College Revoked,What to do next

If your college has been revoked, or suspended it is advised that you start looking for a new Highly Trusted Tier 4 sponsor immediately.

Do not wait to receive the 60 day notification letter from UKVI as you may have missed the enrolment date of many colleges.

You will also need to have as many of your documents as possible to show to the Admissions and Compliance officers at the new college.

Our friends at  Student Recruitment International have created a check list of the documents you will need to provide.  CLICK HERE for more information.

Remember:
As we mentioned in a previous post: If you are at a college that has been suspended, IMMEDIATELY ask for and make sure you get - a copy of ALL your transcripts, progression letters, certificates, CAS letters and other relevant academic records.  This is to avoid being in a situation of not being able to access these documents should the UKVI take the decision to revoke the license of your college.

IF your college has already been revoked, keep requesting your document or copies of your documents.  They should not be charging you to receive these documents.  You have paid for your course and if it  has not been completed, most likely the revoked college owes you money.

Do seek the advice of a solicitor if the college refuses to hand over your documents.

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 

Immigration Solicitors we recommend

After discussions with various Immigration specialists, we can now fully recommend the following company.  

Their rates are reasonable, they are up front and honest about the possible outcome of your case and the initial consultation is less than £100.00.

So why not call them today.


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

The company handles the following:

*EEA Residence & Family
*Indefinite Leave to Remain
*Leave to Remain
*Same Day Visa Service
*Tier 1 Visa Applications
*Tier 2 Visa Applications
*Tier 4 Visa Applications (Student Visa)
*Tier 5 Visa Applications
*UK Entry Clearance Visas
* UK Visa Applications & Extensions
* Immigration Appeals to the Tribunal
* Immigration Judicial Review
* Human Rights & Asulym
* EEA Regulations - Human Rights & Residence

And will also be able to offer the following services:
*Divorce Petitions - Family Law
*Unfair Dismissal - Employment Law
*Unlawful Discrimination - Employment Law

When contacting them please mention you saw them on this blog - British Visas.

Tier 4 (Student Visa) & You...what you need to know

Firstly, we believe that many students will shortly be caught up in the new rules allowing Tier 4 students to only study THREE YEARS below degree level.


The new rules allow a maximum of EIGHT years as a Tier 4 student, with only THREE years below degree level. (Three years from the START of Tier 4)


Tier 4 replaced student visas in March 2009, and so the new Tier 4 rules start counting from March 2009.



SO HOW DOES THAT AFFECT A TIER 4 STUDENT?
Effectively, the new rules start counting from the day that a person was issued a Tier 4 visa AFTER March 2009. This means that each Tier 4 student has to be assessed individually, to work out how LONG they have already been on a course under Level 6, before they would breach the three year maximum.

UKBA when approving an application, will be calculating each individual case, looking at the date the person first was granted Tier 4, and if a students current application is to continue studying below Level 6, and will take the student beyond the maximum three years, that application will be REFUSED.

This means that many students that are on courses now, where their visas do not cover the entire course, are in danger of being refused extensions IF the further extension would take them past three years under Level 6. (When a student runs out of the three year period at Tier 4, they either HAVE to be on a level 6 course, or leave the UK)

So for example of a student became a Tier 4 student in March 2009, and is still on a level 3,4 or 5 course, and they apply for a further visa NOW to continue a level 5 course next year THEY WILL BE REFUSED. (As their three years below degree would be finished). 

If this applies to you, contact us now: 
EMAIL: britishvisas@gmail.com,   CALL / TEXT: 0794047 6082

FREE advice via email.

CAS Letters & Student Visa Renewals

Do you have your CAS letter (Confirmation of Acceptance) from your college?

Remember Tier 4 - Student Visas are on the Points Based system:
* 30 points for a Confirmation for Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
* 10 points for maintenance funds

Is your school/college HIGHLY TRUSTED?  or 'A' rated?  If not, your student visa renewal may encounter many problems and be refused -   If your college is ‘B’ rated or lower, they may be restricted to how many CAS letters they can give. 

You may not get a CAS letter at all.

Without a CAS letter from your college, you will not be able to apply for your visa or renewal.

Don't be a victim of a visa refusal or lack of CAS letter.

CALL OR TEXT US NOW:   0794047 6082

Consultation appointments for students are reasonably priced and will be deducted from your overall fee should we be taking your case forward, representing you at UKBA or any appeals or court.

Send us an email with the details of your case / requirements and we will respond to you with an appointment date and time if needed.

Update on UK Student Visas/Tier 4

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) is the department responsible for immigration law. The immigration law is published in a document called the Immigration rules and can be found under law and policy on the UKBA web site.

Colleges and Universities have to apply for a license (Sponsorship license) and for students it’s called a Tier 4 sponsorship license. UKBA then visit the college or University and give it a ‘rating ‘ with Highly trusted being the highest rating, followed by ‘A’ rating and ‘B’ rating.

FROM APRIL 2012 ONLY HIGHLY TRUSTED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WILL BE ABLE TO SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS……IT IS VITAL THEREFORE THAT YOU CHOOSE A REPUTABLE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THAT WILL STAY IN BUSINESS AFTER THIS IMPORTANT CHANGE. 

NB: Even Highly Trusted colleges and Universities can have their Highly Trusted status taken away, so we encourage all students who are choosing to study at a college rather than at a University to fully research the college, its academic record, and its reputation. 

Did you know that some publicly funded colleges can run courses with a work placement PLUS give you 10 hours a week work permission?

Did you know that you cannot work at all if you study at a private college? 

Did you know that you can work 20 hours a week if studying at a University?