UK Student Visas: Major Changes Expected

The UK Government is proposing that the minimum level of English required in order to obtain a Tier 4 General Student Visa should be raised from the current B1 (Intermediate) to B2 (Upper Intermediate), which is a higher level of English. In addition, it is proposing that only Highly Trusted Sponsors (HTS) on the UKBA Register of Sponsors be allowed to issue Tier 4 General Student Visas. At this time, these proposals have not yet been implemented, but it is the general understanding that these changes will be announced in February / March 2011, for implementation in April 2011.