As of February, 2010, the UK Border Agency has published a set of revised guidance and application forms for anyone entering the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 4 (the tier that applies to students) of the points-based system.
. Any Filipino student who is planning to study abroad in the UK needs to make certain that the forms they are using are clearly marked “version 02/10.” If they use an old form, their application may be completely rejected or significantly delayed.
Several other changes have been made to the application process as well. Instead of a visa letter, which is no longer acceptable, all Tier 4 applicants must submit a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS, letter from their university, college, or institute. The CAS should include a reference number and the institute’s sponsor license number. It should also include information such as your name, date of birth, the courses you are taking, the course start and end dates, information regarding any financial sponsorship, and other documents that prove your qualifications. If you have received a visa letter but not a CAS, you will need to contact your educational institute and ask them to send you a CAS. If you’ve already submitted your application with only a visa letter, however, your application will still be processed.
Why has the UK Border Agency made these changes? They are attempting to make it more difficult for those who are studying below degree level to be able to work. Under the new regulations, it will also be impossible for these students’ dependents to work at all. The goal of these stricter regulations is to ensure that those who apply as students but really just want to come to the UK to work are unable to enter the country. Dealing with these bogus students has become something of a problem for the UK, and these regulations are just one response to the issue. Another response is a new points test for British citizenship, which will be implemented in 2011.
The new rules state that foreign students who are studying below degree level will be unable to take any course that includes work placement unless the course is being provided by a university or college that has earned the “highly trusted sponsor” status. However, at the same time, the new regulations make it more difficult for an institute to become classified as a highly trusted sponsor. Most publicly funded universities will have this status, though. Private colleges will have to pass through a rigorous evaluation process to earn the highly trusted label. Another change is that students below degree level will also have to pass an approved secure test that demonstrates they are proficient in the English language.
These changes are a continuation of the overhaul of the points system which began in March of 2009. Over the past year, the UK Border Agency has instituted regulations that require students to show that they have been sponsored by a college licensed by the agency and that they can support themselves financially while studying in the UK. Since November of 2009, Tier 4 requirements have been undergoing a review, and more changes may be announced in the future as the review team works to find the best way to allow genuine students into the country while weeding out those who want to abuse the system.
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