Migration Policy for Students Christian Delaney Migration Policy, Home Office

Coalition reforms “International students not only make a vital contribution to the UK economy but they also help make our education system one of the best in the world. “But it has become very apparent that the old student visa regime failed to control immigration and failed to protect legitimate students from poor quality colleges. “The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best. The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here. “My aim is not to stop genuine students coming here - it is to eliminate abuse within the system. Our stricter accreditation process will see only first class education providers given licences to sponsor students. “I am delighted to announce that alongside our stricter rules, we will implement a brand new route specifically to attract student entrepreneurs. We want to retain bright young people with innovative ideas particularly in fields like science, technology and design to help drive economic growth and productivity.“ Theresa May, March 2011 “International students not only make a vital contribution to the UK economy but they also help make our education system one of the best in the world. “But it has become very apparent that the old student visa regime failed to control immigration and failed to protect legitimate students from poor quality colleges. “The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best. The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here. “My aim is not to stop genuine students coming here - it is to eliminate abuse within the system. Our stricter accreditation process will see only first class education providers given licences to sponsor students. “I am delighted to announce that alongside our stricter rules, we will implement a brand new route specifically to attract student entrepreneurs. We want to retain bright young people with innovative ideas particularly in fields like science, technology and design to help drive economic growth and productivity.“ Theresa May, March 2011

Some context Tier 4 is the largest immigration route, with over 240,000 visas issued overseas and 120,000 extensions in 2011 Student immigration tripled in the decade to

Policy objectives Attract and retain the brightest and best students, academics and researchers, who will help drive growth in the economy, in a more selective system Eliminate abuse of student visas

Reforms in three key areas Encouraging students to leave at the end of the course: maximum time limits for study, requirement for academic progression, closing post study work but keeping a route to skilled employment Tougher rules for students: better English language skills, restricting permission to work and bring dependants Tighter sponsorship standards: ensuring all institutions meet highest standards of education quality and immigration compliance

Initial reforms Following consultation at start of 2011, we:- Imposed tougher requirements on colleges as regards educational inspection and immigration compliance Placed interim limit on students at colleges not yet meeting these tests. No permanent limit. Raised minimum English language competence Tightened maintenance requirements Removed right to work part-time except for university students Removed right to sponsor dependants except for post-graduates Require students to show academic progression when extending their visa

April package From April 2012 we closed the Post Study work route. Graduates may stay on after studies by switching into the Tier 2 skilled work route if they receive a suitable job offer We have also imposed a limit on the maximum time that can be spent in Tier 4, with exceptions Study to work placement ratio remains at 50:50 at universities but reduced to 60:30 elsewhere We raised the maintenance requirements to reflect a general increase in the cost of living since the last threshold was established in 2008

Closing Post Study Work Graduates must now switch into Tier 2 – the skilled workers route – if they wish to take a permanent job in the UK We have been working to establish sector specific Government Authorised Exchange schemes in Tier 5 to facilitate pre-registration training Those switching from Tier 4 into Tier 2 will not be subject to the Resident Labour Market Test or the Tier 2 limit Graduates switching into Tier 2 must earn £20,000 or the appropriate rate for the job according to the Tier 2 Codes of Practice

Graduate Entrepreneurs We have introduced a new scheme for students who have come up with an innovative business idea whilst at university and wish to develop their business in the UK We have lowered the funds required to switch into Tier 1 Entrepreneur route for this group, from £200,000 to £50,000 Leave will be granted for twelve months initially which may be extended up to a maximum of twenty four months Applicants need to be sponsored by a Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor. There are 1,000 places in the first year divided equally between participating HEIs. 91 have signed up.

We have prioritised universities Retained rights to work during study Post graduates can bring dependants No interim or permanent limits on CAS Flexibility on time limits No additional restrictions on work placements Flexibility on language testing, including B1 for pre- sessionals and Foundation degrees A route to remain in the UK through skilled employment or new Graduate Entrepreneur scheme Streamlined applications for low risk Streamlined application process for low risk applicants. Graduate entrepreneur scheme announced