Working in the UK after your studies & Tier 4 Extensions

Jo-anne McDonnell Immigration Advisor TalentScotland Relocation Advisory Service

Contents

Introduction to TS Relocation Advisory Service Recent changes After Tier 4

   

Tier 1Post Study Work Tier 1 Entrepreneur Tier 2 (General) Extending your time in Tier 4

Tips for completing application forms Questions and Contact details

TalentScotland Relocation Advisory Service

Scottish Government set up Relocation Advisory Service in February 2004 We are here to give advice on visas to individuals (and Scottish companies) Based in Glasgow with 7 staff including an immigration specialist (Joanne McDonnell) and business team. We also have Shona Radojkovic based in Highlands & Islands Established websites with information about living and working in Scotland
 

Over 1.25 million visitors to TalentScotland.com (formerly Scotlandistheplace.com) 25,000 customers assisted from over 150 countries

TalentScotland Relocation Advisory Service

What we can offer:

Advice & guidance on immigration/relocation & Jobs  Help with application forms  Updates & Newsletters  Website full of useful information  And lots more!


The UK Immigration System

Rest of the World Lets look at UK Immigration as a starting point: Europe A2

UK & Some of Europe

The UK Immigration System

If anyone from the last segment (the rest of the world) wants to come to the UK to work, train or study then they will almost always have to apply through the Points Based System (PBS) PBS has Five Tiers:  Tier 1- For Highly Skilled Workers  Tier 2- For Skilled Workers with a job offer  Tier 3- Intended for low skilled work (closed indefinitely)  Tier 4- Study route  Tier 5- Temporary work

Recent Changes
There have been a lot of immigration changes announced by the UK Government in 2011: Main points:

Tier 1 PSW will close April 2012  Tier 1 (General Closed)  Tier 2 changes (eg limits)  Tier 4 (Study) changes


TalentScotland Relocation Advisory Service

1. Move on to Tier 1 (Post Study Work- only available until April 2012) 2. Find an employer and move to Tier 2 3.Extend time here as a student (Tier 4)

Tier 1

Tier 1 is for highly skilled workers and graduates Tier 1 has four subcategories:
 

Post Study Work Exceptional Talent (a maximum of 1,000 visas for those who are internationally recognised in the fields of arts or sciences. This visa not yet open) Investor (1m) Entrepreneur

 

Tier 1 Post Study Work (PSW)

Will be open until April 2012 Allows two years to stay in the UK to work Do not need to have a job offer before applying Do not need to wait until graduationcan apply once results are known

PSW - Points needed

95 points:
Requirement
Qualification Institution Timing Immigration Status Maintenance English Language

Points Awarded
20 20 15 20 10 10

PSW- Maintenance
Maintenance Requirements  If applying from within the UK: 800. Outside the UK:2,800


Must be in bank account for at least 3 months at all times before application is made.

PSW- Maintenance Cont.

Maintenance Requirements


Evidence must be dated no more than one month before applying. If using on-line statements - each page of the statements to be stamped by the bank or a supporting letter from the bank. Must be cash shares, bonds, pension funds or agreed overdraft facilities are not acceptable.

PSW- Maintenance Cont.

o

Maintenance for Dependants

o

If the main applicant is outside the UK or has been present in the UK for less than 12 months an additional 1,600 per dependant is required. If the main applicant has been in the UK for 12 months or more 533 is required for each dependant.

PSW- Application

Must send two recent passport photographs and passport, along with proof of the following:

original certificate of award; original letter from United Kingdom institution; Proof of maintenance (funds).

PSW- Evidence
If certificate of award has not been issued yet (for example, when the application is made before graduation), the letter from University must have additional details.

PSW- Evidence

The Original letter from the institution:



This letter must be an original letter (not a copy), on official letterheaded paper and include the official stamp of the institution.

Post Study Work

Think about what you want to do after PSW!

Tier 1 Entrepreneur
For those setting up or taking over the running of a business in the UK. You need 200k investment. Or 50k if cash from a registered venture capitalist, seed funding competition run by UKTI, or from UK govt depts for purpose of business in the UK.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Cont.

o May be allowances for students:
(Full details to be released during the year) we will ensure there is a place in our immigration for students who, through their studies, have developed world class innovative ideas we will work with education and business sectors to design a process

Tier 2
For skilled workers with a Job Offer Tier 2 has four subcategories:

Tier 2 (General)  Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer)  Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)  Tier 2 (Sportsperson)


Tier 2 (Gen)
    

You need a job offer from a Sponsor or a company willing to register as one They will assign a CoS- similar to a CaS The job must be at a graduate level and on the Graduate Occupation List Minimum salary requirements (20,000) English Language and maintenance requirements

Tier 2 (Gen) Switching from Tier 4



Those graduating from a UK university with a recognised degree, PGCE, or PGDE will be able to switch into Tier 2. There will not be a limit on these switchers. They will only be able to switch if they are in the UK, before their student visa expires. The normal Tier 2 requirements will apply, except for the Resident Labour Market Test.

  

Tier 2 (Gen) Switching from PSW

There will not be a limit on these switches  You will not need to show evidence of maintenance  Your employer may not need to advertise if you meet the following conditions


Tier 2 (Gen) Switching from PSW Cont.

switching into Tier 2 to do the same job you are employed to do immediately before the application with the same employer been employed with that same employer for a continuous 6 months period immediately prior to making the switch.

You do not have to have been in the same job for the entire 6 months It must still be a graduate level job and pay the appropriate rate

Tier 2 (Gen) Maintenance

Maintenance Requirements:  800 in available funds, held in the bank account for three months before the date of application; or  If sponsor has an A rating they can confirm they will maintain and accommodate applicant up to the end of the first month of employment in the UK if required; or  you automatically score points for maintenance (switching from certain categories including FT:WISS, PSW, IGS & SEGS) Maintenance (funds) must be proven by sending evidence to support application.

Tier 4 Changing/New Course

  

New CaS and; Evidence of Maintenance If there is more than a month between your current leave expiry date and the start of new courseyou will have to apply from outside the UK

Tier 4 Maintenance

Course of 9 months or less you need course fees AND 600 for each calendar month of the course Course of more than 9 months you need first year of fees AND 5,400

Tier 4 Maintenance Cont.

However if you have current Tier 4 leave (in or outside UK)  and you have completed a course of study in UK that was at least 6 months in duration; or  applying for continued study on a single course and have completed at least 6 months of that course then a lower rate is applied: course fees AND 600 for each month of the course up to a max of 2 months (1,200) In all cases the money must be in your bank account for 28 days before you submit your extension application.

Tier 4 Changes
English language: For Undergraduates and above- B2 Dependants From July only Postgraduate Students can bring in dependants

Official Sponsorship

If you receive official financial sponsorship you will need to provide your financial sponsor's unconditional consent in writing, confirming that you have their permission to re-enter or remain in the UK. The evidence must be original, on the organisation's official letter-headed paper or stationery. It must bear the organisation's official stamp, and must have been issued by an authorised official of the organisation.

Official Sponsorship Cont.

you have had permission to study in the UK during the past 12 months under Tier 4 of the points-based system and a government or an international scholarship agency has given you financial sponsorship to study here during the past 12 months, which has wholly covered your course fees and living costs

Completing Application Forms: Top Tips

Check the application form (or get us to!) If incorrect it may be sent back marked as INVALID. If this happens , you may unwittingly become an overstayer and in some circumstances this could lead to problems with future applications/ ban on entry to UK

Completing Application Forms: Top Tips Cont.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7.

The most common areas for refusals are: Maintenance requirements not satisfied No CaS or CoS submitted with the application Wrong Application form used Incorrect fees Original supporting documents not provided/translated More than 1 month between end of current leave and start of new course (Tier 4 extensions) Where switching into Tier 4 from another previous immigration route is not allowed

Completing Application Forms: Top Tips Cont

What is a good application? Some thoughts:  Photographs included and in the correct format  The correct form & the correct fees  All supporting documents supplied and originals.  Translations if required  Dependants applications included either on the form or separately  All the relevant sections completed  Valid CoS or CaS  Signed and dated  Photocopy the application  Use reordered delivery

Recap

Moving onto:
Tier 1 PSW- only available to 2012  Tier 1 Entrepreneur- funds needed  Tier 2 General- switching from Tier 4 and from PSW  Continuing on with Tier 4  Recent Changes


TalentScotland
Helps you find employers and jobs in Scotland Updated daily, provides free, impartial news & information on:  Key sectors: Life Sciences, Energy, Financial Services and Electronic Technologies  Employers: profiles of > 450 from start ups to multi-nationals  Current job vacancies: commercial and academic  Scottish based recruiters: profiles of c.80 Subscribe free for even more:  Monthly industry e-newsletter  Regular jobs by e-mail  Access to employer information on job adverts  Apply on-line direct to employer Contact: Carolyn Black, 0131 313 6269, info@talentscotland.com

Graduate Placement Programme

Graduate placement programme offer an opportunity to work on a short-term project, from 3 to 12 months, with an established business or social enterprise Organisations of all sizes participate and you receive a minimum salary of 14,500 (pro rata) whilst on your placement. A supplement of 1,500 will be included to placements based in the Highlands and Islands Participating businesses are dynamic, growth-oriented and located across Scotland, within the private and voluntary sectors. Projects last from three months to one year and must be quantifiable and measureable

Graduate Placement Programme Cont.

The programme is open to all graduates who: o Have graduated at degree or postgraduate level from a Higher Education Institution within the past two years (International graduates from non EU countries must have graduated from a Scottish Higher Education Institution within the past two years.)
o

Have up to date visa documentation if required (international graduates only) Have good English language skills appropriate to a business environment Have no more than one years relevant (graduate level) work experience

Graduate Placement Programme Cont.

In October 2010 these are a sample of vacancies advertised:  12 Month Marketing Placement  Graphic Designer  Graduate Trainee Technical Support  Internal Sales Engineer

TalentScotland.com

@MoveToScotland @GradPlacements @TalentScotland

Questions?

0300 244 6824

jo-anne.mcdonnell@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
TalentScotland.com @MoveToScotland