The UK Government published a Further Details Statement concerning the Points-Based system that is set to become a part of the new immigration system, launching in 2021.
The Further Details Statement documents the changes that will be made to the student route, employment routes and provides further details of the introduction of the Graduate route.
The newly branded ‘student route’ will continue to require sponsorship at a licensed provider, require students to demonstrate their English language ability and require that students demonstrate their ability to support themselves in the UK. Differentiation arrangements will continue with students from EU countries being added to the list of low risk nationals. These students will therefore benefit from the reduced documentary evidence requirements.
Significant changes proposed to the student route include:
-
the extension of the application window from three months to six months prior to the start of a student’s course;
-
removal of study time limits for those studying at postgraduate level;
-
an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate funds for students studying on a Foundation Programme as a doctor or dentist in training, or who are employed as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.