UKBA Update

Further to the changes announced by the UKBA last week, please find below the main points that concerns the industry:

• English language level: Students can only enrol on courses at B2 on the CEFR from Friday 23 July. This includes students who are already in the UK, but excludes students who applied for their visa before 5 October 2009.
• Approved secure tests: This is not applicable to students enrolling on an English language course. Sponsors can still assess students by whichever means they wish. This should be made clear on the CAS and students will need to submit all documents that were used to assess their level.
• CAS assigned before 23 July 2010: Applications made by students enrolling on a course at A2 on the CEFR will be accepted by UKBA as long as the CAS was assigned before 23 July 2010.
• Exemptions: The exemptions on the minimum level which applied previously to government-sponsored language students and those undertaking a pre-sessional English language course before pursuing a degree course remain in place.

Early Day Motion (EDM)

Stephen Lloyd MP and Julian Huppert MP have tabled EDM 603. The EDM has already been signed by several MPs. We would urge you to ask your MP to sign the EDM if they are allowed to. Below is the EDM.

EDM 603:

That this house disapproves of sections 17 and 18 of the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 382, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd July 2010 for implementation on 23 July 2010; and calls on the Government to bring forward rules which do not require prospective English language students to achieve B1 standard English before their studies, in recognition of the potential damage to proposed rules could do with this vital £1.5 billion industry.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP News Release

Penningtons Solicitors LLP have a news item about the statement of changes to the immigration rules on their website, which may be of interest to members.