UK Immigration News

The Indian Government has stated that educational cooperation is an "important facet" of Indo-UK ties. They will be in contact with the British High Commission to "better understand the reasons" for the temporary freeze on UK student visa applications by those based in Northern India.

UK immigration has announced a ban on applications from students in North India, Bangladesh and Nepal. From 1 February 2010 no new applications will be accepted under the Tier 4 student visa of the points at the following visa application centres:

There will be further changes to the UK Border Agency's sponsorship management system from Monday 22 February 2010. The sponsorship management system is an IT system that allows licensed sponsors to bring in overseas workers and students into the UK.

Following consultation with sponsors and feedback from key stakeholders the following changes have been made:

The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, Phil Woolas, has put forward regulations in Parliament for the fees for immigration and nationality services. The fees for many services are higher than the normal administrative cost for the services.

It should be noted that from 22 February 2010 those applying for UK student visas by post at an UK Public Enquiry Office under Tier 4 of the points based system will require a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from their prospective sponsor.

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies a special interest group feels that the Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) visa category of the points-based system has resulted in Indian IT companies bringing in lower paid overseas workers to the UK.