On 24 April 2015 the new ‘Short-term student’ and ‘Short-term student (child)’ routes will come into force replacing the old student visitor provisions.
The new routes allow adults and children to enter the UK for the purpose of studying (at an institution that meets the requirements contained in the rules) for up to and including 6 months (or 11 months for adults studying English language).
The new regime will no longer be part of the (heavily revised) visitor rules and is being moved into Part 3 of the Immigration Rules.
The detail of the new system is contained in paragraphs A57A – A57H of Statement of Changes HC 1025 and education providers will be relieved to note that, in practice, the new system is almost identical to the old student visitor regime.
Of course, applicants seeking entry to the UK to study under the new short-term study routes will need to apply on different application forms.
As with the student visitor route, the new rules continue to prevent frequent and successive periods of study.
Well done English UK!
After a long campaign spearheaded by English UK, HC 1025 finally incorporates into the Immigration Rules the former concession for adults studying English language. Students will be able to come to the UK for up to and including 11 months to study a course providing it is entirely English language.
