News
5 October 2009
Important Changes for sponsors under the points-based system The UK Border Agency has today published revised guidance for employers and education providers who sponsor migrants under the points-based system, and has enabled education providers to use the sponsorship management system for the first time. The sponsor guidance has now been split into separate documents for employers (Tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system) and for education providers (Tier 4).
25 September 2009
Renewal process for annual allocations of certificates of sponsorship When an employer or education provider applies successfully for a licence to sponsor migrant workers and/or students under the points-based system, the UK Border Agency allocates them a certain number of certificates of sponsorship and/or confirmations of acceptance for their first year as a sponsor. At the end of that year, and every year while they are a sponsor, they must request a new allocation. Allocations cannot be carried over from one year to the next, and a sponsor cannot sponsor any more migrants if it has used its current allocation.
23 September 2009
Transitional Arrangements for earned citizenship The UK Border Agency has announced transitional arrangements for migrants who will be on the journey to British citizenship when earned citizenship is introduced. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act received Royal Assent on 21 July 2009. Sections 39-41 and 47-49 of Part 2 of the Act give effect to earned citizenship, which the UK Border Agency plans to introduce in July 2011. The UK Border Agency will announce the specific date of introduction closer to the time.
19 August 2009
Student Visas provision for students with Internation al Baccalaureate qualifications Where a sponsor has assessed a student on the basis of an International Baccalaureate award awarded on 5 July 2009, it must clearly explain in the student's confirmation of acceptance for studies/visa letter that it has confirmed the student's results using either the UCAS or International Baccalaureate Office online checking systems. If the Tier 4 sponsor has already issued the student's confirmation of acceptance for studies/visa letter, it must provide the student with a separate letter explaining that it has confirmed the student's results using either the UCAS or International Baccalaureate Office online checking systems. The student must include this letter with their Tier 4 application.
15 January 2009
Government's new bill shakes up the route to citizenship. A bill to make newcomers to the UK earn the right to stay here, strengthen the border, and ensure there is a firm but fair immigration system was published in Parliament today.
5 January 2009
Universities and colleges sign up to new system for foreign students. By registering as licensed sponsors they are pledging to take responsibility for any foreign student they bring in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system, which is due to roll out over the next 12 months.