UK Immigration Rules

As of 9 July 2012, a number of changes to the UK Immigration Rules came into effect. These changes affect all non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK under the family migration route.

The changes include:

- Introducing a new minimum income threshold of £18,600 for sponsoring settlement in the UK of a non-EEA spouse or partner, fiancé(e) or proposed ci

vil partner. If you wish to sponsor a child you will have to meet the higher threshold of £22,400 instead of £18,600. Each additional child will cost £2,400 to sponsor.

- Publishing a list of factors associated with genuine and non-genuine relationships, to help UK Border Agency officers make accurate decisions.

- Extending the minimum probationary period for settlement for non-EEA spouses and partners from two years to five years, to test the genuineness of the relationship.

- Abolishing immediate settlement for migrant spouses and partners where a couple have been living together overseas for at least four years.

- Allowing adult and elderly dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK. Also requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category.

- Restricting family visit visa appeals, initially by narrowing the current definitions of family and sponsor for appeal purposes, and then, subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill, removing the full right of appeal against refusal of a family visit visa.

- Please note, if you already have leave to enter or remain in the UK, on the basis of being the spouse or partner of a settled person, you will need to meet the rules which were in force before 9 July 2012 if you apply for settlement. The requirements before 9 July 2012 are much more straightforward and you only need to wait two years to gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a spouse or partner.

On 11 June 2012, The UK Government announced these changes as part of their plans to reform the UK's immigration rules. The changes are the government's response to recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee.

Guy Taylor, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), claims the changes are highly discriminatory. JCWI is currently lobbying parliament to have the laws relaxed.

"Young people, women, disabled and older people are going to be disproportionately affected by this rule," Taylor said, citing the fact that adult and elderly dependants can settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK.

Also, from October 2013, the UKBA will require all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and an intermediate level English language test at B1 level or above, unless they are exempt. Previously only those applying for citizenship had to meet these requirements.

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Selecting a Country for Studying Abroad

While planning which country to study in is an amazing experience. It is easy for images of living in a foreign country, visiting famous landmarks and studying in historic or exotic locals to overshadow more practical considerations such as the cost of living, quality of education and visa requirements. Most students will probably have an idea of what countries they would like to study abroad in but may not have thought through all the issues that should be considered at when making this decision. This article discusses topics that students should consider when choosing a country in which to study abroad.

Visa Requirements

In some places, obtaining a visa can be arduous and time-consuming.

Most countries require that international students obtain a visa which is usually specific to students and typically defines a maximum amount of time the student may stay. Some countries have a separate visa for short-term students and for those studying in the country for more than a year. Visa requirements vary by country and in some places, the process can be arduous and time-consuming. Some typical requirements are discussed below:

 Fluency of language – Some countries including Australia, Canada UK require students prove English fluency by obtaining a minimum score on a English language test. Some schools set language requirements as an admissions requirement. Most students can take foreign language exams in their home country to prove language proficiency.

Medical Insurance – Required almost all countries in the world to have proof of medical insurance and proof that the insurance is valid in that country. Some countries offer students the option of buying health insurance within the country.

Financial Resources - proof of student has the financial resources required to study and live in that country. Documents required may include a bank financial statement etc

Residency requirements – Residency requirements for students who want to enroll as a full-degree student are rare but in some countries, students who want to study as a full-degree undergraduate student need to reside in the country for several years before they can enroll. In other countries, international students are limited to short-term studies.

  

Cultural Differences

Someone who finds it difficult to acclimate should choose a similar culture to their own.

Individuals assimilate to other cultures with differing amounts of ease – some are very flexible while others find it very stressful. Being cognizant of one's own level of comfort in new situations will help students choose a country that suits their personality. For instance, someone who finds it difficult to acclimate should choose a culture similar to their own while someone else may get the most out of their experience by choosing a country where the culture is completely opposite from their own. 

For further information about higher education in individual countries, visit Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Ltd 

Admissions policy for Students

The aim of the Policy for  admission in Colleges of the University of Cambridge offers admission to students of the highest  irrespective of social, potential , racial and financial considerations.

Further aims are:

• Fairness: to ensure that each applicant is individually assessed, without partiality or bias, in accordance with the policy on Equal Opportunities, and to ensure that, as far as possible, an applicant’s chance of admission to Cambridge does not depend on choice of College
• Aspiration: to encourage applications from groups that are, at present, under-represented in Cambridge

The University’s contract with the Higher Education Funding Council for England means that there is, in effect, an upper limit on the number of international students we can admit. This constraint makes the competition for places particularly fierce among international applicants.

Once students are admitted, they ensure that they are given the academic, personal and, where appropriate, financial support necessary for successful completion of their course at Cambridge.

Once students have applied then the principle detailed above takes absolute precedence. We will not introduce targets or quotas for people from specific backgrounds as we feel very strongly that applicants should be admitted on academic merit and potential to succeed in their chosen course.

Our widening participation strategy within the UK has for a number of years focused on trying to ensure that students with the ability to succeed at Cambridge are not deterred from applying by any of the myths and misconceptions that continue to surround the University. Other activities within our diverse and extensive portfolio of outreach projects seek to introduce students to the range of degree courses we offer and to support and enrich the study of subjects at school/college.

Detailed selection criteria vary from subject to subject but in all we are looking for:

• academic ability and potential;
• motivation and suitability for the chosen course;
• Commitment and self-discipline.

Every applicant is considered individually in an holistic assessment using all the information available to us:

• their academic record, including GCSE and AS (or equivalent) grades and marks and A Level (or equivalent) grades or predictions†, this record being considered in the context of the quality (but not type) of schools/colleges at which it was achieved;
• the school/college reference;
• the personal statement;
• submitted work, where requested;
• test results, where a written test forms part of the assessment
• Performance at interview, if interviewed.

In each subject we have moderation procedures that enable Colleges to compare the quality of their own applicants with those to other Colleges before deciding who will receive an offer, and our pool system provides the opportunity for applicants squeezed out by the competition at one College to receive an offer from another as part of these procedures.

To try to ensure that all applicants and their advisers have access to up-to-date and factually correct information, we provide exhaustive information about all aspects of our admissions procedures through our extensive range of publications and our website.

Ultimately, all admissions decisions are based on academic criteria, and excellence in an extra-curricular activity will never ‘compensate’ for lower academic potential.

Our policy with regard to recruitment of overseas students is detailed in the separate International Undergraduate Admissions statement. For more information visit Future ConcernAssociates (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore