New UK student visa regulations

BRUNEIAN students who wish to study in the United Kingdom need to go through new visa regulations before entering university, according to a press statement issued by the British High Commission in Brunei yesterday.

As of March 31, students will be able to apply for their visas though "Tier 4" of the new streamlined Points-Based System.

"The new system will now enable people to see whether they are eligible for a visa before they even apply, making the system much clearer and easier to understand," Deputy High Commissioner Julian Miller was quoted as saying in the statement.

Touted as more transparent under the new regulations, Bruneian students would need to prove that they have been accepted in a course run by an education institution which is a UK Border Agency (UKBA) licensed "Tier 4" sponsor, prove that they have the means to support themselves, and supply their biometric details at the British High Commission.

Applying for a general student visa or child student visa under the tier should be done in the country of nationality or where an applicant is a legal resident.

Students no longer have to worry about applying to an approved institution as independent fee-paying schools, colleges and universities who accept international students now need a licence to assist the UK government in cracking down bogus colleges.

Currently, over 1,000 institutions have signed up to sponsor international students.

The deputy high commissioner said that there are currently thousands of Bruneian students studying in the UK.

He said that the system relies on the paperwork "being absolutely right" so it was important that applicants follow the guidance on the website, www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en.

For the applicant to be successful under the tier, the applicant will need a current passport or travel document; visa letter from the institution the applicant is planning to study at, proof of maintenance funds, evidence of any qualifications the sponsoring institution took account of when deciding to accept the applicant on the course they plan to study and other supporting documents.

Applicants will also need to make an appointment with the British High Commission to provide biometric details (10 digit finger scans and digital photograph) as part of the application process.

An application will be refused or banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if an applicant uses a false document, lies or withhold relevant information.

Those looking to study in the UK for six months or less, and do not wish to take any employment while in the UK, or extend their stay while they are in the country, can enter the UK on student visitor visa.

If granted a visa, the new regulations will allow international students to take part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during term time, full-time work during the holidays and take any course-related work placements. (SHR1)

The Brunei Times