Big News For International Students DON'T MISS

The recent announcement of revisions to the immigration regulations by home secretary Theresa May has made things even more difficult for overseas students in the UK.

May recently suggested in a private letter that schools "develop sustainable funding models that are not so dependent on international students." On the Today show on BBC Radio 4 earlier this month, commerce secretary Sajid Javid expressed his desire to "break the link" between higher education and permanent residency in the United Kingdom.

Foreign students are faced with a harsh reality: either obtain a job or leave the country.

The government has made it harder for overseas students to remain in the UK after they finish their studies as part of its unsuccessful attempt to decrease net immigration to below 100,000 per year and visa fraud.

Most significantly, in 2012, the post-study employment visa was eliminated. As a result, international graduates were able to remain in the UK and find employment for a period of two years.

This year, international students have been slammed with an NHS payment for hospital care on top of already exorbitant university tuition costs, which may be up to four times as high as those paid by UK students for certain programmes.

Contrary to what has been reported in the media, overseas students will not be expelled after their studies conclude. Students at community colleges and technical institutes, but not at universities, are subject to the new regulation.

In reality, there are a few instances in which the newest regulations are applied differently depending on whether you are enrolled in a university or a community college.

University policy changes in the UK that will effect students from outside

Arriving students will be required to provide proof of far larger savings. They will want a greater sum of money beginning in the month of November. Students from outside who are already here or who are staying for a further term will pay more, and those studying in London will pay much more. Because of the expansion of what is deemed to be London, a large number of students will be impacted. As it stands, international students must provide evidence of financial support for either two months (if they have a "established presence") or nine months (if they do not) of tuition, mandatory fees, and living expenses. With the elimination of the established presence clause, however, all students will be required to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses for either nine months or the duration of their program, whichever is shorter. A PhD student in London, for example, would need to prove they have £11,385 in the bank rather than the current £2040 in order to extend their visa by nine months.

More stringent requirements for advancing in one's studies. The National Qualifications Framework level-up requirement applies to students who want to renew their general visas after August 3. Students wanting to continue their education at the same level will only be granted this if the university finds that their proposed course is related to their past studies or helps them advance in their chosen field. Therefore, if you already hold a BA in sociology, you will not be allowed to pursue a BA in English. Those seeking a doctorate degree might keep on at the same advanced level.

It's conceivable that the wage criteria for Tier 2 visas will rise. Tier 2 visas are the most popular way for overseas students to remain and work in the UK. The government's Migration Advisory Committee is evaluating them in an effort to minimize the number of non-EEA migrants employed in the UK. Employers must presently pay at least £20,800 and sponsor a work visa in order to hire an overseas graduate on a tier 2 (general) visa, but this minimum income requirement is expected to grow. Some overseas students may be eligible for alternative visa categories that would allow them to remain in the UK and find employment. These include the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), Tier 5 (Temporary Worker), and Tier 1 (Investor) categories. Find details about them here.

Spouses and dependents may face limitations on their ability to work in the United Kingdom. Dependents are often not allowed for overseas students who are not pursuing a master's degree. However, students who are fully funded by their government for a postgraduate program that lasts more than six months may presently bring wives and other dependents. However, May reportedly has proposed a restriction on dependents working in low-skilled occupations, as reported by The Times. Since over 47% of graduate students in Stem fields come from outside the United States, this shift may have an outsized impact on those disciplines.

Alterations made to the higher education system for non-native speakers

There will be no provision for students already in the UK to extend their visa or change to a work visa. After the month of November, it will be more difficult for tier 4 (general) college students to get entry into the United Kingdom for the purposes of further education or employment.

If they are not enrolled in a school that has a formal relationship with a university in the UK, they will not be eligible to continue their studies there. This will become law on November 12 and may make it harder for high school graduates to transfer to four-year institutions.

Extension of work restrictions on international students as part of "visa fraud crackdown"

Those enrolled in FE schools supported by the government cannot hold down any part-time jobs. During the school year, they are restricted to working 10 hours per week, but have no restrictions outside of class hours. The new regulation will take effect for students applying for a Tier 4 visa on or after August 3, but it will not affect students who are currently in the country. It was taken away from international students attending private universities in 2011.

The current three-year FE student visa will be reduced to two years. The administration claims that the adjustment, which will take effect on November 12th, would aid in securing academic advancement. However, some FE programs go longer than two years, so this adjustment may limit the amount of degrees that international students may earn in the UK.

Some very influential people are on the side of international students.

Unlike May, chancellor George Osborne in the government is more open to having overseas students enroll. He apparently warned her in January that expelling international students following graduation would be bad for the economy, and he stopped her from carrying out the plan.

Nick Clegg, May's deputy prime minister, was also opposed to the concept when it was initially proposed last year. He advocated for the removal of foreign students from immigration objectives and for a more accommodating policy toward student visas, both of which have been conspicuously lacking from current Conservative administration.

May's position on international students and graduates has been criticized by prominent businesspeople including Sir James Dyson. Dyson claims that it is already challenging to sponsor young, qualified engineers via the visa system.

The regulatory revisions have been widely criticized by universities. University of Reading pro vice chancellor Vincenzo Raimo points out the government's inconsistency between its long-term objective for economic development and its strong attitude on immigration. The head of Soas University, Professor Paul Webley, has also spoken out against the proposed changes, stating, "International students bring money and - if they stay - talent to the UK that the country would not otherwise attract."

  

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