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The UK has implemented changes to the student immigration rules from 21 April 2011. There are now tougher Sponsorship and English language requirements for entry as a student. Also, fewer student's will have the right to work legally in the UK.
The changes follow a public consultation and were put into effect to "deliver a strong migration system which tackles immigration abuse, while allowing genuine students to study at genuine colleges."
Sponsorship (Accreditation)
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has decided that the Central Institute and Polytechnic West should spearhead the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) in Western Australia. The AMEP is a special program designed to encourage English language training for migrants across Australia.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that whilst high levels of immigration have caused some problems in Singapore, that overall, immigration is good for Singapore.
Speaking recently to reporters after recording a Chinese language forum at MediaCorp the Prime Minister had the following to say:
"First, we'll continue to do what we think is the right thing for Singapore. We have to adjust it, we have to soften it where we can, we have to take measures to take care of the consequences," said Mr Lee.
The Government is trying to reduce the different types of visas and visa subclasses by fifty percent by 2015. Mr Bowen went on to say:
"The government's proposal to simplify visitor visas follows on from our recent commitment to streamline temporary work visas."
Nick Clegg the Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister has attacked the Conservative Party Prime Minister's immigration plans. He says that reducing the number of immigrants to tens of thousands a year was not government policy. Immigration policy has been an ongoing source of friction between the Liberal Democrat members of the Government and the more anti immigration Conservative Party members of the Government.
On 6 April 2011, the UK Government changed the rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), otherwise known as permanent residence or settlement in the UK. The changes are part of an overall tightening of immigration laws in the UK.
The revised rules include more stringent requirements for ILR, including: