On the 1st Jan 2011, new regulations have been introduced into the non-EEA student immigration regime. As you may know, all non-EEA students (visa & non-visa) who are staying in Ireland for over 90 days must register at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) upon their arrival in Ireland.

Below is a list of documents they must provide according to the new regulations:

• Letter confirming registration and full fees paid (issued by the school and delivered to the GNIB by the school)
• Bank statement from an Irish bank showing €3,000 (effective from 1 April 2011)
• Private medical insurance (travel insurance not accepted)
• Registration fee of €150 which students pay directly at the GNIB office

For more information, go to: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP0700000

The Student Visitor Visa (SVV) is being extended to 11 months. Students can apply for this from 10th January 2011. This means that students can now come to the UK for up to 11 months without proving their level of English. The criteria remain the same as the existing SVV – students can not extend from within the UK and there is no right to work.

Students with the correct level of English can still apply for a General Student Visa (GSV).

Non-visa nationals can get entry clearance for up to 6 months on arrival in the UK (e.g. Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, Korea etc). They must apply for an SVV in their home countries if they wish to stay longer than 6 months.

English schools in the UK that are part of the Language International network are Highly Trusted Sponsors, so we are hopeful that Entry Clearance Officers will look favourably on SVV applications from our UK schools.

You can also see the official EnglishUK and UKBA announcements at the following links:

English UK

UKBA

We’ve recently received a lot of questions from students about the approved UKBA English tests and required scores to receive apply for the UK Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa.

Download a list of approved UKBA tests and minimum scores required for a Tier 2 visa.

For more information on how to apply for a Tier 2 visa, visit the UKBA website.

Are you an international student applying for a UK Tier 4 General Student Visa? View a list of approved UKBA tests for a Tier 4 GSV.

We’ve recently received a lot of questions from students about the approved English tests and required scores to receive a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and apply for the UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV).

Download a list of approved UKBA tests and minimum scores required.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires a minimum of the ff. scores for a TOEFL Internet-based test. They look at the individual scores on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, not just the total score.

• Listening – 13
• Reading – 8
• Writing – 17
• Speaking – 19

For more information on how your TOEFL paper based scores convert into Internet based scores, download this TOEFL score conversion table: Internet-based, computer-based, and paper-based scores.

A few days ago, we wrote a post announcing the English level requirement change for those applying for a UK Tier 4 GSV. Unfortunately, the UK Border Agency has today released the following statement in a newsletter:

Level of English language study

Following the judgment made in the Judicial Review case brought by English UK, which challenged the method by which the change to the minimum level of study from A2 on the CEFR to B2 was made earlier this year, we have today made a further amendment to the Immigration Rules setting out the minimum levels of study permitted for different course types under Tier 4.

With effect from 23 July 2010, the minimum level of English language course that will be permitted under Tier 4 will be CEFR level B2, restoring the position in place before the judgment was handed down.  Please note that the exemptions on the minimum level which applied previously to Government-sponsored language students and those undertaking a pre-sessional English language course before pursuing a degree course remain, and further information is available in the revised guidance.

What does this mean in practice?

What this means in practice is that the English language sector will continue to operate as it has been since March of this year, whereby General Student Visa applicants must be able to follow a course of study at level B2.

Whilst this is obviously disappointing news, we expect that EnglishUK will be considering its options regarding further challenges to this ruling, and we will keep you informed of developments on a regular basis.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

UPDATE on September 21, 2010: Download a list of the approved UKBA English tests and required minimum scores to apply for a Tier 4 GSV.

UPDATE on July 22, 2010: Following the judgment made in the Judicial Review case brought by English UK, the UK Border Agency has today released a statement restoring B2 as the minimum level. Read more details about this change in UK immigration rules for the UK Tier 4 GSV.

We have good news to share for international students interested in studying English in the UK for over 6 months and therefore need to apply for the UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV).

After last week’s win in the High Court judicial review case on English language courses under the points based visa system, the required language level for General Student Visas has been dropped to A1 for A2 courses.

The change has taken effect as of last Monday (12^th July 2010) and now we are able to accept and issue CAS numbers for students who wish to travel on a General Student Visa as long as they can prove to be A1 level. The change on the General Student Visa application relates only to the level part, the other rules remain the same.

For students who wish to travel on a General Student Visa, all schools in the UK are able to accept a completion of A1 level certificate from other institutions, but we may require you to submit extra information such as syllabus etc depending on the certificate. Students who can produce a recognised exam result such as TOEFL, IELTS etc or a certificate from a recognised language school taken in the last two years will not be required to submit extra information.

Students who can not prove their level are advised to take a recognised exam. As a last resort, some of our partner language schools are also happy to send a written test  followed by a Skype or MSB interview to establish their level. For tests, we kindly ask you to contact our student advisors so that we can check with the school.

For students who wish to study in the UK for less than 6 months, there are no changes on student visitor visas  — the requirements have remained the same.

We would like to inform you of further developments regarding the UK Visa and Testing Policy. As many of you are aware, there have been significant changes to the visa application process for students going to the UK.

For the September intake, while we continue to wait for the UKBA to clarify which third party tests will form part of the Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV) system, we have taken the decision to recognize Password as an accepted third-party English language test, as we anticipate that this will become a UKBA-approved test.

For those who are not familiar with the Password English language test, Password tests are securely delivered and assessed online, and test-takers receive instant test results. Here’s an overview of the Password test:

• 12 “Can Do” questions (not timed)
• 72 questions (timed)
• 90 minutes
• 5 sections + written test

If you intend to take the Password test and would like to prepare for it, take a practice test.

Who has to take a third party test?

All students from countries who are currently required to provide evidence of their English proficiency by way of a formal English test.

Who does not have to take a third party test?

Anyone who can provide the following documentation:

• A secondary school attendance record or leaving certificate showing the student has had English classes for 3-5 years
• A secondary school examination certificate showing a level of English achievement
• An attendance certificate from evening classes in English language
• College or University certificate showing attendance and achievement in an English course
• Previous IELTS test score
• University of Cambridge ESOL certificate
• TOEFL certificate
• TOEIC certificate
• A reference from an appropriately qualified person to state that the student has previously studied English, citing course name and dates. The referee must also give their contact details on headed paper and interview the student to confirm their level of English is sufficient for the course.

How will students take the Password test?

The test can be taken online at home. For more information, please visit the Password website.

Further questions?

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Alternatively, you can contact your student advisor directly.

Please note that the UKBA guidelines and regulations remain unclear in several areas. Language Intenrational will monitor the situation closely and will advise of any changes to the above procedures.

Two weeks ago, we wrote  a post about the new UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV). It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion regarding the new minimum language level introduced by the UK Border Agency for students who want to apply for a General Student Visa (GSV).

Please note that students DO NOT need to be at B2 level upon entry.  The UK Border Agency clearly states that a student must be at CEFR Level B1, ready to study a course to attain Level B2.

The UKBA website provides further information regarding this matter:

We have raised the minimum level of English language course that Tier 4 (General) students can study, to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Before you can apply to study an English language course in the UK, you will need to show that your English language skills are at CEFR level B1 or higher. (There are exceptions if you are a government-sponsored student or if you want to study a pre-sessional English course that meets certain requirements.)

Below is a summary of the CEFR levels:

Learn more about CEFR Levels.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a requirement for obtaining a UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV).  Since February 22, visa letters are no longer be valid. The UK has started using an electronic system.

The electronic system will use a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Unlike the Form I-20 used for US visa applications, this is not an actual paper certificate – it exists only as a number on the UK Border Agency website. What will happen is as follows:

1. You register for an English course in the UK on our website
2. We’ll send you confirmation documents, but instead of a visa letter we send you a CAS reference number
3. You must quote the CAS reference number when applying for the UK visa

In many ways, this new electronic system will be an improvement. In particular, the CAS will be available for use as soon as we’ve processed it, so there will no longer be any need for us to send you visa letters. Students will therefore save money on hefty express mail fees!

Please remember that a CAS costs £10 and we will add this to your invoice. The £10 fee is non refundable, compulsory in all cases where a CAS is required. It is not an administration charge we have added but the actual cost of the process.

None of these changes affect Student Visitor Visas. They will continue to be processed using visa support letters.

There have been significant changes to the visa application process for students coming to the UK.  As of 22^nd February 2010 all applicants for Tier 4 General Student Visas (GSV) and Child Student Visa (CSV) are required to have a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) issued by their sponsor school. A CAS is a unique electronic reference number and will replace visa letters for students applying for a GSV or CSV. We hope that this will make applications quicker and faster in future and allow both school and agent to track a student’s visa progress.

We are committed to following UKBA rules to the letter and demonstrating good practice in our student recruitment.  This way, we can be a reliable partner to you and provide you with the excellent service you expect. For this reason, it would be helpful to clarify a few of the key UKBA policies which will affect students applying for General Student Visas (GSVs) for the UK.

1. As you will be aware, all students applying for a GSV must now be capable of studying at Pre-Intermediate A2 level as described by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) So, students who are beginners or elementary level (A1) are not allowed to come to the UK on a GSV. If any students test as beginners or elementary upon arrival at a Language Studies International school and they are on a GSV then we will not be allowed to accept them and will have to report them to the UKBA. We therefore ask that when enrolling your students you check their level. If you believe that they are not capable of studying at Pre-Intermediate A2, we would strongly advise that you recommend that they apply for a Student Visitor Visa (SVV) which allows study at any level. If a low level student really wants to apply for a GSV, you should advise them to first take lessons in your country and then re-test at your office before applying.
2. The UKBA require that language schools, as an organisation licensed to sponsor students, ask for documentation to show that a student is able to follow a course at a minimum of CEFR A2 (pre-intermediate) level. Language International schools will continue to follow the guidelines that the UKBA has given as to the information that should be used. This evidence can  include the following:

• A secondary school attendance record or leaving certificate showing the student has had English classes for 3-5 years
• A secondary school examination certificate showing a level of English achievement
• An attendance certificate from evening classes in English language
• College or University certificate showing attendance and achievement in an English course
• Previous IELTS test score
• University of Cambridge ESOL certificate
• TOEFL certificate
• TOEIC certificate
• A reference from an appropriately qualified person to state that the student has previously studied English, citing course name and dates. The referee must also give their contact details on headed paper and interview the student to confirm their level of English is sufficient for the course.

Note on Tier 4 General Student Visa Applications

1. Please remember that we are unable to accept English tests (online or written) which could have been conducted unsupervised. However, it may be possible in the future to conduct online live tests with our teachers. We will contact you shortly about this possibility.
2. Students will be required to pay £10.00 for the issuing of their CAS which will be added to their invoice from now on (please note that this is a non-refundable charge). Furthermore, any changes to course dates or options after the initial application will require a new CAS to be issued which would cost an additional £10.00. It is also worth noting that under UKBA regulations we are obliged to report students who have not arrived at school 10 working days after their start date. We would therefore ask you to continue to ensure that all students’ details are correct and accurate at the time of application, that they are aware of the extra £10.00 surcharge that they would have to pay for any subsequent changes and that they are aware of the UKBA conditions for their stay in the UK.

If you have booked a course to start after 22^nd February 2010 and are still applying for your Tier 4 GSV, please contact us as soon as possible to obtain a CAS.

If you have not yet done so, we recommend that you also check the UK Border Authority website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Alternatively, please contact us with any questions you may have