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British Government Announced New Point-based Visa Routes for International Students

Concerning international students, the UK declared openly on Thursday, September 10, 2020, that a new Visa route will be available to all international students from October 5, 2020.

The British government also proclaimed that the immigration policies and rules laid down in Parliament on September 10, 2020, for both the “student” and the “child student” route, will be accessible to everyone from October 5, 2020.

The new visa route is a points-based system, and each applicant will have to amass a total of 70 points to be eligible for a visa. Based on the set requirements, for a student to earn these points, he/she has to meet certain conditions, including the ability to speak the English language correctly and fluently, financial buoyancy, and proof of an offer from an approved educational institution.

This requirement is specifically called the “maintenance requirement,” Which is anticipated to commence from January 2020. Any prospective international student who wishes to study in the UK comes January 2021 must apply the new points-based immigration system.

One of the primary reasons for the Brexit movement was to control immigration rates adequately. This new British system for international students’ immigration also aligns with the Brexit campaign’s goals.

Under the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) suggestions and an independent advisory group sponsored by the Home office, the UK Government intends to join countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and many and states implementing the points-based system.

Concerning the Home Policy declaration made in February 2020, there’ll be no more free movement, as a new immigration bill will take effect.

One of the essential things that the immigration bill is expected to do is provide a standard and fair points-based system through which a country can attract highly skilled employees, A-okay students. They can invariably which to the development of the economy and create a highly productive economy.

Although previous students were only allowed to apply for visas three months before the academic year’s commencement, prospective students can now apply for visas as early as six months before the academic year begins.

In addition to that, students won’t need to resubmit proof of educational qualifications for the visa application process as the new points-based system is specifically designed to provide all students with equal opportunities regardless of any prospective international student’s nationality.

Upon establishing Brexit, to see what the UK is capable of achieving, we must consider the role that international students can play in the overall development of the UK. The financial, academic, and economic contributions of these students are pertinent to unleashing the UK’s plan after this transition period ends.

To establish absolute trust in the immigration reform, the UK Government is doing everything possible to propel the economy forward. By attracting talents from all over the world and disclosing to the world that the United Kingdom wishes for the crème de la crème to come and study at their top educational institutions.

Referring to information about the international education strategy publicized in March last year, he said that.

‘There would be no limit to the number of prospective international students who can apply for international study in the UK”, thereby increasing the number of international students who can study in the UK each year from present number to 600,000 by 2030.

According to Professor Colin Riordan, the Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, the UK will preferentially choose students with high academic achievements to occupy positions where they can continue to add value to the UK after their study period.

According to him, they were explicitly launching the simplified graduate route in the summer of 2021 to allow those who have acquired a degree from a UK institution, or people who have a Ph. D., and have an excellent record of abidance and conformity to stay in the UK for two or three years distinctively.

He said they’ll have the chance to work at any skill level and may even switch jobs if they find a suitable one. He further said that this development also provides an avenue for improving the previous Tier 4 route by making it more suited for sponsoring institutes and their students. Building unobstructed paths for students, and making sure that the UK remains competitive in a changing global education market.

A recent statement by the government elucidated that they are aware that several overseas students are opting to postpone their admission into UK institutions until the 2021 spring semester due to the threat presented by the recent coronavirus pandemic. To address this issue, they are introducing these new routes so that students can benefit from the new streamlined process while giving sponsoring institutions time to adapt after their autumn intake this year.

“The UK has made all efforts to solidify its commitment towards international students by offering greater flexibility and ease of immigration for applicants,” the statement continued.

Tim Bradshaw, the Chief Executive of the Russell Group of leading universities, stated that he embraced the new immigration rule modifications, ensuring that the UK remains internationally attractive to students.

He further added that they are working tirelessly to protect the UK’s prestige as a global leader in higher education, research, and innovation. Besides, this provides copious opportunities for the economic recovery of towns and cities across Britain. It also includes uncovering solutions to the challenges that face society.

Continuing his statement, he further said that “As we look into the future of the UK, we will multiply our efforts by working with government agencies to ensure that our visa system is flexible and responsive to developing issues. These include those emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.”

This new development will take effect from the first day of January 2021; once Boris Johnson led the government’s freedom of movement with the European Union (EU) has ended. The Home Office indicated that European Union citizens would receive the same treatment as non-EU citizens. By 2021, they will no longer enter the United Kingdom using a simple ID card. It means that EU students, alongside other international students, will have to obtain a study visa for the UK.

Home Office announced that people entering the UK from any country in the world for either work or study, and not for some short-term business or short-term study, will have to pay a certain fee to obtain a visa.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.