April 2010

Visas for non-EU students
7th April 2010

There has been a lot of publicity about the UK Government’s changes in visa requirements for Tier 4 students.  We are here to help you understand the latest regulations and to make it as easy as possible for your students to follow a course at our school.

Any student from a non-European Union country who wants to study with us for less than six months has to apply for a Student Visitors Visa.  We issue a confirmation letter  to the agent and the student makes an appointment at the local British Embassy to obtain a visa.  Note that students on this kind of visa may not take employment (paid or unpaid) while in the UK and may not bring dependants.  Also the visa cannot be extended in the UK.

Students intending to study longer than six months must apply for a General Student Visa.  We have to register the student online with the UK Border Agency and issue a special number known as a CAS.  The student then makes an appointment with the local British Embassy and must provide evidence that their level of English is at least B1 (intermediate) level.  Later this year official tests will be available to check students’ level.

Members of English UK are very unhappy about the introduction of this new minimum level of English and we support the English UK campaign to get this decision changed.  ESoE Principal Graham White recently appeared on a BBC programme speaking against this unfortunate change. Watch the video online

There will be a general election on 6 May 2010 and we hope that the new government will change the regulations.

In the meantime if you want more detailed guidance about visa applications for your students please visit our visa information page or contact us at the school.