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<p><br>The Government has regular contact with representatives of the higher education
sector, and the Scottish Government, and will continue to consult with the relevant
stakeholders during the course of our 12 month engagement with stakeholders on the
UK’s future skills-based immigration system.</p><p>Securing a deal with the European
Union remains the Government’s top priority. However, it is prudent to plan for every
scenario</p><p>The Government has been consistently clear that once the UK has left
the EU, free movement will end. In a no-deal scenario a temporary, transitional arrangement
will be implemented until the future skills-based immigration system comes into force.</p><p>In
this scenario, once free movement has ended, EEA citizens will still be able to enter
the UK as they do now during the transition period, for an initial stay of up to three
months and will be able to visit, work or study without applying for a visa. If EEA
citizens want to stay in the UK for more than three months, they will need to apply
in the UK within this time for European Temporary Leave to Remain, which may be granted
for a further 36 months.</p><p>This arrangement should cater for the needs of the
majority of international students. However, we do recognise that there are a number
of students for whose studies are longer than three years, including some studying
at Scottish universities.</p><p>In the event of no deal, EEA citizens wishing to come
to the UK to study for more than three years could obtain European Temporary Leave
to Remain and, at the conclusion of the period of leave, apply for a student visa
under the future immigration system.</p><p>Alternatively, the student could apply
at the outset for a Tier 4 visa under the existing system which would enable them
to secure leave covering the entire duration of their studies. We have been very clear
that there will continue to be no limit on the number of international students who
can come to study in the UK.</p>
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