A new system was introduced earlier this month controlling the way in which visa nationals have to apply for visas to work and study in the UK.

The system is points-based, like the one operated in Australia. Students form a very significant percentage of the number of migrants that come to the UK every year and the government says that it is committed to encouraging people from overseas to study and train in Britain: that makes sense, because international students directly contribute £2.5 billion to the UK economy in tuition fees alone and Pamela Lenton, Doctor of Economics at the University of Sheffield (August 2007) put the total annual value of international students at nearly £8.5 billion!

Visa nationals will only be able to obtain visas to study at legitimate, accredited schools. There will also be more checks to make sure that students actually study once they have arrived and the schools and colleges will have to report to the UK Borders Agency if students are not attending their courses.

More information on the new Visa system can be found on the following website:
Border and Immigration Agency – http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/ or download the PDF document http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier4

Source: Student News.org