University Visa Scheme
By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor
The Home Office has expanded a pilot programme that makes immigration processing easier for international master's students wanting to study in the UK. The scheme is currently based on four well regarded universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Bath & Imperial College London) and reduces the processing times for students applying to these prestigious universities. It also increases the time that they can remain in the UK after their studies. The move is a welcome change from the Government and will help the UK to retain the key skills it may have lost otherwise.
The scheme allows students to remain in the UK for six months after finishing their studies to give them more time to find a job and switch visa routes. The benefit for business is there for all to see as they get access to some of the best and brightest students coming out of Britain's best universities. The extension to six months (from four) can make a huge difference to the prospects of the students and gives them more time to find a suitable role.
The new expanded list also covers the following universities:
Cardiff University
Goldsmiths University of London
Harper Adams University
Newcastle University
Queen's University Belfast
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
University of Bristol
Durham University
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of Wales Trinity St. David (Swansea campus)
University of Warwick
University of York
The news is excellent for non-EEA students who are looking to study in the UK, or already are. As Brexit looms large, the British Government has been keen to try and harness the quality of students who are already in the country studying and converting them into fully working migrants. The UK has always and will likely continue to welcome the brightest students from around the world. It has some of the world's best universities and the brightest students coming out of them.
The Government has taken an understandably lean view on these students coming straight out of the UK's highest rated universities, they know that these students represent excellent quality and the bright stars that the UK will need in the future. With Brexit only a matter of months away, the UK will have to try and keep hold of talented migrants. There threatens to be a huge shortage of skilled and qualified immigrants going forward, so this is a good news story for immigration.
How we can help
As immigration solicitors, we can help with converting your Tier 4 student visa to a Tier 2 visa for working in the UK. We can also help with any and all other immigration queries. So for help and advice, get in touch today.
