Press Notice issued by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills
www.dius.gov.uk

Any college recruiting students from abroad will in future need to be registered on a new Home Office Sponsors’ Register. To qualify for the register they will have to show they have been accredited by an approved body. This will demonstrate that they are a genuine education provider and prevent any acting as a front for the entry of bogus students or illegal immigrants to the country. The new rules are part of Britain’s new Points Based System (PBS) for managing migration.

(more…)

Today the Government has announced a mandatory new accreditation requirement for educational establishments that intend to bring in international students under the Points Based System (PBS) when it is introduced for students early in 2009.

(more…)

With effect from 2 May 2007, the British Embassy in Damascus will operate a restricted visa service, until further notice. This will allow reorganisation of the delivery of public services within the embassy.

To view the article in full, visit the News sections of the UKvisas website -
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Changes to immigration rules for students coming to the UK were announced on Wednesday 28th March. Their main impact will be to create a new student visitor route for those coming to study for a period of up to 6 months. However, these short-term students will not have the right to work or bring in dependents – entry clearance as a student will still have to be sought before travel to the UK for those wishing to benefit from these additional rights.

A new scheme which will enable international HEI students to stay on in the UK for a year to work after they have completed their studies was also announced by the Government. This scheme, to be introduced on the 1st May 2007, is intended to help cement the UK’s status as a top study destination for international students.

For further information about these changes, please see the attached documents -

studentrules2803a.pdf; studentrulechanges2803.pdf; new-international-graduates-scheme.pdf

English UK was commended in a debate in the House of Lords on Tuesday following a question from Lord Quirk asking the Government whether, in view of the Audit Commission report of January 2007, Crossing Borders, they will ensure good provision of English language teaching for immigrant workers. (more…)