RISEMARK EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Specialist jobs that are no longer required in the UK will be removed from a government-approved list that helps to ensure the UK only accepts migrant workers that the country needs.

The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the Points Based System. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas via this route.

for more details kindly visit: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/october/45-migrant-jobs-reduction

The following English Language requirements apply to students whose Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is dated from 21 April 2011 onwards:

If you are applying for a Tier4 (General) visa to study a course below degree level (at NQF level 3-5), including English as a foreign language, foundation or pre-sessional courses, you will require a Secure English Language Test at B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

If you are applying to study at degree level and above you require a minimum English language level at B2 on the CEFR. If your sponsor is a Higher Education Institution (HEI), the sponsor may choose its own method of assessing your English language ability but if your sponsor is another type of institution you will require a Secure English Language Test to prove your B2 language ability. HEI´s are typically universities and other publicly funded further education colleges. Where HEI sponsors consider a student to be gifted, the English language requirement may be waived for that student.

Please visit the UK Border Agency website for further details and information on English language requirements, exemptions and Secure English Language Test providers.

A statement of changes to the Immigration Rules has today been laid before Parliament, setting out how the student visa system will be reformed from next month. The reforms, which affect Tier 4 of the points-based system, were announced last week.

To accompany the statement of changes in the Immigration Rules bringing the first set of changes into force from 21 April 2011, we have published:

a statement of intent containing full details of the reforms;revised policy guidance for Tier 4 migrants from 21 April 2011; andrevised guidance for Tier 4 sponsors from 21 April 2011. The laying of the statement of changes was anounced in a written ministerial statement by Immigration Minister Damian Green.

You can download the statement of changes, the written ministerial statement, the statement of intent and the revised guidance from the right side of the following link:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/march/65-student-visas

Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner.

From 29 November 2010, any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will need to show that they can speak and understand English, which allows them to cope with everyday life in the UK, by taking an English language test with one of our approved test providers.

You will need to meet the requirement if:

you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland; and

you are in a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled here; and

you want to apply to enter or remain in the UK as their husband, wife, civil partner, fiance(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner

Anyone wishing to come to the UK as a partner will need to demonstrate basic English at A1 level, the same level required for skilled workers admitted under Tier 2 of the points-based system.

They will need to provide evidence with their visa application that they have passed an English language test with one of our approved test providers.

Under the current rules, people applying for visas as partners must already meet a range of criteria before being allowed to enter the UK. All applicants must show that their marriage or partnership is genuine, and that they can support themselves financially.

The non-UK partner must apply for a settlement visa to come and live in the UK as a husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner. When they have been in the UK for two years, and have passed the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK test, they can apply to the UK Border Agency for permission to remain in the UK indefinitely (indefinite leave to remain).

12 July 2010. Beware of bogus UK visa websites. We have recently been made aware of a number of websites who are using similar names to official websites operated by the UK Border Agency and its commercial partners, VFS Global and WorldBridge. These websites have been making inappropriate claims about processing UK visa applications. The UK Border Agency operates through the following official websites:

UK Border Agency corporate website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

UK Border Agency Visa Services website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk

UK Border Agency online visa application system (Visa4UK): www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

WorldBridge (official commercial partner) visainfoservices.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx

VFS Global (official commercial partner) www.vfsglobal.com/applyforvisa.html#uk

We would advise you to avoid all other websites claiming to be in partnership with the UK Border Agency as they may be operating on a purely commercial basis and are not authorised to provide information on behalf of the Home Office or the UK Border Agency. Please let us know if you come across such websites