The Home Office have introduced numerous changes to the Immigration Rules which come into effect on 12 November.
Visa extensions for college students Students at colleges will no longer be able to extend their Tier 4 visa in the UK (for example if they wish to start a degree course after their college course), nor will they be able to switch to Tier 2 or Tier 5 in the UK. Applications from outside the UK will continue to be possible. This means that if you are already in the UK studying at a college on a Tier 4 (General) visa will have to go home to apply for your visa in order to start at the University.
Maximum length of study below degree level The maximum time allowed on a Tier 4 (General) visa to study below degree level will be reduced to two years from three. This will impact you if you have already studied in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) visa on a course that is below degree level and you are continuing to study on a foundation level course at the University.
‘Established Presence’ The ‘established presence’ rules for lower financial maintenance will be removed and all students (and dependants if applicable) will be required to show the higher maintenance (regardless of time spent in the UK). This change will impact you if you are already in the UK and need to extend your visa to either complete your course or start a new course as you will now have to show you have up to £9135 rather than £1640 for living costs when making your visa application.
Financial Maintenance The amount of money required for living costs in the UK will increase from £820 to £1015 per month of the course, up to a maximum amount of 9 months (or £9135). The amount of money that may be deducted for living costs on a CAS will increase to £1265 (from £1020). The amount of money that dependants will be required to show for living costs will increase to £680 per month of a student’s course, up to a maximum of 9 months (or £6120). This is important to be aware of if you are applying for a visa from overseas or from within the UK as it’s crucial you have the required amount of funds to evidence you meet the financial maintenance requirements for a Tier 4 (General) visa.
For further information please see the Tier 4 (General) Policy Guidance
Should you have any additional questions about these changes we recommend you speak with one of our Student Advisers at the Kent Union Advice Centre.