a new Tier 4 college, please click here.


Please note:
Colleges / Universities in the UK who are on the Highly Trusted Tier 4 sponsor list are only interested in genuine students.

They will not be taking your application further if you cannot show progression, do not have the English language qualifications,  do not know the name of the course you wish to study at their school or if one of your questions is 'how much is your CAS'.

Revoked Tier 4 Colleges as at Jan 2015

The following is the complete list up to 6th January 2015 of colleges REVOKED / SURRENDERED from the Tier 4 sponsor list.

Please make sure, if you are a student at any of these institutions listed below, that you have either found a legitimate, new Tier 4 sponsor or you have left or are making preparations to leave the UK.

You can find information on Curtailment letters and the Course Information Tool provided by UKVI by clicking here.

1.  Alpha College - Revoked

2.  Alpha Meridian College - Revoked

3.  APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading As Pitman Training Centre Peterborough - Revoked

4.  Birmingham Informatics College Ltd - Revoked

5.  Birmingham Institute of Education Training and Technology - Revoked

6.  Blake Hall College - Revoked

7.  Bradford College of Management - Surrendered

8.  Bradford Metropolitan College - Revoked

9.  Bradford Regional College - Revoked

10. Bristol College of Accountancy - Revoked

11. Britain College - Surrendered

12. CAHRO Academy Ltd - Revoked

13. Central College London (a division of Huawen Institute) - Revoked

14. Central College of Studies (CCS) - Revoked

15. Central Cranbrook College - Revoked

16. Citizen 2000 Education Institute - Revoked

17. City College Nottingham - Revoked

18. City of London Academy - Revoked

19. College of Advanced Studies - Revoked

20. College of East London - Revoked

21. College of Excellence Limited - Revoked

22. Docklands College - Revoked

23. Empress College - Surrendered

24. Essex College Ltd - Revoked

25. Eynsford College - Revoked

26. Forbes Graduate School - Revoked

27. Hammersmith Management College - Revoked

28. Helios International College - Revoked

29. IIM Bedford - Revoked

30. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies - Revoked

31. Katherine and King's College of London - Revoked

32. Kinnaird College - Revoked

33. LIT LON Ltd - Revoked

34. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) - Surrendered

35. London Churchill College - Surrendered

36. London College of Finance and Accounting - Revoked

37. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies -Surrendered

38. London Corporate College - Revoked

39. London Educators Limited - Revoked

40. London Empire Academy - Surrendered

41. London Metropolitan College – Revoked

42. London Premier College Limited - Revoked

43. London Regal College - Revoked

44. London School of Advanced Studies - Revoked

45. London School of Marketing - Trading As LS Business School - Revoked

46. London School of Technology - Revoked

47. London St. Andrew's College - Revoked

48. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited - Revoked

49. Manchester International College - Revoked

50. Manchester Trinity College Limited - Revoked

51. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology - Revoked

52. North West College Reading - Revoked

53. Pharez UK Ltd Trading As Pharez College - Revoked

54. Queensbury College - Revoked

55. Radcliffe College - Revoked

56. Sanjari International College - Revoked

57. Shakespeare College - Revoked

58. Stanfords College UK Limited - Revoked

59. South London College - Revoked

60. Superior College London - Revoked

61. UK Business Academy - Revoked

62. UK Vocational Training College -Trading As UK College of Arts and Technology - Revoked

63. Vernon Community College - Revoked

64. West George College - Revoked

65. West London Business College Ltd - Revoked

UKVI Fact Sheet updated 6th January 2015, please note, further institutions may be added to this list in due course.