UK Student Visa changes  

Changes to student visas, announced last year and which come into force in April 2012, will cut abuse of the student visa route and ensure only the brightest and the best students can stay and work in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green announced on Monday.

The current Post Study Work route, which allows students to work in the UK for two years after their studies have finished, will close. Talented international students graduating from a university will still have the opportunity to stay on in the UK, but from 6 April they will need a skilled job offer from a reputable employer accredited by the UK Border Agency with a salary of £20,000 or more.  The change is part of the student visa system reforms to attract the brightest and best while cutting down on abuse, and which also include:

A new Graduate Entrepreneur route, with up to 1,000 places in the first year of operation for students working on world-class innovative ideas who want to stay and develop them but do not meet the requirements of the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route;

An opportunity for young entrepreneurs or small company directors to stay on in the UK after their studies if they have £50,000 to invest in their business;

An increase in maintenance fees, for the first time since 2008, to ensure students have enough money to support themselves financially during their time in the UK;

A restriction on work placements to one-third of the course for international students who are studying below degree level and not at a university. Additionally, the time that can be spent studying at and above degree level will now be restricted to a general limit of 5 years, with some exceptions.