Update to the immigration rules now in force

Posted: 03/10/2012

It was announced in September, as part of an update to the immigration rules, that study is now prohibited for all visitor routes apart from student visitor and child visitor and those granted to do the PLAB test, undertake a clinical attachment or dental observer post. There is a concern that these changes could create problems when assessing whether non-visa nationals stamped in on arrival are general or student visitors and this issue will be raised with the UKBA.

The categories below have been subject to the following changes:

• child visitors - changes have been made to accreditation, inspection, audit and exchange rules for institutions where child visitors are permitted to undertake a course of study;
• business visitors - rules have been amended to set out the activities business visitors are allowed to undertake, including corporate training;
• sports visitors - rules set out which sporting activities visitors may undertake in the margins of what is considered to be a sporting event;
• entertainers - changes now incorporate previous guidance on cultural events that entertainers may take part in;
• student visitors - rules now list accredited inspection and audit bodies listed by the UKBA for institutions offering study courses to student visitors. Inspection requirements are also included.

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