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Visa Update – April 2013. Lorraine Clark International Student Services Coordinator (Immigration). Brunel International Immigration Office. Responsible for giving immigration advice, to both potential and existing students and Agents
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Visa Update – April 2013 Lorraine Clark International Student Services Coordinator (Immigration)
Brunel International Immigration Office • Responsible for giving immigration advice, to both potential and existing students and Agents • Able to offer a Tier 4 application service, using the UK Border Agency Home Office’s Student Batch Scheme, for Brunel University and LIBT students already in the UK. This service includes: • A thorough check of their application and supporting documents • Dealing with all correspondence, allowing the students to relax and concentrate on their studies.
Services we can provide Throughout the year we also offer: • Drop-in visa enquiry sessions • Prompt, detailed responses to emailed enquiries • A checking service for those who apply for their visas by themselves • Published information sheets • Media screens across campus displaying updates
Renewing a Tier 4 visa • For students already in the UK and progressing to follow-on courses, we offer the Special Batch Scheme. This includes: • Complete guidance throughout the process • Help with completing the application • Checking all the supporting documents • Sending the application through the Special Batch Scheme • Dealing with all correspondence until the new visa arrives • Less chance of application rejection or refusal. • Students are able to enrol and start their next course, while waiting for the visa to be processed
Changes to the UK Visa system During 2012-13 have included: • The introduction of online Tier 4 applications for applications made inside the UK • Further additions to the list of ‘Low Risk’ countries • Interviews - concentrated on applicants from countries considered to be ‘high risk’ • Tuberculosis screening for certain nationalities • Changes to rules about overstaying • Visa curtailments issued to students who do not enrol or who leave their studies early • Increase in processing times for ATAS applications • Closure of the Tier 1 (Post Study Work) route and the introduction of the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme and the new Doctorate Extension Scheme
Be aware…. • UKBA guidelines and policy continue to change frequently • Students must make sure they keep up-to-date with changes in policy and law • Sources of information include: • The Immigration Rules • Tier 4 Policy Guidance
A TIER 4 visa affects many things… • Types of course students are permitted to study • Length of course permitted • Whether a student can change institutions • Permission to work • Whether a student can bring dependants - All of these things also depend on WHEN students applied for their visa and if they will be studying with a Highly Trusted Sponsor
Contact the Immigration Office Email: Immigration@brunel.ac.uk • Lorraine Clark International Student ServicesCoordinator (Immigration) Tel: +44 (0) 1895 267709 Email: lorraine.clark@brunel.ac.uk • International Student Services Officer (Immigration) Tel: +44 (0) 1895 267489 Email: Immigration@brunel.ac.uk