UK extends study visa pilot to 23 more Higher Education Institutes

The UK Home Office has extended a pilot scheme for streamlining the visa application process of international postgraduate students. Extended to 23 universities across the United Kingdom (UK), the scheme has been launched only after a successful first stage at four universities.

Brandon Lewis, the immigration minister was quoted, "This is a clear indication that genuine students are welcome and there is no limit on the number who can come to study in the UK". According to him, the scheme is expected to be rolled out soon extensively to those universities that can demonstrate high levels of compliance with the visa regulations.

Here's what you can expect from the pilot scheme:

• The process will aim to make Tier 4 visa applications more upfront and hassle-free
• As part of the process, prospective Master’s students will have to submit fewer documents
• The scheme will include the provision of greater support for students wishing to pursue post-study work in the UK. This means that students will be offered assistance in switching visa type
• Students will also be allowed to stay back for a period of six months after graduation and look for jobs

The 23 universities to be added to the pilot scheme are:

• Cardiff University
• Goldsmiths University of London
• Harper Adams University
• Newcastle University
• Queen’s University Belfast
• The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
• University of Bristol
• Durham University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Essex
• University of Exeter
• University of Glasgow
• University of Leicester
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Nottingham
• University of Reading
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University of Wales Trinity St. David (Swansea Campus)
• University of Warwick
• University of York

The pilot for these 23 universities will be enabled in the 2018-19 session. According to reports, the reason behind choosing the above universities is their low visa refusal rates in their area or region.

Since 2016, only four Universities - the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Bath and Imperial College London have been able to offer this pilot process to students.