Recently on 10 September 2020, the Government has announced that the United Kingdom’s existing Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) student routes will be replaced by the new Student and Child Student routes. The new routes will be open for applications on 5 October 2020. From 5 October 2020, all international students, including those from the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to study in the United Kingdom will need to apply through the new Student routes.
Under the new routes, the government has increased switching within the study routes and between routes within the Points Based Immigration system so students can apply for further leave to remain without going back to their home countries. This will be on the condition that they meet the Academic Progression requirement and the new course of study commences within 28 days of the expiry of their current leave. However, this excludes the following individuals who last held leave:
• As a visitor;
• As a short-term student;
• As a Parent of a Child Student;
• As a Seasonal Worker;
• As a Domestic Worker in a Private Household;
• Granted outside the immigration rules.
Additionally, students applying for further leave to remain will not be required to provide evidence of maintenance funds given that they have spent longer than one year in the UK on their current visa. And they will be able to rely on electronic bank statements as evidence of maintenance.
Moreover, concerning the English language requirement, Malta and Ireland will be considered as majority speaking English language countries. In other words, a non-Irish national with a degree from an Irish university will be able to rely on their degree to satisfy the English language requirement. Moreover, Child Student applicants who have gained GCSE/A Level or Scottish Highers in English whilst at school in the UK will also be able to rely on this to satisfy the English language requirement.
The replacement of the Tier 4 routes will probably impact mostly on students of EEA nationalities, as they will no longer be able to enter the UK based on Free Movement and will have to apply for a visa before entering the UK.
However, the Home Office will make the new routes more streamlined to ensure that the UK is open to talented students from all over the world.
You can read more about the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules via the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-707-10-september-2020?utm_source=ad0d6a04-0c1e-44b9-85fd-4233329ca67d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
If you wish to talk to us about the new Student and Child Student routes, please contact our friendly team of London immigration lawyers at Barar and Associates at barar.london@bararassociates.co.uk or call us on 020 7487 8370. You can access more information about us via https://bararassociates.com/.
