There is a UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service which is designed to offer Tier 4 sponsored institutions an enhanced level of support in sponsoring overseas students and their immigration needs. The Tier 4 Sponsor must be eligible to apply and can be accessed through the Sponsor Management System (“SMS”). To get advice on the Tier 4 Premium Service, it is best to contact our specialist sponsor licence immigration team who are happy to arrange a consultation with our qualified immigration solicitors.
What is the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service?
The Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service was first introduced in May 2014 and offers a range of services to Tier 4 Sponsors in order to give greater support and tailored advice. Some of the services include:
- Allocation of a licence manager and regional account manager – The licence manager is the first point of contact regarding any enquiries relating to an academic institutions’ Tier 4 Sponsor Licence or Tier 4 migrant. A regional account manager will be available to support the sponsor licence manager with more complex issues;
- Student immigration history details – With permission of the Tier 4 migrant, information can be provided to the Tier 4 Sponsor regarding the students’ immigration history and can be carried out within 3 working days; quicker than receiving files from a Subject Access Request (“SAR”);
- Priority treatment on changes to the Tier 4 Sponsor Licence – Requests to make changes to a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence can be carried out within 10 working days, however, basic compliance assessments can take up to 18 weeks to be completed; and
- Management information reports on CAS allocation – Users of the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service will receive a monthly report which details the CAS certificates that the academic institution has used in the last 3 months.
The application is usually considered within 10 working days and s of today, the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service costs £8,000 for a 12 month period.
The Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service cannot consider any application which is made outside of the Immigration Rules or consider Tier 4 migrant applications quickly; however, with the permission of the applicant, updates on the progress of the application can be given.
How do I become a Tier 4 Sponsor?
In order for an academic institution to register overseas students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), they will need to hold a valid Tier 4 Sponsor Licence and will appear on the government’s official register of licenced sponsors. There are several key requirements that academic institutions need to satisfy before the Home Office will grant the Tier 4 Sponsor Licence such as educational oversight, eligibility and suitability. Tier 4 Sponsors will also need to assign the sponsorship management roles to key personnel.
Home Office compliance is extremely importing with regard to Tier 4 Sponsor Licence applications, therefore academic institutions who wish to make a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence application are advised to seek professional legal assistance. Contact our business immigration team to arrange a consultation and receive expert advice on Tier 4 Sponsor Licence applications.
Using Legal Representation for advice on the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative in order to advise on the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successfully use the Tier 4 Sponsor Premium Service
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.