| In the recent months, UK immigration has become one | | | | · Those on courses which last under six months will |
| of the most discussed topics. With new changes to | | | | not be allowed to bring dependants into the country, |
| the UK immigration laws being introduced on almost | | | | while the dependants of students on courses below |
| monthly basis the Tier 4 Student category of the | | | | degree level will not be allowed to work; |
| points-based system came again under the scrutiny of | | | | · Visas for courses below degree level with a work |
| the UK Border Agency. | | | | placement will only be approved if the institutions they |
| According to Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, 30% | | | | attend are on a new register. |
| of migrants who came into the UK entered on student | | | | As part of the new measures by 2011 the UK Border |
| visas. Vast majority of them enrolled on a short | | | | Agency wants to have in place a more sophisticated |
| course rather than a degree level qualification. | | | | system to allow close monitoring of migrants to ensure |
| The UK immigration authorities are reviewing the | | | | they leave the UK after the expiry of their visa. |
| current immigration laws pertaining to the Tier 4 | | | | In the last 12 months there were number of significant |
| Student category in order to stop any alleged abuse | | | | changes implemented into the Tier 4 Student category |
| of the visa system. | | | | including introduction of a certificate of acceptance for |
| The following changes are likely to be implemented: | | | | studies (CAS), biometric enrolment and foreign national |
| · Successful applicants from outside the EU will have | | | | identity cards (ICFN). |
| to speak English to a level only just below GCSE | | | | Furthermore, following concerns regarding unusually |
| standard, rather than the current beginner level; | | | | high volume of student visa applications from Nepal, |
| · Students taking courses below degree level will be | | | | northern India and Bangladesh, earlier this month, the |
| allowed to work for only 10 hours a week, instead of | | | | processing of those cases was suspended until further |
| 20 as at present; | | | | notice. |