Welcome to the latest issue of our immigration update for education providers. While the Brexit chaos continues, the Home Office has launched the next phase of the EU Settlement Scheme. As from 15 November, those working in the higher education sector in this country can apply for settled status.
On another note, education providers which employ EU nationals are reminded that even in the event of a no-deal, they are not expected to immediately change their right to work processes for EU nationals. While the Government continues to repeat that free movement as we know it will come to an end, it has not yet announced how the new immigration system will work in a no-deal scenario. A sensible transitional period will therefore need to be put in place.
The immigration team at Penningtons Manches is holding a breakfast seminar on 11 December entitled 'Cutting through the noise - answers for your EU staff'. Please click here for event details and to register your interest.
In this issue:
Second phase of the EU Settlement Scheme pilot opens to the education sector
Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 - a reminder
UKVI in-country application process from 5 November 2018
Second phase of the EU Settlement Scheme pilot opens to the education sector
Following completion of the first Beta test phase, the second phase of the EU Settlement Scheme pilot has this week opened to a wider group and will run until 21 December 2018 with the full rollout expected by January 2019. This next phase is designed to test the full end to end process including integrating the online application process with the app designed to check ID documents.
To read our FAQs on the new process and for guidance on how higher education institutions can support those eligible to apply, click below.
Not all Tier 4 students who graduated over the summer and wish to switch to Tier 2 will have secured a position with an employer who holds a Tier 2 licence. Careers officers and international student advisors will therefore still be fielding questions from concerned students. For a reminder of the options that are currently available to these students, click below.
UKVI in-country application process from 5 November 2018
As the Home Office becomes tech savvy, with effect from 5 November 2018, a new UKVI immigration application process has been introduced for in-country applications. The new system, which will be mandatory from 29 November 2018, means applicants will no longer need to submit original documents, but instead will upload documents for checking. If you have spotted problems with the new system, we are happy to pass your comments back to UKVI.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its report on the impact of international students in the UK in September 2018. Among its key findings were recommendations that there should remain no cap on the number of international students coming to the UK, international students should not be removed from the net migration target and the Government and the sector should continue to work together to increase the number of international students in this country.
For a brief overview of all the recommendations made in the MAC report as well as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Students inquiry report, which was published on 6 November 2018, click below.
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