All About Education: UNITED KINGDOM VISAS AND IMMIGRATION UPDATES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

UNITED KINGDOM VISAS AND IMMIGRATION UPDATES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

This article will look into the latest and the most recent updates regarding the UKVI (United Kingdom Visas and Immigration) and the key points regarding Tier 4 guidance.

IMPORTANT KEY UPDATES-

· Graduate Route is confirmed for the 2021 summer students batch and after that.

· ATAS opens as of 1^st June

· Latest statistics for Tier 4 published

· VACs had been closed

GRADUATE ROUTE

The graduate route is set to launch in 2021 summer. More information about the route will be published with time. It will be beneficial for those students who complete their graduation in the summer of 2021. This may include students who are already studying

TIER 4 STATISTICS

The Tier 4 Statistics was published on 21^st May ending in March 2020

· The year ending March 2020 witnessed the granting of 299,023 sponsored study visas, with a 23% increase more than the year ending March 2019

· According to World statistics, after China, India is the 2^nd TOP NATIONALITY granted sponsored Tier 4 UK Visas.

· Continuing an increasing trend since 2016, Indian Nationals saw a notable hike in the number of Tier 4 Visas granted (doubling up 136% to 49,844) compared to the year ending March 2019. This concluded the largest number of grants provided to Indian students since the year ending with September 2011.

VAC UPDATE

· As globalization in terms of travel and health services began to open up, UKVI is beginning a phased approach to resume its services (assuming the local conditions allow); all the services would not be available immediately at full strength.

· UKVI services will gradually open in places where the local conditions and restrictions allow and VACs will be opened once their customers and staff are protected and when overall it is safe to do so. Although, UKVI services will not be reopening where travel and medical restrictions are still mandated by the Government.

· Returning of Customer passports and completion of applications will be focused on as soon as VACS reopens. However, due to COVID restrictions, there might be slight delays to normal service standards for the applications, which will be completed as soon as the relevant VACs reopen. Returning of passports will start in the first week after reopening. Delays in delivery and completion to be dealt with patience the COVID pandemic requires even us to adapt to the new changes.

· The main focus of UKVI will be to deliver services safely, soundly and effectively. All visa customers should be aware of the health precautions that needs to be taken and everyone, irrespective of their nationality or visa status, should check GOV.UK to educate themselves about these new measures before travelling. Your patience as we begin to resume our services will be duly appreciated.

ATAS

· Now open as of the date 1^st June

· The current rules continue the apply on the requirements to curate an ATAS certificate

· Applications to Foreign and Commonwealth office can be made for obtaining a new ATAS certificate.

TIER 4- GUIDANCE

The Tier 4 Guidance has been published on GOV.UK on immigration provisions for students and individuals affected by global travel restrictions associated with COVID-19. Guidance on issues that affect international students are listed below-

· COVID helpline cells

· CAS Validity

· Students whose 30 days Visa has expired

· Students in UK

· SELT Providers and VAC related information

· Extending visas for UK customers

CAS VALIDITY WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED

· The Tier 4 applications can still be using previously issues CAS. The Home Office will take proper pragmatic approach to consider and taken into account applications to study courses with significantly different start dates to the one stated on the expired CAS.

· If the course date has changed, if the CAS has not been marked as ‘used’ or ‘expired’, rather it is ‘assigned’, the sponsors must update the new course start date, if known. CAS will be declared as normal when the case is decided.

· When the CAS has become invalid because it has reached its expiry date and the student is unable to travel due to COVID-19, the Home Office will consider such exceptions and continue to consider the CAS with a new visa application. The CAS will be accepted if the caseworker is convinced with the student’s reason of not using it in an application or travel to the UK was due to COVID-19

STUDENTS WHOSE 30 DAYs VISA HAS EXPIRED

· Students whose visa has been expired, can now request for a replacement visa which will be revised and will be free of charge till the end of this year.

· To make this request, the students must reach out to the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. The request must include the student’s-

1. Name

2. Nationality

3. Date of Birth

4. GWF Reference Number

5. REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA- Subject line

· Students will then be contacted as soon as the centers are open and start arranging for replacement visas.

· While the Coronavirus measures are in place, the students will not be penalized for being unable to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This will be in place till the end of 2020.

EXTENDING VISAS FOR UK CUSTOMERS

· Any individual who is in the United Kingdom legally and whose visa had expired between 24 January and 31^st July 2020, or is going to expire, will not be considered as an overstayer due to travel restrictions because of COVID-19. Infact, a visa will be extended to 31^st July, if an individual is unable to leave the UK due to travel restrictions.

· Students and Individuals must update their visa records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team if their visa is expiring and are not planning to stay in the UK.

STUDENTS IN THE UK

· New students who have taken Tier 4 visa but have been unable to travel to the UK due to the COVID pandemic are allowed to pursue distance education, without their sponsorship getting cancelled. Same applies for students who have not yet applied for visa but wish to pursue courses through online distance learning.

· The immediate above will start to apply until 31^st July, by which date they will be reviewed.

· Tier 4 students (work rights) whose sponsorship has been withdrawn will be considered to be in vacation time and will be allowed to work full time during this period.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VACs and SELT providers overseas.

· Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UK visa application centres in India will remain closed.

· For English Test Centres, do visit the IELTS website, the Pearson Test of English Website for more information.

· As soon as the VACs are reopened, concession related to local availability of English language tests will be reviewed for students recruited by Tier 4 sponsors for English courses.

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