News
Read about the latest immigration changes and news which may affect you.
Changes for international students
On 23 May, the UK Government announced some important changes for international students. These changes include:
- Removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.
- Removing the ability for international students to switch out of the student route into work routes before their studies have been completed.
- Reviewing the maintenance requirements for students and dependants.
Please visit UKCISA - international student advice and guidance for full updates.
We have no other details about these changes yet, but we will issue further news items when we have updated information from the government.
End of Police Registration Scheme
The Government has decided to abolish the Police Registration Scheme. The scheme, which requires some migrants to register with the police, is suspended with immediate effect.
The Home Office is abolishing the requirement to register with the police as the police registration scheme in its current form is outdated and no longer provides any public protection benefit to either the Home Office or the police. The data a migrant provides to the police on registration is already captured by the Home Office at the visa application stage, and is available to the police on request via Immigration Enforcement, so there is no need for it to be provided twice.
For further information please see our Police Registration webpage
UKVI Priority and Super Priority Student visa services resume
UKVI advised us that it resumed Priority Visa (PV) and Super Priority Visa (SPV) services for new Student route visa applications on Friday 12 August 2022.
UKVI has provided a series of questions and answers (Q&A), addressed to Student route applicants:
- How long will my Student visa take?
- I have already submitted my application at the VAC. Will I be able to get retrospective Priority or Super Priority visa for my student visa application?
- I booked my VAC appointment last week, and want to upgrade to the priority service - why can’t I do this?
- What if I want to withdraw my standard application and apply using Priority or Super Priority now that it’s available?
- What can I do to help speed up my Student visa application?
Student visa applications are currently taking on average 3 weeks to process. UKVI is currently experiencing very high global demand and summer is peak period for student visa applications so there may be delays receiving a decision.
On 12 August UKVI resumed Priority Visa (PV) and Super Priority Visa (SPV) services for new student visa applications (in existing locations).
No. Retrospective Priority and Super Priority visa services are not available once you have submitted your fingerprints at the VAC.
To help manage the significant global demand for visa applications UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will only accept priority visa applications for new Study and Work visa applications made after 12 August. Priority services are only available via the online booking system. This will enable UKVI to continue to deliver standard applications and gradually reduce the overall processing time for all customers.
You can withdraw an existing or ongoing standard Work or Study visa application. To see if PV/SPV is offered in your location please check the commercial partner website for the location where you will submit your application.
There are a few steps you can take to make your application journey smoother and help avoid delays:
- Before you start your application check that you have all the documents you need. This will mean UKVI won’t need to contact you for further documentation.
- Make sure you have your documents ready and try not to rush your application. Check the information you have provided is correct.
- Make sure the funds (proof to show you have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK) are stored in your (or your parent’s/legal guardian’s) bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply for your visa. We also advise you add a little extra money to the account to allow for currency fluctuations.
Appointments are continually being released so if you are not able to get an appointment time to suit you, please keep checking back on the VFS Global and TLScontact websites.
Some locations have more than one appointment centre so if you are not able to find a suitable appointment at your preferred location, you may wish to check availability at other locations near you.
You should consider applying as early as you can so that you have plenty of time to attend your appointment and receive your visa before your course is due to start. Applications can be made up to 6 months before the course start date.
International students on visas being targeted by fraud
We are aware that a number of students across UK universities have been targeted by fraudsters and have lost large sums of money.
One very serious scam is targeting Chinese students directly– it can involve WeChat and mobile contacts.
Students are contacted on their mobile phone by people claiming to represent their bank, embassy, police or other reputable agency and are told they owe funds immediately or that their family owe money.
A recent scam targeted an Indian student.
They were called by someone introducing themselves as from HMRC (the UK tax collection agency) and the caller then pretended to connect the call directly to a caseworker at the Crown Court in Birmingham (and that number appeared to be the genuine number of the Crown Court).
The student was told that:
- They had failed to pay an immigration tax and that there were now four charges against them.
- There was an arrest warrant against them and if the student disconnected the call the police would arrest them immediately and all their bank accounts would be frozen.
- The student was told that if they made the payment immediately while they are on the call then all the allegations will be withdrawn. The student was scared and made the transfer. And after almost 1 hour the caller disconnected the call. When the student tried to call the Crown Court back and asked to speak to the alleged case officer they were informed that no such officer worked there.
Please remember that the Home Office or UKVI will never a call an international student to request personal details or payments.
Do not make payments or give personal information from people making calls like this.
If you think you may have been targeted or have any concerns please contact us or call 020 7040 7040, or University Security if outside 0900-1700, 020 7040 3172.
Further advice on frauds and scams is available on the UKCISA website and the Government website.
Phishing and scam advice is also available from City's IT department
Upcoming events
Working in the UK: Navigating the Graduate Visa Route for International Student Career Success
The Graduate Route, also known as ‘Post Study Work’ (PSW) is an immigration route that allows current Student Route Visa holders in receipt of a CAS from City who successfully complete an eligible qualification to work for two years (PhD students three years) after their studies.
This session is offered by the International Student Advice Team and Careers and Employability and looks at the requirements and application process for the Graduate Route together with tools for your job search in the UK. the sessions include time for questions.
These sessions are for 2nd and Final Year students on a Tier 4/Student visa who wish to stay and work in the UK after their course.
In person at Northampton Square
Please sign up via the careers hub using the links below. You will need to sign in with your usual credentials.
Online Zoom
Please sign up via the careers hub using the links below. You will need to sign in with your usual credentials.