The government announced changes to the Immigration Rules on 13^th July 2015. Many of these affect Tier 4 Students (General and Child) on the points-based system.

The main changes will:

• Stop new students at publicly funded colleges from working, bringing them in line with those at private colleges (from August 2015)
• Allow university students to study a new course at the same level but only where there’s a link to their previous course or the university confirms that this supports their career aspirations. There will be credibility interviews and sanctions against universities who abuse this rule (from August 2015)
• Ban college students from extending their Tier 4 visas in the UK unless they are studying at an ‘embedded college’, one which has a formal, direct link to a university that is recognised by the Home Office. This will require them to leave and apply for a new visa from outside the UK if they wish to study another course (from November 2015)
• Ban college students from being able to switch visas to Tiers 2 or 5 visas in the UK, and require them to apply from outside the UK (from November 2015)
• Reduce the time limit for study at further education level from 3 years to 2 years. This brings the maximum period into line with the length of time British students generally spend in further education (from November 2015)
• Stop Tier 4 visa dependants from taking a low or unskilled job, but instead allow them to take part-time or full-time skilled work (from the autumn 2015)

These changes will help reduce immigration abuse ensuring the UK remains  competitive and attracts the brightest and best international students. The UK continues to welcome genuine students to our world class institutions.

If you feel this may affect you then please contact the United Kingdom Visa’s and Immigration (UKVI) or a legal representative in your country (this may incur charges).

The information provided by Study Links cannot be used as an alternative to legal advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any legal/visa matters please contact the UKVI or a Visa and Immigration expert. Please contact Study Links and we will offer you details of some of the companies we work in partnership with. Information correct at time of publication (July 2015).

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By Natasha Sykes, Applications Officer