Latest student immigration news

We understand that it is a difficult time for many international students during this rapidly evolving situation. Advice from the governments in the UK and other countries is understandably being updated on a very frequent basis. Student wellbeing is the top priority and we will be doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has the support they need. 

We continue to liaise with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to distribute appropriate immigration guidance to UK international students. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of international students and they have up-to-date information on COVID-19 issues.

If you have specific questions relating to your visa or immigration status, please email Student Services studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk

Rest assured, we are working very hard to give you the support you need.

New immigration system:

The UK government have set out details of the UK’s new immigration system. These new arrangements will take place from January 2021, once freedom of movement within the EU has ended.

Student visa routes will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. If you are currently in the UK and from the EU, EEA or Switzerland then you may want to consider applying for the EU settlement scheme before June 2021 if you have not done so already. 

Graduate route still on track:

The home office has confirmed that a new Graduate Immigration route will be available to international students who have completed a degree in the UK from summer 2021. This will enable students to remain in the UK and work at any skill level for two years after they have completed their studies.

This means that, although anything could change before next summer, the UK Government currently still intends to introduce a two-year Graduate Route. We have no details yet and do not expect to have any until later this year.

Immigration news update March 2020

Increase to immigration health surcharge

As part of the recent budget the UK Government has announced that the immigration health surcharge (IHS) will increase from October 2020.

We do not yet have an exact date, but it will affect people who make a visa application on or after the date on which the increase comes into effect.

This means that students and their family members will be required to pay £470 a year, instead of the current annual charge of £300. Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) applicants will pay the same amount.

Other applicants who are liable to pay the HIS (such as those applying for Tier 2 visas) will be charged £624 a year, instead of the current £400 charge. However, children under 18 years old will pay £470 a year.

The policy costings document accompanying the budget confirms the date of implementation as October 2020. It also states that European Economic Area (EEA) nationals will be required to pay the immigration health surcharge at these new rates from January 2021. However, this does not apply to EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who have settled status (indefinite leave) or pre-settled status (limited leave) under the EU settlement scheme or who are eligible to apply for immigration permission under this scheme (the deadline for making an application is 30 June 2021). They remain exempt from the immigration health surcharge.

Immigration news update February 2020

The Graduate Immigration Route (post study working visa) - what's happening?

There has been no further information since the General Election which took place in December 2019. However, Home Office policy staff are still developing the scheme and have said that they might be able to publish more details around May or June this year. Details were originally published in the Home Office fact sheet: Graduate Immigration Route

Key points:

• The Graduate Immigration Route will be available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance and who have a valid Tier 4 visa at the time of application.
• Successful applicants on this route will be able to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for a maximum period of two years. Graduates will be able to switch into skilled work once they have found a suitable job.
• The new route will be launched in the summer of 2021, meaning that any eligible student who graduates in the summer of 2021 or after will be able to apply for the route. This includes students who have already started their courses. Universities will also be able attract students starting in the 2020/21 academic year on the basis that they will benefit.
• The graduate immigration route will require a new application and will include the payment of a visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The exact fee will be set out in due course.
• Those who graduate and whose Tier 4 leave expires before the route is introduced (in the summer 2021) will not be eligible.

If you are making a decision now about your study in the UK, you need to be aware that we will not have reliable information about the Graduate route, including its existence, until the Immigration Rules are published. The Home Office has said that this will not happen before April 2021, and possibly later, because its current focus is on designing and implementing a whole new immigration system to come into force by January 2021.

Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 with a transition period until 31 December 2020 (this may be extended), during which time negotiations for the future relationship will take place.

If you are living in the UK now, you and your eligible family members can remain doing so until 30 June 2021. However, after this date, you will need to have immigration permission if you wish to remain in the UK.

The EU settlement scheme is designed to offer you the opportunity to protect your residence in the UK to be able to continue to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK, as well as travel into and out of the UK. There will be no restrictions on study (where you study or what you study).

Please look at our webpage for more information on the EU Settlement Scheme.

Also look at the University’s webpage: Brexit advice for students.

Arriving in the UK: problems with eGates at the airport

Do not use eGates even if the Border official guides you that way!

When you arrive at the airport, you may be directed to use the eGates which is a quicker automated way of passing through border control. However, if you use the eGates, you will not get a stamp in your passport and you need this stamp to prove you have entered the UK legally. When you arrive at the University of Plymouth, we will ask to see the stamp. Without this stamp, you may not be able to enrol on your degree course and you may have to leave the UK and re-enter to get the stamp from a border official. Please read our webpage Arriving in the UK which details more fully on what to do so you can avoid this.

Immigration news update January 2019

The immigration health surcharge

The immigration health surcharge will double if you make your immigration application on or after 8 January 2019. This means it will cost £300 per year of leave granted for Tier 4 students and Tier 4 dependants. This charge is only payable when you apply for a new visa.

EU settlement scheme open to students from January

The EU settlement scheme has been tested since summer 2018. From 21 January 2019, it will be open to most students. You will be eligible to apply under it if you are either:

• An EU national with a valid passport (not identity card), or
  
• A non-EU citizen who has a residence card or permanent residence card issued on the basis of an application you made on or after 6 April 2015.
  

ISA is not authorised to give advice about this scheme but we will help with guidance where we can.

New innovator route

Details of a new innovator route, a start-up visa route and the closure or restriction of the Tier 1 (Investor) route, as outlined in the Immigration Minister's statement of 6 December, are expected next year in a statement of intent, followed by changes to the Immigration Rules around April.

CAH codes replace JACS for ATAS

A reminder that CAH, or CAH3 codes replace JACS codes from 1 January 2019 for the purposes of Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance. The ATAS website now lists all relevant CAH codes. ATAS clearance certificates issued on the basis of JACS codes will be accepted in immigration applications made before or after this date, as long as you applied for the ATAS certificates before 1 January 2019.

Some important immigration changes come into force in November 2018.

Submitting documents with a tier 4 visa application:

From 5 November, you will no longer need to submit photographs as part of an application in the UK. From 5 November you will also no longer be required to submit original documents (copies will be accepted) for an application made inside or outside the UK. The process for applying in the UK will also change. We do not yet have full details, but the Home Office has said that you will be able to scan documents instead of sending them, which means you will keep your passport and other evidence. However, if you travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) after you have made an immigration application, the Home Office will treat your application as withdrawn. This means that, although you will be able to keep your passport, you should not travel unless you want to abandon your application. To return, you would have to make another application outside the UK.

Immigration health surcharge increase:

The Government has announced that the immigration health surcharge will double, probably from December 2018. This means that if you plan to make a Tier 4 application around that time, you should ensure that you have enough money to pay £300 per year, instead of the current fee of £150.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The CAH codes which replace JACS codes from 1 January 2019 are listed on pages 19-21 of the Statement of Changes. The new list of subjects which require ATAS clearance in Appendix 6 will affect decisions made on or after 1 January next year. However, a clearance certificate applied for from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before 1 January 2019 will be valid for use in an application made or decided after 31 December 2018.

New UK Immigration Rules changes from 6 July 2018

There are some changes in the immigration rules coming into force on the 6 of July. Full details of the changes can be found here https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/studentnews/1151/Summary-of-changes-to-the-Immigration-Rules-affecting-applications-made-on-or-after-6-July-2018. We include a brief summary of the main points below.

Dependants of Tier 4 students: Dependants of tier 4 students on a postgraduate course will now be able to apply where the tier 4 student’s course is at least nine months long.

ATAS: Students coming to the UK for less than six months (for a course with relevant JACS codes) are now required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will affect students coming to the UK on Short term study visas.

Different documentary requirements: 11 Additional nationalities have been added to the list of students who are able to apply under the differentiation arrangements for low-risk nationals including China and Kuwait. Students from Oman will no longer be able to apply under these arrangements

Change for optional placement students from March 2018

This information is only relevant to Tier 4 visa students who wish to do an optional placement as part of their degree.

Students undertaking an optional placement year will most likely not have enough time left on their current Tier 4 visa to complete the final year of their degree. In the past, students could apply for a new Tier 4 visa before or after the placement. However, UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) have instructed us to advise students they should apply for the Tier 4 visa and get it granted BEFORE the optional placement commences. This will make it difficult for some students who may not have the time or finances in place.

UKVI are currently reviewing the policy to see if an exemption can be put in place for optional placement students but, until policy is reviewed, we strongly advise students to apply for the new Tier 4 visa as per their instructions. It is usually safest to apply beforehand anyway to ensure you have the correct time on your visa to cover your final year.

We advise students to contact us as soon as possible if they hold a Tier 4 visa and wish to enquire about optional placements.

Application fees from 6 April 2018

From the 6 April 2018 there will be an increase in the application fees for most visa applications. The new fees are:

- Apply outside the UK for Tier 4 and dependants is £348 per application.

- Apply in the UK for Tier 4 and dependants are:

• Standard application is £475 per application.  
• Priority application is £952 per application.
• Premium application is £1085 per application.
• BRP replacement application is £56.
  

New UK Immigration Rules changes from 11 January 2018

The Home Office have released changes to the Immigration Rules which affect students making a Tier 4 application and those coming to the UK as a ‘short-term student’. These changes took effect on 11 January 2018 and will affect an application made on or after that date.

Here is a summary of the most relevant changes for international students:

Changes to Tier 4

• Students who need to make a Tier 4 application to undertake an optional study abroad programme or an assessed work placement, or who need to extend their visa having completed a study abroad programme or work placement as part of their course will be exempt from having to meet any requirement about academic progress. This is good news as it means optional placement students can now extend their visas from within the UK and can apply before or after their placement.

Changes for ‘Short-term students’

• The minimum age to apply as a short-term student will be reduced from 18 to 16. This means that students aged 16 and over will be eligible to come to the UK for the longer period of 11 months in order to study an English language course.
• Short-term students are currently required to leave the UK at the end of their course or at the end of the six month period of immigration permission, whichever is sooner. This will change to allow short-term students to stay for up to 30 days after the course has ended.
• It has been made clearer that students will be able to undertake courses concurrently and consecutively as long as all courses can be completed within the six month validity period of the visa.
• A student who is enrolled on a course abroad in medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry which is equivalent to at least degree level study in the UK, will be able to undertake electives relevant to their course of study as a short-term student if they are accepted by a UK higher education institution and these electives are unpaid and involve no treatment of patients.

Changes to post-study work options

• Tier 4 students (excluding those studying a PhD) who are switching to Tier 2 (General) currently need to have completed and passed their course. This will change so that students can make their application for Tier 2 as soon as the course has been completed. If the final degree certificate or academic transcript is not yet available, evidence can be submitted stating the date the course was completed, having sat all exams and presented all academic papers. This does not affect PhD students.

Other changes

• Electronic visas for applications made outside of the UK will be introduced and trialled initially with specific groups. This means that when an entry clearance application is granted, the immigration permission will usually be endorsed in the passport, but in some cases it will be granted electronically.

Distance Learners

56 day rule for distance learners: If a student wishes to apply for short-term study to complete a distance learning course in the UK, they must meet all of the following criteria. They must be :

• be studying for the majority of your time outside of the UK for a UK qualification by distance learning
  
• be on a course that is longer than six months
  
• only enter the UK for limited periods, totalling no more than 56 days in the UK in any six month period- study completed during visits can include induction weeks, short periods of intensive face-to-face learning and exams or assessments.
  

Please contact Student Services at studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk if you have any questions.

New immigration application changes from 6 April 2017

Updated 06/04/2017

Application fees from 6 April 2017

From the 6th April 2017 there will be an increase in the application fees for most visa applications. The new fees are:

- Apply outside the UK for Tier 4 and dependants is £335 per application.

- Apply in the UK for Tier 4 and dependants are:

• Standard application is £457 per application.  
  
• Priority application is £916 per application.
  
• Premium application is £1047 per application
  

- BRP replacement application is £56.

Working in the UK on a Tier 4 visa

Tier 4 visa holders should already be aware that they can only work a certain number of hours per week during term time. What is a week?

From 6 April 2017, 'week' will be defined in the Immigration Rules as "a period of seven days beginning with a Monday". This is different from the Home Office's view until now, so make sure that your working hours and work pattern fits this definition.

You must, if necessary, change your working hours so that from 6 April 2017 you are working no more than 20 hours in any seven-day period starting on a Monday. If you work irregular hours and/or have more than one employer, you will need to keep detailed records of how many hours you work each day so that you can be sure that you are not in danger of breaching your work condition.

Are you self-employed? What does self-employed mean?

Please be reminded that you are not permitted to be self-employed on a Tier 4 Visa under current Immigration Rules. This may not sound relevant to you but you may become self-employed by mistake which could have serious consequences.

Normally, a person is self-employed if they run a business or work for themselves but this is not always the case. Your employer might suggest that you work for them on a 'self-employed' or 'freelance' basis to reduce their paperwork. You must not agree to this as you might end up breaching your work conditions.

Changes to the academic progression rules on 6 April 2016

Updated 25 May 2016

We are still in discussion with the Home Office about some of their recent changes to the immigration rules on the 6 April 2016.

The following students are likely to be affected:

• Students who have repeated in the past but need to extend their Tier 4 visa in order to complete their studies with Plymouth University.
• Students who have recently failed part of their programme and who no longer have long enough on their current Tier 4 visa to allow them to complete the whole degree programme.
• Students who intend to transfer to a new programme.
• Students who started studying on a new programme using their current Tier 4 visa, but now need to extend their Tier 4.
• Students who have added a work or study placement year to their undergraduate course.

The rules from the 6 April 2016 may mean that you are no longer able to apply for your Tier 4 visa in the UK. We are still waiting for clarification from the Home Office and will update this section once we know.

Study time limits (caps) changes from 6 April 2016

The immigration rules clarify that when calculating the time limits (or ‘caps’) on study, it is the period of leave that you have previously been granted that will count towards the time limits, even if you did not spend all of this time studying and/or you used this time to study a different level of course. More information on UKCISA webpage

Changing your course from 6 April 2016

The study condition for Tier 4 (General) students is being tightened so that if you apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa on or after 6 April 2016 you can only change course at the same institution if:

• you haven’t completed the course for which your CAS was assigned
• the course is taught by a UK recognised body or HEI that has Tier 4 sponsor status
• the course is at degree level or above
• the new course isn’t at a lower level than the previous course for which you were granted leave
• you will be able to complete the new course within your current period of leave
• if you have previously been granted Tier 4 (General) or Student leave your sponsor must confirm that:
• the course is related to the previous course for which you were granted leave (that is, it is connected to your previous course, part of the same subject group or involves deeper specialisation) or
• your previous course and the new course in combination support the your genuine career aspirations

A course change can also have an impact on your ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance if you had one for your original course or you may need ATAS clearance for your new course.

If you change your course you must complete your new course within your existing period of leave; you will not be granted further leave from within the UK to complete the course. If you do need further leave to complete your course you must apply from overseas as per the Tier 4 of the PBS Policy Guidance 6/4/2016

Please make an appointment with Student Services to discuss your plans first by emailing studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk.

 NHS Treatment medical costs from 6 April 2016

Your visa application could be refused if you have an outstanding debt for NHS (medical) treatment of £500 or more; or if you have been involved in a legal case with the Home Office and as a result you have been instructed to pay the Home Office's legal costs, but you have failed to do so.

 New immigration application charges from 18 March 2016

From the 18 March there will be an increase in the application fees for most visa applications.  

Tier 4 and dependants - outside the UK £328

Tier 4 and dependants - Standard application in the UK £448

Tier 4 and dependants - Premium application in the UK £948

BRP replacement - £56

 Right to Rent Checks

Since 1 February 2016, landlords in England have had to comply with the new ‘right-to-rent’ rules. This means that when they agree new tenancies, they must check the immigration status of their tenants. This applies to new tenancy agreements only, so students in existing tenancies, or who renew their agreements with no change to living arrangements, don’t need to be checked. The new rules apply only in England, but university-owned accommodation is exempt. More information is on the Gov.UK Right to Rent Checks

 New application form for Tier 4 applications in the UK from 1 February 2016

From the 1 February 2016, there will be a new version of the Tier 4 application form for applications made in the UK. Links to the most common Tier 4 applications can be found here:

Extending your T4 visa in the UK

Applying for T4 visas outside of the UK (including dependants)

If your baby is applying later than you from within the UK

If your partner is applying later than you from within the UK

Changes in Tier 4 financial requirements

This message only applies to you if you have a Tier 4 visa and if your current Tier 4 visa does not cover the whole of your course.

If you apply for a new Tier 4 visa on or after 12 November 2015, the amount of maintenance (living costs) will increase. Please read the following:

If you apply for your new Tier visa before 12 November 2015:
Current rules still apply: You need to have £1,640 or £7,380 maintenance (living costs) to apply for a new Tier 4 visa. In addition, if you have dependants, they will need to show maintenance too.

If you apply for a new Tier 4 visa on or after 12 November 2015:
The amount of maintenance (living costs) will increase to £1,015 per month. The UKVI require you to show nine months of this maintenance so this means you need to show evidence that you have £9,135 in your bank account plus any unpaid tuition fees. In addition, if you have dependants, each one must also show they have £6,120.
Examples:
a) A student needs to extends her visa as her current visa is not long enough to cover her course. She has no dependants. She needs to have evidence of £9,135 for maintenance plus any unpaid tuition fees.
b) A student needs to extend his visa and has 2 dependants (wife/child). He needs to have evidence of £9,135 plus any unpaid tuition fees for yourself PLUS £6,120 for each dependant.

If you receive sponsorship from your government/official establishment, any sponsor letter will need to reflect these new figures.

Established presence for existing students will no longer exist and you'll not have the option to show a lower amount if you apply on or after 12 November 2015.

If you wish to read more about the new changes, please visit UKCISA. If you have any queries, please visit ISAS and we will explain the changes to you. We are situated in room 008, Roland Levinsky Building on the ground floor.

Tier 4 visa application form and payment of IHS surcharge

From 5 July 2015, the Tier 4 application forms will automatically calculate how much of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) applicants have to pay (at the moment this has to be done on a separate portal). This change will affect the Tier 4 application system on 4 July 2015. Please read the information on UKCISA website carefully. If you are starting a new application then we would recommend waiting until 5 July 2015 to do so in order to avoid any problems with the application forms.

New process for Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and students applying for a visa to stay in the UK for six months and longer

Visa for visitors

Since 24 April 2015, it has not been possible to apply for entry clearance or leave to remain as a 'student visitor'. Routes for various types of 'short-term student' have been introduced instead. For more details please visit UKCISA website and the Home Office website

The General Visitor visa has been replaced by 'Standard Visitor' route. For more information please visit the Home Office website

Exit checks from 8 April 2015

The Home Office will now check the immigration status of those leaving, as well as entering, the UK. For more information please visit the UKCISA website.

Health charge

On 6 April 2015 the Home Office introduced a health charge which must be paid by all non-EEA nationals who apply to come or stay in the UK to work, study or join family for a period longer than six months. Visa holders will then be entitled to receive free National Health Service (NHS) treatment.

The surcharge is set at £150 per year for students, with dependants generally paying the same amount as the main applicant. For more details please visit the UKCISA and UK Visas & Immigration website.

New immigration fees from 6 April 2015