The Home Office announced the change of immigration rules on September 11, 2020. The changes mainly concern the new student rules, previously called Tier 4, which will be replaced with Student Visa and Child Student Visa from October 5, 2020 at 09:00.

UK is now coming to the end of Brexit transition period. The core of the changed immigration rules means that the new rules apply to EEA citizens. The EEA nationals applying in-country will only be able to make an application from 1st January 2021. For those applying for Entry Clearance, visas will only be granted to start on the 1st January 2021. The EEA nationals will also need to use the form which other applicants only use in-country, even when applying outside of the country. 

The list of countries with “different (i.e. easier) documentary requirements” is expanded to include EEA countries and Switzerland.

 

If an application is made before the change of student visa, the application will be considered in accordance with Tier 4.

The summary of the changed student visa is as below;

• EEA nationals need to apply student visas before they study in the UK.

• Tier 4 visa can be switched or extended into new student visa.

• The eight-year time limit on studying courses at postgraduate level has been removed (the five-year limit for degree level courses is still there).

• Everyone will be able to switch into student visas inside the UK except those who are in the UK as visitors, short-term students, parents of a child student; season workers, domestic workers in a private household or those outside of the Immigration Rules.

• One can apply for Entry Clearance up to 6 months before the start of the course (as opposed to 3 months). For in-country, the timeframe is still 3 months.

Changes to English Language Requirement

• Students will only be required to prove the required level of English language to the Home Office once.

• An applicant will meet the English language requirement if they have GCSE, A level, or Scottish Highers in English in the UK which they obtained while under 18.

• The list of English countries is expanded to include Malta and Ireland.

Changes to Financial Requirement

• The sources of funds to meet the financial requirement have also been expanded more flexibly. Under the current immigration rule, the funds must be held in cash. It will now be more about whether they can be immediately withdrawn. So funds can be in pension and investment accounts, for example, as long as the funds can be accessed immediately. Shares, bonds, credit cards won’t work.

Changes to ATAS Requirement

• EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Korea and the United States are exempt to submit ATAS certificate to apply student visas.

• The change in student visa does not include short-term student visa, so short term students studying English or other courses should refer to the previous rules.

Overall, the new statement does not seem to have substantial changes. However, new rules are expected to be slowly announced after the Brexit.