In November 2008, the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) began implementing a five-tier visa regulation system that affects both education abroad programs within the United Kingdom and any foreign students or participants. NAFSA has created this update page to provide information to international educators from a variety of sources on these changes. If you have questions or concerns about the new visa regulations, or if you have information that you would like to share with your colleagues through this update page, please submit to NAFSA leaders through IssueNet: Report an Issue.
November 2, 2011
The UK Border Agency launched a Facebook page for customers in the USA. The page will provide information about applying for a UK visa and any forthcoming changes to UK immigration policy. The UKBA will not be responding to individual cases through this page. To receive updates and to ask policy-related questions about immigration and customs issues, you can 'like' the page at www.facebook.com/ukba.in.the.usa.
August 31, 2011
On July 4, 2011 a number of changes began to affect work entitlements, dependents and documents that students have to submit with their applications. Learn more about recent changes to Tier 4 student policy.
August 25, 2011
As a result of recent changes to the Tier 4 Student application process, applicants who are deemed 'low risk' may avail of new differentiation arrangements. These arrangements exempt the applicant from having to provide the normal range of evidential (supporting) documents. Check if you are considered a 'low risk applicant'. Learn more about the changes to the application process. (325kb 
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April 5, 2011
In December the UK Government launched a consultation on the reform of the student immigration system. On March 22nd, the Home Secretary announced to the UK Parliament the results of this extensive consultation process. The changes not only minimise abuse of the student immigration system but also builds on the global reputation of the UK as a provider of high quality education. Learn more.
April 4, 2011
Visa application procedure change from 06 April 2011. The UK Border Agency in New York will be responsible for processing all visas applications in the United States with effect from 6 April 2011. Please note, if you are a resident in California and submitted an online visa application before 06 April 2011 your application and supporting documents should be sent to the visa processing office in Los Angeles. If you need confirmation of the office you should submit your visa application to, please refer to the front page of the online application form and note the location listed under ‘Issuing Office’.
March 29, 2011
Visa application procedure change: The UK Border Agency in New York will shortly begin processing visas for a number of States that were previously processed by the UK Border Agency in Los Angeles. From 08 March 2011, all US states except California will be handled by the UK Border Agency in New York. For all online visa applications submitted on or after 08 March 2011, your online visa application will be directed to the UK Border Agency in New York and your passport and supporting documents must be sent to the New York office after you have provided biometric information.
(Please note, if you have submitted an online visa application before this date and been directed to the Los Angeles office, you should follow that direction and submit your visa application to the Los Angeles office within two weeks of providing your biometrics information). If you are unsure which office you should submit your visa application to, please refer to the front page of the online application form and note the location listed under 'Issuing Office.' View the WorldBridge Site
September 15, 2010
UKBA closed the Chicago visa office. It is important that all applicants check their UK Border Agency visa issuing office, which can be found under Step 7 on the How to Apply from the U.S. page on the UK Border Agency WorldBridge Web site before sending in their application and supporting documents.
August 17, 2010
UKBA and NAFSA provide reminders for Fall Tier 4 (general) Visa application process here.
July 16, 2010
The UKBA has provided this student guide to applying for a Tier 4 Visa.
July 12, 2010
On July 12, 2010 the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) added to the policy guidance for students applying under Tier 4 of the points-based system. This addendum applies to students making applications using a student loan letter. For more details, please see the recently posted PowerPoint presentation, as well as the student loan letter template.
July 12, 2010
Download the PowerPoint from the "Hot Topics in U.S. Education Abroad Visas: United Kingdom" session at NAFSA's annual conference.
May 14, 2010
The British Consulate of New York City has provided NAFSA with the Student Visa Guidance.
April 23, 2010
The Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee would like to remind advisers that UK entry clearance cannot be issued more than three months prior to the date the course of study is due to commence. All Tier 4 students should apply no earlier than three months prior to the start date of their course as stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship. All Tier 4 student applications received outside of this period will be voided and returned unprocessed. Refunds will not be offered.
February 22, 2010
Following a recent review of student visa policy, the United Kingdom Border Agency announced changes to Tier 4 of its Points Based Immigration System (PBS) which will go into effect March 3, 2010. Student Visitors will not be affected by these changes. New policies include the implementation of a ten hour work-week for non-degree seeking students, the Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (submitted on the VAF Appendix by the student and will serve in place of the Visa Letter), and the development of a Highly Trusted Status program for institutions admitting students below degree level. The Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee is collecting questions for submission to UKBA via Report an Issue. Learn more.
December 9, 2009
Having received a number of recent questions from advisers regarding the student visitor status and entry to the UK, the Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee recently clarified with the LA British Consulate that except in extremely rare cases the student visitor status is multiple entry.
November 24, 2009
On Tuesday, November 24, NAFSA Professional Practice staff met with Lin Homer, the chief executive of the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA), members of the UKBA staff, and staff from the British Council. The British Council acts as the UK's cultural relations organization and promotes various programs, including higher education opportunities. The agenda revolved around the new tiered entry process implemented March 31, 2009. In particular, Tiers 4 and 5 relate to NAFSA’s Education Abroad membership.
August 21, 2009
As of August 21, the NAFSA Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee of the Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee has confirmed changes to the financial requirements of the Tier 4 Student Visa process for the UK. Learn more.
July 27, 2009
The NAFSA CAL Subcommittee of the EA Regulatory Practice Committee has confirmed the following policy with the UKBA regarding Federal Student Loans/Proof of Funding for PBS Tier 4 Visa Applicants. The UKBA will now accept Original letters from U.S. University Financial Aid Offices confirming loans available to students. The letter must conform to the requirements of paragraph 145 of the policy guidance concerning loans. Learn more.
June 26, 2009
UKBA has provided NAFSA with a copy of the presentation used during the Education Abroad Student Visa Hot Topics session at NAFSA's 2009 Annual Conference & Expo in Los Angeles.
June 19, 2009
The UK Border Agency has provided written answers to questions submitted by attendees of the Education Abroad Student Visa Hot Topics session at NAFSA's 2009 Annual Conference & Expo in Los Angeles that were not answered there. Topics include financial aid, faculty-led programs, and more. Read the full questions and answers in NAFSA's Regulatory Information Document Library.
June 8, 2009
The UK has brought back the BUNAC card for pure internship programs for up to six months. The BUNAC Blue Card Internship Program UK is a Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) supported by the UK Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). As program sponsor, BUNAC is authorized to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to successful applicants who can then apply for a visa before entering Britain. However, there are some new rules. On this new internship program, participants are required to arrange the position before applying for a visa, and the intern must be paid at least minimum wage while in the UK unless the UK agency sponsoring the internship is exempt from the minimum wage law. See www.bunac.org/usa/interninbritain for more information.
Learn more about internships under the Tier 4 Visa.
May 22, 2009
The United Kingdom Border Agency has announced that each of the consulates in the United States is planning to offer in-person services to Tier 4: Student Visa applicants over the summer period. Read more at UK Consulates Offer In-Person Services to Student Visa Applicants.
May 20, 2009
As of June 1, students will have to demonstrate that they have held the requisite tuition and maintenance funding for 28 days. The concession currently in place allowing students to simply show possession of the funding at the date of application will end on May 31. Any students traveling soon may wish to apply before this change occurs. As long as their online form is submitted on or before May 31, UKBA will consider them under the current concession (even if the visa package does not arrive in our office until June).
May 15, 2009
An institution reports that two U.S. law school students going to the UK for a summer internship program attempted to enter the UK as student visitors, but were detained for several hours and almost deported because they did not have a student visa. Eventually, the students were allowed to enter as student visitors on the condition that they would not do any work. NAFSA is sharing this story to emphasize that the UK is enforcing these provisions, and students on internship programs who attempt to enter as student visitors may be detained or even returned to the United States.
May 4, 2009
The UKBA has shared a PowerPoint presentation regarding Student Visas and the Student Visitor Route used at recent outreach meetings with education abroad advisers in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. In addition, the UKBA has shared UK Student Visitor Letter Templates for institutions to use in the development of letters for students entering as "student visitors."
UKBA advises that the online application system homepage still has the previous application form as an option. PLEASE NOTE: When starting the application process online, for the "Purpose of Application," students should select the "PBS Tier 4 Student" option, not the other option simply named "Student."
April 6, 2009
The UK Border Agency has provided NAFSA with official versions of:
March 30, 2009