New visa rules for UK students
Mar 17, 2009
The UK has announced a new system for student visa applications.
By Milton Olupot
The UK has announced a new system for student visa applications.
“From March 31, 2009, students planning to study in the UK will use a new points-based system that will streamline the student visa application process,†a statement from the British High Commission in Kampala said yesterday.
The statement said the changes would allow students to check whether they are eligible for a visa before applying.
Under the new system, students will be required to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by a UK Border Agency licensed education institution.
They will also be asked to prove that they can fund their studies and provide their personal details.
“For the first time, all independent schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students need a licence to do so,†the statement said.
This, it stated, would help the UK government crack down on bogus colleges. The measure will enable foreign students ensure the institution they are enrolled into is approved.
According to the statement, over 1,000 UK institutions have signed up to fund international students.
If granted a visa, the new regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during the school term, to work full-time during the holidays and find work placements.
“Any visa applicant caught using false documents, lying or withholding relevant information might be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years,†the statement adds.
Applications for visas in Uganda are made at the UK Visa Application Centre on the 7th Floor of Communications House in Kampala.
The UK has announced a new system for student visa applications.
“From March 31, 2009, students planning to study in the UK will use a new points-based system that will streamline the student visa application process,†a statement from the British High Commission in Kampala said yesterday.
The statement said the changes would allow students to check whether they are eligible for a visa before applying.
Under the new system, students will be required to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by a UK Border Agency licensed education institution.
They will also be asked to prove that they can fund their studies and provide their personal details.
“For the first time, all independent schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students need a licence to do so,†the statement said.
This, it stated, would help the UK government crack down on bogus colleges. The measure will enable foreign students ensure the institution they are enrolled into is approved.
According to the statement, over 1,000 UK institutions have signed up to fund international students.
If granted a visa, the new regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during the school term, to work full-time during the holidays and find work placements.
“Any visa applicant caught using false documents, lying or withholding relevant information might be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years,†the statement adds.
Applications for visas in Uganda are made at the UK Visa Application Centre on the 7th Floor of Communications House in Kampala.