News & Updates
Student Immigration Update - July 2020 (last updated on 24 July 2020)
- UK government announced plans for a 3-year Graduate Talent route for PhD graduates
- The UK government announced on 1 July 2020 that, as part of the new Graduate Route, international students who complete a PhD from summer 2021 can stay in the UK for 3 years after study to live and work.
- This is in addition to the Graduate Route which was announced earlier to enable international students who complete a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree in the summer 2021 and hold a valid Tier 4 visa at that time, to apply for the 2-year Graduate Route work visa.
- UK government announced plans for a 5-year residence route for British National (overseas) who reside in Hong Kong
- The UK government announced on 1 July 2020 intention to introduce this route.
- This will require a change of immigration rules. The UK government is intending to implement the new rule in the coming months, with the exact date and further details to be announced in due course. On 22 July, a Policy Statement was published giving further details.
- If you hold a British national (overseas) passport and intend to come to the UK to study from the autumn term 2020, it would be your decision as to whether you want to wait and apply under this route when it becomes available before coming to the UK, or, apply for a 6-month visa at the UK border outside of rules (you will be permitted to study with this 6-month visa- see further details on GOV), or, apply for a Tier 4 visa to come to the UK first. Please refer to our New Student FAQ for information on when you need to travel to the UK to start your course this year.
- Immigration Health Surcharge to increase from 1 October 2020
- On 11 March 2020, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans to increase Immigration Health Surcharge
- We are expecting this to come into effect from 1 October 2020, affecting students who make their Tier 4 visa application online on or after that date
- We are expect the surcharge to rise from £300 per year to £470 per year
- Tier 4 Pilot Scheme closure on 5 October 2020
- We have received official notification from the UKVI that the Tier 4 Pilot Scheme will close on 5 October 2020.
- To benefit from the scheme, you will need to have made an online Tier 4 visa application on or before 4 October 2020.