The reform eases the UK visa application process for international students. The government has slackened the Tier 4 Student Visa by dropping the tests for English language writing, reading and speaking. Also, applicants no longer need to provide evidence of previous academic study or proof of maintenance and finances. The ‘low risk’ countries already included the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and they are now joined by China, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Serbia, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Macau, and the Maldives. By granting China these extra Student Visa freedoms, with their students making up a third of total international students in the UK, more students are being encouraged to come to the UK, and contribute to a thriving and growing economy. The policy change comes after the government faced a backlash for targeting students in their attempt to reduce net migration.
Criticisms of the new visa rules
In making the changes to the Tier 4 Student Visa, the Home Office was criticised for excluding some countries from their ‘low risk’ list – for example, India – which is the UK’s third largest source of international students after the USA and China. Other surprising omissions are Malaysia and Hong Kong – who are also in the top ten countries sending students to the UK. Students from these countries will still be required to comply with the stringent requirements and regulations. The change still looks promising for global students who want to study in the UK. It is a step forward, and hopefully, further reforms in the future will include more of the countries that are currently exempt.
Scarsdale Solicitors Rochdale
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