ASIC News

January 2012

• 26th - English language tests for applications under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system.UKBA have made some amendments to the list of approved English language tests for applications made under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system and for spouse or partner applications.
• 10th - Update for Tier 4 sponsors: educational oversight and other changesAll current Tier 4 sponsors, if they are not already subject to inspection or review by 1 of the designated educational oversight bodies, must apply to the appropriate body by the relevant deadline as detailed in the current sponsor guidance.

December 2011

• 12th - Changes to appeals against immigration and asylum decisions from 19 December 2011The Ministry of Justice will be introducing appeal fee charges for some asylum and immigration appeals from 19 December 2011. For more information please click the above title.

October 2011

• 26th - Arrangements for Tier 4 sponsors allocated zero CAS under the interim limitThe UK Border Agency has announced new arrangements for Tier 4 sponsors who were granted their sponsor licence between 16 December 2010 and 28 February 2011, and were allocated zero confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) under the Tier 4 interim limit.
• 25th - List of financial institutions for Tier 4 is publishedUK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions in some countries that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. A list of these can be found by clicking the above title.

September 2011

• 15th - Response to feedback on policy for Tier 4 highly trusted sponsorsOn 5 September 2011 UKBA announced thier new criteria for highly trusted sponsors under Tier 4 of the points-based system. For more information and to download thier FAQ, please click on the above title.
• 5th - Highly Trusted Sponsorship for Tier 4 sponsors – new guidance publishedOn 18 July UKBA published proposed criteria to become a Highly Trusted Sponsor under Tier 4 and invited comments. Following feedback from the education sector, UKBA today have published their new guidance. For more information click the title.
• 1st - Educational Oversight: ISI or QAA? Further guidance now availableISI and QAA have today published a joint statement to aid those colleges and institutions looking for further clarification as to which organisation they should apply to for Educational Oversight Inspection.

July 2011

• 29th - Confirmation of educational oversight arrangement for Tier 4 sponsorsAs part of the reforms of the student visa route, all Tier 4 sponsors will need to obtain highly trusted sponsor status and also receive a satisfactory review or inspection by one of the publicly recognised inspection bodies approved for Tier 4 purposes.
• 19th - Highly Trusted Sponsorship for Tier 4 Sponsors - proposed criteriaThe UK Border Agency has completed its review of the criteria to become a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) under Tier 4 of the points-based system.
• 7th - QAA Conference SpeechThis speech was given by immigration minister Damia Green on 7 July at Regent's college. This version of the speech is as spoken. For more of the speech please click on the title.

June 2011

• 30th - Student review - clarification for Tier 4 sponsorsIn response to queries from sponsors, we have issued a clarification addressing aspects of the current review of the student immigration stsyem.
• 13th - Educational oversight of Tier 4 sponsors: enhanced role for QAA and ISIIn March the Home Secretary announced changes to Tier 4 of the points-based system for student visas.
• 13th - Next set of changes to student visa rules is announcedThe next set of changes to the Immigration Rules affecting Tier 4 - the student tier - of the points-based system has been laid in Parliament today.
• 7th - Educational oversight in higher education: A conference briefing for colleges recruiting internationQAA is hosting a one-day conference to provide more information about educational oversight, together with an opportunity to discuss the new arrangements. The conference will take place on 7 July 2011 at the Regent's College Conference Centre in London.
• 1st - ASIC - ISO 9001 - for Quality Management in International CollegesASIC are running two seminars on Wednesday 8th June 2011 aimed at Principals and Quality Managers from International Colleges and will enable colleges to appreciate the benefits that ISO 9001 can bring to their approach to quality management.

May 2011

• 21st - Restrictions on 'new evidence' at points-based system appealFrom 23 May 2011, Section 19 of the UK Borders Act 2007 will restrict the evidence that an applicant can rely on at an appeal hearing.

April 2011

• 27th - Damian Green answers immigration questionsImmigration Minister Damian Green has today responded on YouTube to a selection of questions about immigration asked by members of the public. For the video please click the title above.
• 19th - Highly Trusted sponsors under Tier 4The UK Border Agency has recently announced changes to the Tier 4 sponsor requirements, and in due course we will expect all sponsors to apply for and achieve Highly Trusted sponsor status.

March 2011

• 31st - Details of changes to student visasA statement of changes to the Immigration Rules has today been laid before Parliament, setting out how the student visa system will be reformed from next month. The reforms, which affect Tier 4 of the points-based system, were announced last week.
• 22nd - Government outlines overhaul of student visasTougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post-study work route are among the changes to the student visa system announced today by Home Secretary Theresa May.
• 17th - Home Affairs Committee publishes report on student visasIn a report released today the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee cautioned the Government against introducing measures which could damage the UK’s thriving educational export sector.

February 2011

• 26th - Competition will be Willetts’ fee fighterTo keep prices down, loans will be extended to private-sector students and caps on places will be loosened, but minister wants more time to prepare White Paper.
• 22nd - Pursuit of artificial immigration targets will cause real damage to UK universities and collegesTens of thousands of genuine international students are at risk of being turned away from British universities and colleges, costing the UK billions of pounds, in pursuit of an artificial target for cutting immigration.
• 21st - UKBA's Proposed Restrictions on Tier 4 visas: implications for recruitment of overseas studentsProfessor Edward Acton analyses the Government's proposals to class international students as migrants with the resulting restriction on student visas, and shows the devastating effect this will have on the recruitment of international students and so the financial health of universities, as well as the damage it will cause to the UK economy.

January 2011

• 7th - Government reappoints Migration Advisory Committee membersThe government has reappointed the members of the Migration Advisory Committee for a further term.

December 2010

• 14th - Extended student visitor visa for migrants studying English language coursesFrom 10 January 2011, English language students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses will be able to apply for a student visitor visa allowing them to stay for up to 11 months. The extended student visitor visa will only be available to applicants outside the UK.
• 8th - Government sets out proposals for major reform of the student visa systemTougher entrance criteria, limits on work and an end to students staying in the UK to look for a job are just some of the changes proposed by Immigration Minister Damian Green today as part of a shake-up of the student visa system.
• 2nd - ASIC Health & Safety Seminar Dec 8th 2010This seminar will cover some general Health & Safety principles and a practical approach to Health & Safety as well as Employment Law. Our CEO Maurice Dimmock, will also be addressing the seminar about the speech given by Theresa May recently and the implications plus our proposed response to the Government.

November 2010

• 23rd - Government sets first annual limit for non-European workersA raft of new measures will strictly control the numbers that can come to the UK and work from outside Europe, the Home Secretary announced today.
• 23rd - Revised policy guidance following Pankina judgmentshe UK Border Agency has today published revised policy guidance for applicants under the points-based system whose applications were refused solely because they did not meet the maintenance (funds) requirement.
• 3rd - Students face tuition fees rising to £9,000Universities in England will be able to charge tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year, as the government transfers much of the cost of courses from the state to students.

October 2010

• 3rd - Changes to sponsor guidance come into effectThe UK Border Agency has published revised guidance for sponsors and would-be sponsors under Tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the points-based system.

September 2010

• 22nd - Improved online information for applicants abroadUKBA have made improvements to their visa services website.
• 8th - New versions of forms and guidance for points-based system applicants

August 2010

• 13th - Secure English language tests for Tier 4Secure English language testing will be mandatory for adult students studying below degree level (excluding those on foundation degrees or English language courses) under Tier 4 of the Points Based System.

July 2010

• 22nd - Minister presents rules changes to Parliament for interim migration limitImmigration minister Damian Green has laid before Parliament changes to the Immigration Rules. For more information please click on the title above.
• 13th - Changes to Tier 4 policy guidanceUKBA have published an addendum to the policy guidance for migrants who are applying to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

June 2010

• 17th - Revised application form and guidance for the Highly Trusted sponsorRevised versions of the application form and guidance for the Highly Trusted sponsors licence (under the points-based system) have been published today.

May 2010

• 14th - Tier 4 changes for education providers and migrant studentsChanges to the Immigration Rules came into force recently, affecting migrant students and educational providers which sponsor them under Tier 4 of the points-based system.
• 12th - Key Dates for Highly Trusted Sponsor SchemeIf you are a Tier 4 (General) sponsor and you want to sponsor students as a Highly Trusted sponsor, there are certain key dates that you need to remember.
• 5th - New immigration fees from 6 April 2010Following Parliamentary approval, the new immigration fees announced on 20 January and 10 February 2010 will be introduced from Tuesday 6 April 2010 for all those applying to study, visit, work in or stay in the UK.
• 5th - Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications from 3 March 2010New requirements for student applications under Tier 4 of the points-based system have come into effect from 3rd March.
• 5th - Tier 4 changes for education providers and migrant studentsChanges to the Immigration Rules came into force recently, affecting migrant students and educational providers which sponsor them under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

February 2010

• 26th - Tier 4 Key MessagesThis document details key points of the Tier 4 points based system.

November 2008

• 10.11.08 - Tier 4 Key MessagesThis document details key points of the Tier 4 points based system.

October 2008

• 30.10.08 - Tier 4 Implementation PlanThis document sets out our implementation plan for tier 4 of the points-based system.
• 30.10.08 - Roll-out of new rules for foreign studentsA delivery plan for the student tier of the Australian-style points system was announced by the Home Office today. To read more click on the link above.
• 28.10.08 - Online Sponsor ApplicationOn completion of a sponsor licence application, you are required to print the system-generated submission sheet, and send it to us alongside your payment and supporting documents for processing.
• 20.10.08 - Applications for student extensions this AutumnThis autumn, it is especially important to get the message out to students that they must not make any assumptions about how long it will take for their applications for Home Office extensions to be processed.
• 06.10.08 - Ministerial change announcedPhil Woolas MP joins the Home Office as Minister of State for borders and immigration following the Cabinet reshuffle. He replaces Liam Byrne, who has moved on to a role at another department.

September 2008

• 25.09.08 - First ID card unveiled by Home Secretary as scheme builds momentumThe first UK Identity Card was unveiled today by the Home Secretary. For more information please follow the link above.
• 11.09.08 - Tier 1 (Post-study work) of the points-based system - policy guidanceOn 11 September 2008 new versions of the guidance notes for Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 1 (Post-study Work) applications were released.

August 2008

• 20.08.08 - Points-based system - Key DocumentsThis page provides the key documents on the proposed points based immigration system.
• 15.08.08 - Identity Card for Foreign Nationals

July 2008

• 30.07.08 - TIER 4 Statement of Intent releasedThe UK Border Agency today published its statement of intent for Tier 4 of the new Points-Based System for immigration, proposing strict new rules for foreign nationals seeking to study in the UK.
• 01.07.08 - ASIC have a new date for their Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register Seminar - Thursday 10th July 2008Bookings are now being taken for this new seminar so for more information and to download a booking form please click on the title above.

May 2008

• 06.05.08 - Two New Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register Seminars Announced - Wednesday 21st May & Wednesday 11th June 2008Bookings are now being taken for two new seminar dates that ASIC have announced. For more information and to download a booking form please click on the title above.
• 06.05.08 - Publication Statements of Intent Tier 2 & Tier 5On Tuesday 6th May 2008, the government published detailed Statements of Intent on Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the Points Based System, which are the next steps in their major reform of the immigration system. For more information please click on the title above.

April 2008

• 03.04.08 - UK Border Agency LaunchesThe UK Border Agency was launched today which brings together the work of the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs detection work at the border from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and UKvisas from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

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December 2007

• 19.12.07 - MP Liam Byrne sets out new proposals to ensure visitors to the UK comply with the conditions of their visaThis consultation document provides a platform for discussion on how we take forward reform of the visitor routes. The consultation will last for 12 weeks ending on 10 March 2008. The results will be published within three months of the deadline for responses.

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November 2007

• 28.11.07 - UKvisas Launches New VISA Application FormsFrom 29 October 2007 all visa applicants will need to use these new, improved forms to make an application.
• 27.11.07 - ASIC Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register January 2008 Seminar - Registration now openBookings are now being taken for the second ASIC Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register Seminar, which is being held in London on Wednesday 31st October 2007. For more information and to download a booking form please click on the title above.
• 26.11.07 - Academic Technology Approved Scheme (ATAS)From November 2007, it will be mandatory for students undertaking programmes identified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at PhD and Masters level, to apply to the FCO on-line for a "clearance certificate".
• 15.11.07 - Notice to all colleges Re: DfES/DIUS Register of Education and Training ProvidersColleges are not permitted to advertise their inclusion on the Register of Education and Training Providers.
• 02.11.07 - ASIC's seminars go from strength to strengthASIC organised their second seminar on the new Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register in London on Wednesday 31st October, which was held at the New Connaught Rooms and proved like the first seminar, to be a real success.

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October 2007

• 25.10.07 - ASIC Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register October Seminar - Now Fully BookedBookings are now being taken for the second ASIC Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register Seminar, which is being held in London on Wednesday 31st October 2007. For more information and to download a booking form please click on the title above.

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September 2007

• 28.09.07 - ASIC's first seminar proves a big hitASIC organised a seminar on the new Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register in London on Tuesday 25th September.
• 21.09.07 - ASIC Points Based Visa System and the Sponsors Register Seminar - Now Fully Booked

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July 2007

• ASIC are Border & Immigration Agency approved for the purposes of sponsorship under the Points Based SystemThe Government has announced a mandatory new requirement for educational establishments wishing to bring in international students under the Points Based System (PBS) which is set to be introduced for students early in 2009.
• Change in Immigration Rules for UK - Students and InstitutionsExplanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules laid on 3 April 2007
• New points based Visa system for international students coming to the UKA new points- based system to enable the UK to control migration more effectively, tackle abuse and identify the most talented workers was launched by the Home Secretary.
• New rules for colleges who teach overseas studentsAny college recruiting students from abroad will in future need to be registered on a new Home Office Sponsors' Register. To qualify for the register they will have to show they have been accredited by an approved body.
• College immigration fronts to be targetedThe government is to crack down on fake colleges that enlist immigrants who come to Britain to work while pretending to be students, it has emerged.
• Fake schools targeted by visa lawBogus schools and colleges are to be targeted in a new drive to bring down the number of fake students being given visas to come to the UK.
• Border & Immigration Agency Launch