UK immigration changes for international students, businesses

United Kingdom, 15th March: New UK immigration rules have been announced for foreign students as well as businesses.

As per the information, aim of such changed immigration rules is to attract the bright and the best individuals to work, invest or study in the UK.

Easier UK student visa rules—UK student visa rules for foreign students have been simplified with immediate effect. This has been done by the UK government after a decline witnessed in the number of foreign student arrivals

to the UK. It has been become as an issue of great concern that by toughening UK student visa rules, the nation was closing its welcoming door to the world.

UK has announced simpler and easier visa rules for attracting more foreign students and businesses to the UK.

As per the UK Home Office, there will be more flexibility in UK student visa rules to enable foreign students pursue their careers after immigrating to the UK. As of now, foreign students getting a graduate level employment in the UK are allowed to stay in the UK after successful completion of their study course here.

MBA graduates, PhD students to benefit—New UK immigration rules will be beneficial for PhD students since they will get an opportunity to stay in the UK after completion of their studies for a maximum period of one year and will be allowed to work here during the same period.

And the best thing is that they wont have to switch routes for this. Such a move is, indeed, a noteworthy recognition of the vital contribution of the research scholars to the education system as well as the economy of the UK.

Come April 6 this year and the Graduate Entrepreneur scheme of the UK will offer an opportunity to a maximum of 1,000 foreign MBA graduates from UK universities to keep staying in the UK for a period of one year after completion of their graduation.

This step will help these talented foreign graduates to give shap to their innovative business ideas or gain employment in any start-up along with an option to either live as an entrepreneur or as a skilled worker in the UK.

No English test for senior executives—Senior business executives coming to the UK on intra-company transfers will not be required to clear an English test. However, for this, the condition is earning more than £152,100 annually for extending their stay in the UK.

Exemption for elite executives--From 6th April onwards, skilled foreign workers(highly paid) earning more than £152,100 will get the opportunity to take up another employment in the UK rather than waiting for 12 months between postings.

Giving details, immigration minister Mark Harper said those getting £152,100 annually will not be required to spend one year outside the UK for switching between temporary and permanent UK visas.