The UK Border Agency has introduced significant changes to the Tier 4 General route of the Points Based System.
These changes, outlined below, apply to international students from 04 July 2011.
- Restricted employment; Only students sponsored by higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges can be employed (part-time during term time and full-time during vacation periods)
- Dependants; Only certain types of student can bring dependants to the UK. Family members of students sponsored by HEIs, on postgraduate courses, lasting 12 months or longer can join the main applicant. This will also apply to dependants of government-sponsored students, on courses lasting longer than 6 months
- Academic progression; The UK Border Agency now requires institutions to confirm that the course of study represents genuine academic progression from any previous courses studied by the person in the UK
- Low-risk nationals; Tier 4 students sponsored by Highly Trusted institutions will benefit from a less stringent application process.