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'.

Further Update on Tier 4 Suspended Colleges - SEPTEMBER 2014

As you will see from the list below, some of the colleges who were listed as 'license suspended' in the previous update (August) have now had their Tier 4 License completely revoked and some new colleges/university have joined the various lists.

Please see below for the latest list released 3:00pm, 10th SEPTEMBER 2014, of UK based colleges / universities that have had their TIER 4 licenses, CAS allocations re-instated, revoked completely or suspended pending an investigation.

 The following Universities have had their TIER 4 license RE-INSTATED-can enrol and recruit TIER 4 students

   1.       University of West London (CAS allocations reinstated on 3rd September)



 The following Colleges have had their TIER 4 license RE-INSTATED-can enrol and recruit TIER 4 students

1. Bloomsbury International UK
2. Finance and Business Training LTD
3. LSBF (London School of Business and Finance)
4. Studio Cambridge

 


The following colleges have either had their TIER 4  license completely REVOKED or surrendered (updated to 10th Sept)  -  new additions marked in red

1. Alpha Meridian College -Revoked
2. APS Computer Solutions Ltd Trading as Pitman Training Centre, Peterborough – Revoked (new to list)
3. Birmingham Institute of Education Training & Technology –Revoked
4. Bradford College of Management -– Surrendered
5. Bradford Metropolitan College–Revoked
6. Britain College –Surrendered
7. Central College of Studies (CCS) –Revoked (new to list)
8. Central Cranbrook College –Revoked  (new to list)
9. Citizen 2000 Education institute –Revoked  (new to list)
10. College of Advanced Studies -–Revoked  (new to list)
11. College of Excellence Limited–Revoked
12. Eynsford College -Revoked
13. Essex College Ltd –Revoked (new to list)
14. Hammersmith Management College –Revoked
15. Katherine and King's College of London –Revoked
16. Kinnaird College –Revoked
17. London Academy of Management and Business (LAMB) –Surrendered  (new to list)
18. London School of Marketing Trading as LS Business School (new to list)
19. London School of Technology –Revoked
20. London St. Andrew's College –Revoked (new to list)
21. Midlands Academy of Business and Technology–Revoked
22. Pharez UK Ltd Trading as Pharez College –Revoked  (new to list)
23. Queensbury College–Revoked
24. Shakespeare College–Revoked
25. Stanfords College UK Ltd –Revoked
26. Superior College London –Revoked
27. UK Business Academy –Revoked
28. Vernon Community College –Revoked  (new to list)
29. West London Business College - Revoked

 
 The following colleges have had their TIER 4  license SUSPENDED (updated to 10th Sept)  - some colleges from the August list are still on this list as they are awaiting a final decision by UKVI) new additions marked in red

1. Alpha College
2. Birmingham Informatics College
3. Blake Hall College
4. Bradford Regional College
5. Bristol College of Accountancy
6. CAHRO Academy Ltd
7. Central College London (Huawen Institute Division)
8. City College
9. City of London Academy
10. College of East London
11. Cranford College
12. Forbes Graduate School
13. Helios International College
14. IIM Bedford
15. Interlink College of Technology and Business Studies
16. LIT LON Ltd
17. London College of Business Management and Computing Studies
18. London College of Finance and Accounting
19. London Corporate College
20. London Educators Limited
21. London Empire Academy
22. London Metropolitan College
23. London Premier College Limited
24. London Regal College
25. London School of Advanced Studies
26. Manchester College of Management Sciences Limited
27. Manchester International College
28. Manchester Trinity College Limited
29. North West College Reading
30. Radcliffe College
31. Sanjari International College
32. South London College
33. UK Vocational Training College (Trading as UK College of Arts and Technology)
34. West George College

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & ADVICE click here

Countries Exempt from English Language tests

Most applicants are now required to meet the B1 level requirements regarding speaking and listening in the English language. The following three qualifications are recommended:

• English language qualifications that cover speaking and listening at level B1 or higher.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The qualification needs to be listed and recognised by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations).
• Applicants who live in Scotland can use the National Qualification is ESOL at Scottish Qualifications Framework levels 4, 5 or 6.

If you are a national of one of these countries, you automatically meet the English language requirement:

• 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
• the USA

Additionally, any person who holds a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree that was taught using the English language will not be required to take a further test.

However, the qualification must be recognised by UK NARIC as meeting the standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK.

International Students - Can you afford £7200 maintenance to UKBA?

Did you know that all colleges and universities have to be highly trusted by April 2012.
Is your college Highly Trusted? 

New Student Visa rules require you to progress in course your levels.  We can assist in finding the right course to meet the rules.

New rules have come into effect as of April 2011.  You can lose established presence and be required to show UKBA £7200 in maintenance?  Do you have this amount PLUS any outstanding college or university fees in your account for 30 consecutive days?

 

You will have to show £7200 plus any outstanding fees if....

A.  You change college before finishing your first course

B.  You make a mistake on your application form ( or )

C.  You become illegal

Contact us now to schedule your appointment so we can advise you on the best options for you  and assist in filling out your Student Visa application so there are NO mistakes.

 

Remember ONE mistake and your form will be refused, you will have to send a fresh application, pay the fee again AND show £7200 plus outstanding fees in an account for 30 consecutive days.

Post Study Work Visas

Please remember that the visa category known as Post Study Work (PSW) closes 6 April 2012 
(Last applications to reach UKBA no later than 5PM on the 5th April 2012)

The Tier 1 (Post-study work) category allows the UK to retain the most able international (non-European) graduates who have studied here.

During your permission to stay under Tier 1 (Post-study work), you can look for work without needing to have a sponsor.

If you are in your final year at University or your degree course , contact us NOW for a consultation.

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?

Welcome to British Visas

Our aim is to make your transition/life to and in the UK much easier.

We will be providing you with the most up to date and relevant information regarding the visa you are interested in - including Student visas, Appeals,  Tier 2, Asylum, Fiancé & Marriage and much more.

Our staff can also assist in placing International Students at registered, recognised Highly Trusted Universities.

If you are already in the United Kingdom under a visa, we can assist you when the time comes for your visa renewal.

Our fees are competitive and we explore possibilities and the best outcome for our clients.

Consultations cost less than £200.00 for the initial briefing (costing on a case by case basis) and can be deducted from your overall fee should we be taking your case forward.

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.

We look forward to assisting you with all your UK visa needs.