Merry Christmas!

I wish all my blog viewers many Merry Christmas! You may have good enjoyment at this festive time.

Changes to the child visitor rules

The UK Border Agency has announced details of next month's changes to the rules on foreign students under the age of 18 who come to the UK on exchanges and educational visits.


From 1 January 2010, students from countries outside the European Economic Area will be able to apply to enter the UK for up to six months on an exchange or educational visit to a state-maintained school, a non-maintained special school, an independent fee-paying school or an independent non fee-paying school. They will not require entry clearance, unless they are nationals of countries who require a visa to enter the UK.(More... )

More facilities for migrants to enrol their biometrics

The identity cards for foreign nationals programme has reached another milestone, with the roll-out of biometric enrolment facilities to 17 post offices around the UK.

These facilities have been introduced over the past few weeks, to increase the options available to migrants who need to enrol their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when they make an application to the UK Border Agency. This process is now complete, giving postal applicants in certain postcodes the option to use one of these post offices instead of the 11 Home Office biometric enrolment centres nationwide.

For Full story visit UKBA's Web site

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 120

The latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules was laid before Parliament today.


The changes on tier 4 point based system include the following:

1. The Immigration Rules are being amended to provide that applications for leave to remain or settlement on the basis of long residence will no longer be considered at a UK Border Agency Public Enquiry Office;
2. The Rules will also make provision, within the child visitor rules, to permit exchange visits by overseas students to state maintained and other schools;
3. The Immigration Rules are being amended to make provision for the final phase of the roll-out of Tier 4, the student tier of the points-based system. The changes to the Rules will mean that from 22 February 2010, Tier 4 migrants will require an electronic confirmation of acceptance for studies in order to be able to score points for attributes in their applications to come to the UK;

The changes will come into effect on 1 January 2010, with the exception of the Tier 4 changes, which will come into force on 22 February 2010.

I will provide analysis on changes on immigration rules. You need not to be worry! Keep on visiting this blog.

News source: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/december/soc-ir-hc120

Another Hot News

The UK Border Agency has responded to claims in the media that some education providers may be prevented from enrolling foreign students.

The claims were made following the publication today of a Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report into Tier 1 of the points-based system. The Tier 1 (Post-study work) route enables migrants to stay and work here after they have completed a course of study at a specified level in the UK. The MAC has recommended that the government should review whether students on some UK education providers' courses should still be able to access the post-study work route - however, it did not suggest that these education providers, or the students taking their courses, are not genuine.

Under Tier 4 of the points-based system, which was launched earlier this year, only those educational establishments that are dedicated to providing quality education and taking responsibility for their students are licensed to sponsor foreign students. Tier 4 ensures that students can feel confident in the quality of the education they will receive in the UK, and minimises the risk of exploitation by 'bogus colleges'. Any education provider that is licensed as a Tier 4 sponsor will be able to continue enrolling foreign students.

The government will now consider the MAC's recommendations regarding Tier 1, and will announce whether it accepts them in early 2010. The announcement will be published on UKBA's website.

Source: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/december/07-media-education-response

New versions of Tier 4 application forms and points-based system dependant form

UK Border Agency has revised visa application form for tier 4 students and dependents. The revision was effective from 5th October 2009.

You may view the full story from Here.

Admission to a course

When you make rational selection of college, you should start admission process. All colleges keep their admission criteria and information for international students in their web site. You may view the information on international student section.

You can find admission requirements, course information, fees, application fees, terms of payment of tuition fees and other important information.

Most colleges require photocopy of your latest academic transcripts and/or mark sheets, passport and IELTS score. You must fill up the application form of the college and send back it with photocopies of all required documents and application fees. However, application fees for some colleges can be sent while depositing tuition fees. You may find the colleges who can admit you without IELTS score but you have to do pre-session English course before doing the main course. In case of application of Brown’s review on Tier 4 Student visas, you cannot get admissions without IELTS. Though some colleges may offer this option, the Entry Clearance Officer may refuse your visa because there will be the adequate reason of refusal. So, start preparing IELTS if you plan to study in UK.

Sometime, you may feel difficulties on getting admissions. I am pleased to provide free service for selection of best college and admission to international Students but you must be from non-EU countries. If you want my assistant to select best college and get admissions in this college, send your scan copy of passport, academic documents, IELTS score including your CV at tier4uk@yahoo.com. I will assist you to admit at your prefer course or suggest you the course which may have good demand in future.

When your application will be successful, you will get conditional letter of admission. You may call it Offer letter. After you will get offer letter, you should deposit tuition fee as per the conditions mention in the offer letter. You should make direct deposit to the college through Bank Wire Transfer or Demand Draft. When you deposit the tuition fee, the college will send you Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies or Visa Letter.

Your Next steps should be Documentations for Visa Application.

Guide on making Decision and Preparation

Making Decision to Study in UK as Tier 4 student:


It will be better for your life to decide to study in UK after evaluating all factors rather than making a quick decision. I call it a rational decision. As an educated alien you should already know what would be the challenges, opportunities, expenses and your personal or family’s financial ability to afford those expenses.

My research showed that most students who came in UK to study from Non-EU countries have a dream to earn huge money. I found that there are a plenty of students who don’t actually have capacity to afford the UK education. The most surprising thing is that most of such students have the dream to earn more money to repay loan and buy a nice house and car in their country in a short period. Their dream might be true in future if they will work hard for better qualification however this is not possible in a short period.

Just imagine what would be the challenges? Certainly cultural difference is one of the major challenges. You should be flexible to adopt new culture. You may find different culture and tradition. If you are not able to do so, you may face cultural-shock or home-sickness. Other challenge is Language. Though you have good English knowledge, some time you will feel difficulties to communicate with people. It takes some time to you be usual to the way of communication. There will be several challenges you should face in UK, you must be flexible and positive thinker to come out from such challenges. Sometime use of Computer and IT in study will be the challenge for you. If you don’t have good knowledge of using computer, it may affect your education. So, you must be able to use general computer application such as Microsoft office package. And you should be able to use internet application such as open web site, registration, sign in and information access ability. If you often use hotmail, yahoo, facebook etc, you needn’t to be worry. Otherwise you should learn about these in your country before applying.

You may get several opportunities in UK. You can meet new people throughout the world; can learn new culture and language. You also can get most trusted and quality education in UK which will open the door of global opportunities for you. While studying in UK, you can work 20 hours per week. So, you may earn some money to contribute for living and study too. During your annual holiday you also can work full time.

The most affecting factor for making decision on whether study in UK or not is expenses and evaluation of your personal or family’s ability to afford those. If you go through the Tier 4 Policy Guidance, you can know that your monthly expenses would be £600 for outside of London and £800 for inside London. And you should have separate money to pay tuition fee. You must have at least the living expenses for nine months and first year tuition fees.

But I would like to suggest you that just evaluate whether you have the ability to afford those expenses during your study or not. If you plan to earn living expenses and next year tuition fee by working in UK, you may get trouble of lack of fund. There is no guarantee that you will get the job. There are several factors that may affect your job opportunities such as your training, experience, demand of your skill, study time and requirements of the job.

Only make decision after evaluating these things.

Preparation:

Preparation is most important steps before applying to a course. In most guidelines you may find just preparation for your study but I am going to guide you to prepare for study requirements as well as better adjustment in UK society & get part time job quickly.

While evaluating your personal skills and trainings what you found as weak points, first of all fulfil those. For example, you should have knowledge of computer and Internet to be able to study in UK and you don’t know how to use a computer, office package and internet, then you should know first about how to use computer office package and internet. You may take training and practice at your home.

You should have IELTS score in order to get admission to a course. Brown’s student visas review is likely to stop students for English course. So, you may not get visa for pre-session English course. So, start preparing IELTS. If you are weak in English, you may also start English Language preparation.

If you have some skill, training and experience, you are likely to get part time job quickly. So, if you are fresh, at least take training and some experience in your country. Some demanding jobs in UK are plumber, electrician, computer hardware maintenance and networking, hairdresser, cook, lab technician, baker, waiter, bartender, barber etc. Due to the application of IT in the job, you should have good computer knowledge. More jobs require driving ability, so, you may learn car driving and hold a valid driving license from your country. You may visit Job Finding Tips for Tier 4 Students

Next Step: Selection of Best College

Important news for international students about brown’s student visas review!

“Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a review of student visas to consider giving them only to foreign students on degree and postgraduate courses. For full story visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8373749.stm73749.stm”

International Student! Be aware! Your visa application might be affected by Brown’s review of student visas. If the review will come in action, the international students who wish to come in UK for English study, can’t get visa. If you are dreaming to come UK for studying English course, your dream will be remain as dream, may not be true. You have to wait until beginning of January to see whether this review will come into action or not.

If the review will come into action, the applicants who wish to come to study a course followed by pre-session English language, may be affected. So, if you are planning to study a graduate or postgraduate course in UK, you should start now for English Proficiency Test preparation such as IELTS. If you will apply to a course followed by pre-session English, your visa application may be refused.

You should be rationale and keep some patient. You needn’t be worry because it is not the ending of Tier 4 Point Based System. Tier 4 PBS will be still active.

Job Finding Tips for Tier 4 Students

In these days to find part time jobs in UK is quiet difficult. Due to the economic crisis a lot of large industries went bankrupt, so thousands of UK citizens are unemployed. International students, who are from non-EU countries, have to face huge competition with UK and EU students.

After launching Tier 4 Point Based System, thousands of students have come in UK for study and the same ratio are still coming. Most students dream to work part time for earning living cost and next year tuition fees. I am wonder to know that students from Bangladesh, India, Nepal & Pakistan have come by lending loan on collateral basis. Obviously, they are willing to earn some money to pay back their loan.

I just want to focus to those students who are already in UK in this post. I am going to provide here some advice which may lead them to get part time job successfully. Please follow the steps below to get tips:

1. First of all analyze what training, experience, skill and talents you have. After that try to find a volunteering position. You may find positions at some reputed organization such as British Red Cross, British Heart Foundation. Side by side, go to Job Centre Plus (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk) and apply for National Insurance Number (NI). Every Employer needs NI Number to accept you on the job. 
2. After volunteering for 2 weeks you may ask your line manager or the supervisor for providing references. Your performance would be the key points to give you reference. So, be careful, loyal and dedicated while volunteering. 
3. Then make a CV. The CV must be one page and must clearly stated about your information, objectives, hobbies, interest, education, training, skill, experience and references. Most employers require at least 2 references. One might be given by your college representative who knows about you and another one must be work reference which can be given by your manager of the organization where you are volunteering. If you provide international work reference, you may not get any reply from the employer for your application. 
4. After making short, brief and complete CV, you may start finding jobs. You may find job vacancies to the local news papers and go to Jobcentre Plus web site. I will post some top rated job sites soon.
5. You may also go around the market, where you can see part time vacancies on the glasses and wall of the shops and hotels. When you will drop your CV, it would be better to hand it to the manager directly. Otherwise the staff may not deliver your CV to the Manager. Some vacancies must require filling up the application form. Get the application form and fill up clearly. Your skill and ability can be easily evaluated by your way of filling up the form.
6. It would be the best idea to note when and where you drop your CV. You may write in a note book about the name, address, phone number, date, job closing date and the person’s name that you gave your CV for the job. If you won’t hear within 3 days of the closing date, you may inquire to the organization. 
7. If your application was unsuccessful and you hear from your employer then you may give a call to them and ask what weakness made you to reject for the post. So, you couldn’t repeat such for the next application.

If you properly follow up these tips, you may definitely get the part time job soon. Good luck!

Tips to International Students for selecting best colleges in UK

It is important to spend some time for selecting best colleges rather than jumping on cheap colleges. Most international students especially from China, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh did the mistake on selection of college. My research showed that all of them see the rating of the college to select the college. Only rating A is not enough that the college’s Tier 4 License lasts longer and their qualification will be valuable in future.

One thing you should keep in mind is that you can never earn money to make home, to buy car and to repay loan in your country while studying cause you are just allowed to work 20 hours per week and your earning might be enough just for your living cost.

It would be better to use the following mechanism to choose college so you will never be affected of suspension and cancellation of license of your selected college. The tier 4 point based system migrant policy clearly states that in case of tier 4 license cancellations of your selected sponsor/college, you should leave UK or you may try another licensed sponsor by paying tuition fees.

You may review the following tips:

1. You must choose the sponsor which is not profit oriented. It means you may choose government funded or operated colleges and universities. If you choose profit oriented sponsor, it might focus on making more profit rather than providing quality education. You may not have access on proper facilities or you should pay separate amount for facilities that you will get. Such sponsors/colleges often break immigration rule because they will just focus on a large number of recruitment. Sometimes that might be more than their actual capacity. It is true that they offer cheap tuition fee to attract large number of students.
2. Don’t go through only for rating A. The A rating will be provided when the college or sponsor can prove to UK Border Agency that they have proper facilities to provide for their agreed number of students. For example: College A and College B are both A rated colleges. College A can offer admission to 10000 and be able to provide facilities to such number of students. And College B can just offer admission for 500 students. If College B recruit 700 students where as his facilities are just enough for 500 students, definitely it can’t provide quality education as promised. While checking by UKBA, its sponsorship might be suspended or cancelled.
3. If you provide some time to review tier 4 migrant guidance, you can clearly get information that you should complete your course on time, if you will fail, you should return back to your home country. If your college is profit oriented and offer you cheap tuition fees, they may choose lecturers at cheap pay rate and might not be highly qualified, they may provide limited facilities and they may operate large size classes. These all factors may lead you to get fail to complete your course successfully on time. 
4. If your course requires progression to another institution or universities, you may not get admission on the progression level because the universities won’t take admission more than their allowed numbers. So, what will you do at that time?
5. Most employers see where you have completed your course rather than seeing what course you have been completed. If you have completed your course from recognized institution then they trust you and there will be high change to get after study employment and vice versa. Even for part time job while studying the reputation of college does highly mater. So, choose best college and successfully complete your education and get bright future. Don’t see present only, you have to think about your future.

So, rather than hearing sweet dream by your education consultant, try to find the consultant who gives you fact information and can guide you for quality courses at top rated colleges and universities.

If you need help to choose best college, I am pleased to provide free service for selection of best college and admission to international Students but you must be from non-EU countries. If you want my assistant to select best college and get admissions in this college, send your scan copy of passport, academic documents, IELTS score including your CV at tier4uk@yahoo.com. I will assist you to admit at your prefer course or suggest you the course which may have good demand in future.