Theresa May to Tighten Tier 4 Student Visa Route

This week, it has been reported by the Telegraph that the former Home Secretary and new Prime Minister Theresa May aims to propose plans to crackdown on the Tier 4 student visa route.  The route which allows individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to come to the UK to study has undergone several changes in the last several years and it is difficult to see how these rules could be made stricter. It has been reported that the Home Office and Department for Education will be required to examine the student visa regime to see where the criteria can be tightened. The news comes as a spokesman from the National Union for Students criticises the UK immigration rules for being unwelcoming to international students. We briefly outline below what the new proposals may entail below.

Proposals to Tighten Tier 4 Route

According to leading news reports some of the options considered in order to restrict the Tier 4 route include rules which will prevent non- EEA students from being able to take courses which are considered “soft” from low ranking universities.

It is expected that proposal may include sanctions which will prevent universities from marketing their courses as opportunities for students to work in the UK. Other measures may include actions which will ensure students return home after finishing their studies.

The plans come amidst a row over whether the government remains committed to the target of reducing UK net migration to below 100,000.

UK’s Tough Student Visa Regime

We have reported over the last year the number of universities across the UK complaining about the restrictive immigration policies stifling the economy and talent into the UK and the International Officer for the National Union of Student Mostafa Rajaai, has stated:

“As it stands, the British student visa regime is one of the toughest and least welcoming in the world. By tightening it further, the Higher Education sector will lose out on hundreds of thousands of international students choosing other countries over the UK.”

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were more than 206,000 student visas granted in the year to March 2016, a fall of 5% compared with the same period last year. The official statistics body also said visa applications from non-EEA nationals to study in the UK fell by 6% to more than 222,000 in the year to March.

UK Immigration Advice for Individuals Coming to UK

Whether you want to come to the UK to study, work, visit or for business purposes our expert Immigration Solicitors based in the heart of London will be able to assist you with your visa application. Detailed assessments will be made of your current situation and you will be provided with options that are best suited to your circumstances.

Our Solicitors have had a successful run of the following visa applications under the Points-based system:

  • Tier 1 UK Entrepreneur Visa category: is for business persons who would like to establish a business in the UK or join and invest into an existing business.
  • Tier 2 (General) category: is for non-European migrants who have been offered a highly skilled job  by a UK employer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.
  • Tier 4 Student category: are for international students who wish to come to the UK to study and experience life and culture in the UK.

Successful UK Work Visa Applications & Appeals

If you are currently in the UK as a student and wish to explore your options of working here or setting up your own business, contact our expert immigration lawyers who will be happy to advise you.

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 2 visa application or a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a student visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

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