 |
answer text |
<p>We continue to explore whether we could make our offer to international students
even more attractive, without increasing the risk of immigration abuse, and we are
committed to supporting UK universities in attracting international students and talent
from around the world. The Tier 4 visa pilot reflects this ambition.</p><p> </p><p>The
pilot helps to streamline the visa process for international students looking to study
on a Masters’ course, in the UK, of 13 months or less. The pilot means that universities
are responsible for eligibility checks, so that students applying for their visa can
submit fewer documents alongside their visa applications. All students continue to
be subject to Immigration Rules and must still undergo stringent Home Office security
and identity checks.</p><p> </p><p>The pilot also helps to support students who wish
to switch into a work route and take up a graduate role, by extending the leave period
following the end of their study, to up to six months.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office
will be rolling out the Tier 4 visa pilot more widely for international students in
the 18/19 intake. A further 23 institutions have been selected, based on having the
consistently lowest visa refusal rates for their region or country. The expansion
of the pilot will allow us to consider the impact of the pilot on a more diverse group
of sponsors.</p><p> </p><p>Once evaluated, we will consider whether to introduce the
offer being tested with the pilot into the Immigration Rules and make it policy. The
evaluation will report interim findings with a final report in the spring of 2019.</p>
|
|
