Before reopening schools in the UK, the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has intimated the public of new measures to facilitate easy processing of visas by international students. The rules in visa processing are now flexible. With this flexibility, international students can apply for their visa even when they are yet to gain admission. It gives the students room to get their visa as soon as they are ready to travel. More so, it covers for health precautions during the visa processing stage.
This approach is a preventive measure by VFS Global, and it covers all visa processing centers in the UK. All the visa application centers are adhering strictly to COVID-19 preventive measures. Firstly, they ensure that the appointment system is compulsory. They will test the body temperature of all Visa applicants before allowing them to enter. More so, they will observe strict social distancing within the vicinity of the visa application point.
We recall that the pandemic has thwarted education and other sectors globally. There was an imposition of travel restrictions in the UK and in almost all countries around the world, including the United States. Within this period, students and schools have resorted to remote learning. Schools yet to adopt remote learning are planning to start virtual classes.
This new provision by the UKVI is welcoming news for international students. They can start applying for their Visas so long they are ready to travel overseas if they already gained admission into any UK universities.
A report by the Graduate Immigration Route is also welcoming. It indicates the elongation of student’s stay from the summer of 2021. Masters and PhD students who have completed their studies can stay and work in the UK for up to two and three years, respectively.
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The last academic year ended in March 2020. The records have it that they gave 50,000 UK visas to international students from India. This shows a massive increase of about 136 percent when compared to the previous year.
The move by UKVI is a welcome development for international students intending to pursue their degrees in the UK. VFS Global is an official service partner with UKVI. VFS specializes in outsourcing specialized services for diplomatic missions and governments across the globe.
This flexibility in visa application was also a highlight in a news-release by Erudera College News report. As stated in the news, students can immediately start their visa application instead of waiting for admission.
Data released by UKVI indicates that they gave about 18,500 UK study visas to international students. This was during the previous academic year, which ended in March 2020.
Part of the provision by UKVI includes strict health precautions against coronavirus spread. UKVI is doing its best to ensure a safe and environmentally-friendly arena for visa registration. This applies to all customers, including international students at all UK visa processing centers.
VFS is championing this program’s course. They have vast experience in implementing similar projects in the past. They will carry out compulsory body temperature checks at all the visa registration points. The enforcement of social distancing and the appointment system will be mandatory.
Vinay Malhotra is a Regional Group Chief Operating Officer of VFS. He said that they are doing everything possible to guarantee a safe and sound visa processing for international students. Vinay Malhotra is in charge of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and the Americas. He expressed the company’s assurances. And that the UK will serve as a haven for students who will apply for Visa for tertiary studies in the UK.
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In the same vein, David Ratcliffe, in charge of UK Visas and immigration in South and Southeast Asia, stated:
”For international students that intend to study in the UK, we care about your safety. We will ensure that your visa application process is safe. More so, we have set up a new Graduate route. It will allow international students in the UK to apply for an extra post-study to stay in the UK. They can kick start their careers, as they will live and stay for two or more years.”
There no need for Visas, as students can start learning from home via virtual learning performs.
The coronavirus surge has led to restrictions in international travel in the UK. Of course, it is a global scenario, and it has crippled the education sector. The academic calendar was on the verge of interruption. But to curb the trend, provisions are being made for students to study remotely.
In line with this, students can process their applications for a tier-4 visa to study anytime in the UK, and they are ready to travel. There is no need for them to wait for the commencement of their studies. Students can start applying for a UK Study visa whenever they are ready.
Since June 6, 2020, there has been a step-by-step reopening at various UK Visa Application Centres in India.
Read More: UK Government Offers One “Grace Period” for Visa Extension for International Students
The Graduate Immigration Route will begin in 2021: Which set of students is it for?
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree graduates can live and work in the UK for two years, but its three years for PhD Graduates – College news.
There is a massive modification in the Graduate Immigration Route. It is now inclusive of students that started their courses online. They can send in their application for Graduate Route if they can prove that they were in the United Kingdom before April 6, 2021. And that they completed the final semester of their studies in the UK.
Data released by UKVI indicates that they gave about 18,500 UK study visas to international students. This was during the previous academic year, which ended in March 2020. A breakdown of the figures shows that the students were from the following countries:
They approved more than 900 applications for students from the United Arab Emirates. This was about 98 percent of all applications from the country.
They approved about 9000 applications for students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was about 98 percent of all applications from the country.
They approved more than 2000 applications for students from Oman. This was about 99 percent of all applications from the country.
They approved more than 4000 applications for students from Kuwait. This was about 99 percent of all applications from the country.
They approved almost 1000 applications for students from Bahrain. This was about 99 percent of all applications from the country.
They approved almost 1500 applications for students from Qatar. This was about 99 percent of all applications from the country.
Taking a peep into the UKVI’s records, we saw that the last academic year ended in March 2020. The papers have it that they gave 50,000 UK visas to international students from India. This shows a massive increase of about 136 percent when compared to the previous year.
In contrast, they granted 300,000 visas to students across the globe during the academic year, which ended in March 2020.
