Government releases latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules

Posted: 12/06/2014

On 10 June 2014, the Home Office published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules - HC 198.  The changes are to remove TOEFL iBT and TOEIC tests, which are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), as approved, secure English language tests for UK immigration applications from 1 July 2014.  Therefore, ETS test results will be accepted for applicants submitting an in-country application before 1 July 2014.

The following transitional provisions apply:

• ETS test results will be accepted for all applicants applying overseas before 22 July 2014; and
• ETS test results will also be accepted for Tier 4 applicants applying overseas before 1 October 2014 where: 
• the relevant Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has been assigned by a sponsor which is a UK Recognised Body or a body in receipt of public funding as a higher education institution from the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, or the Scottish Funding Council; and
• the course is:
• a pre-sessional course, which prepares a student for his or her main course of study in the UK and which lasts no longer than three months;
• a foundation degree; or
• a foundation course awarded at a minimum of NQF level 3, or awarded on a directly equivalent basis in the devolved administrations.

If you require further assistance in relation to the ETS tests or English language testing in general, please contact Pat Saini, Hazar El-Chamaa or Penny Salmon.

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