Since the Labour Party came to power, the British government has taken bold reform measures in many fields, whether it is the increase of value-added tax (VAT) or the deep adjustment of the national medical service system (NHS), which shows its determination and courage.
Since the Labour Party came to power, the British government has taken bold reform measures in many fields, whether it is the increase of value-added tax (VAT) or the deep adjustment of the national medical service system (NHS), which shows its determination and courage.
Recently, the policies for student visas and work visas have also ushered in new changes, especially in the language test requirements, and the British government seems to have released an unusual signal. So, what is the specific situation? Let's take a closer look!
一、Britain's student visa deposit rises
On September 10th, the British Labor Government issued the Statement of Changes in Immigration Regulations, which involved five core changes and a number of detailed amendments, and was closely related to the immigration policy. For the vast number of international students, the most concerned is undoubtedly the new guarantee requirements.
According to the latest regulations, from January 2, 2025, the guarantee for applying for a British student visa will be raised:
In London, the guarantee requirement is 1483 per month, while in non-London, it is 1136.
It is important to note that this change is only applicable to students who submit their applications on or after January 2, 2025, and the current guarantee standard will remain unchanged until then. For students who plan to study abroad, it is particularly important to know and prepare in advance.
二、What is a visa deposit?
Visa deposit or financial guarantee refers to a kind of financial proof that applicants need to provide when applying for student visas in some countries. It is mainly used to prove that the applicant has sufficient economic ability to pay the tuition and living expenses during his study abroad, so as to ensure that it will not become a public burden for the government due to economic reasons. Especially in Britain, Australia, Canada and other countries, visa deposit is an important part of applying for a student visa.
1, the purpose of the visa deposit
Proof of financial ability: by providing a deposit, the applicant proves to the visa officer that he has enough funds to support his study and life abroad.
Avoid public burden: ensure that applicants will not rely on government social welfare or public funds during their studies.
Meet visa requirements: Many countries require economic proof during visa application, and deposit is one of the ways to meet this requirement.
2. Calculation method
The calculation method of visa deposit usually includes the following parts:
Tuition: Applicants need to provide the total tuition fee of the school they attend for one year, which is usually indicated in CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) or the admission notice of the school.
Living expenses: The calculation basis of living expenses is the living cost standard of the applicant's city. In general, the living expenses are calculated as 9 months' expenses, and the specific standards vary from region to region.
Example calculation:
London area: Living expenses are usually 13,347 yuan (equivalent to about 124,000 yuan).
Non-London area: Living expenses are usually 102.24 yuan (equivalent to about 95,000 yuan).
Therefore, the minimum amount of visa deposit can be expressed as:
[Minimum amount of deposit = tuition+living expenses for 9 months]
Here, it is suggested that students and parents should deposit more than the minimum amount when depositing the deposit in advance to prevent the visa from being refused due to insufficient deposit due to exchange rate fluctuations. This is especially important in the current situation that the exchange rate of Britain fluctuates greatly.
3, the way to submit the deposit
Bank deposit certificate: the applicant needs to provide a bank deposit certificate to show that there are enough funds in the account. Deposits are usually required to remain stable within 28 days before applying for a visa.
Description of the source of funds: If the funds come from the family, it may be necessary to provide income certificates or financial statements of family members.
Remittance records: If the applicant obtains funds through remittance, it may be necessary to provide relevant remittance records.
Syed Nooh, the relevant person in charge of UEA, also said that the increase in the guarantee requirement is to cope with inflation and the rising cost of living in the UK, and this adjustment is understandable. However, it may also make Britain less attractive to international students.
三、IELTS doesn't have to be tested?
There is indeed some important news about the changes in IELTS. The British government plans to reform the English language test and launch a new Home Office English Language Test (HOELT), which means that the current IELTS test may no longer be the only choice.
The main changes are as follows:
1. Launch of new test:
The Home Office will launch HOELT to replace the "SELTs" provided by many existing suppliers, including IELTS and Pearson.
2. Test content:
HOELT will mainly evaluate the applicant's oral English and listening ability, and may also evaluate his reading and writing ability according to different application paths.
3, implementation and management:
The new test will be directly managed by the Ministry of the Interior and will be responsible for developing and continuously supporting the test in cooperation with a single supplier. The services implemented in the examination, such as examination center management and identity verification, will be taken care of by another part.
4. Global promotion:
The test plan has been promoted all over the world, especially in China, Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian, South African and other countries and regions.
Impact on candidates:
1, apply for a visa and residence:
Those who apply for a British visa, extend their residence or apply for nationality in the future may need to attend the HOELT and meet the corresponding English proficiency standards.
2. The status of IELTS:
Although IELTS may no longer be necessary, we still need to pay attention to the specific implementation details and requirements of HOELT.
Although it is reported that IELTS may no longer be needed in the future, in fact, the new testing system will take its place, and candidates still need to pass the corresponding language tests to prove their English ability. Therefore, candidates should pay close attention to the latest developments of relevant policies in order to adjust their preparation plans in time.
四、Overview of adjustment of annual salary threshold for work signing
1. Adjust the background:
The British government updated the employer's work visa guarantee system on August 28, and plans to correct the minimum wage requirements for some positions in the autumn. According to the amendment of the immigration law in April this year, it was found that the minimum salary of some positions was set too high, which led to the actual salary not being reached.
2. Posts involved:
The adjustment involves 109 jobs, mainly in the industries of medical care, tourism, service, art and transportation. Some positions such as biologists have not been adjusted.
3. Specific salary adjustment: The following is the salary adjustment of some positions:
Managers and owners of restaurants and catering establishments: adjusted from 30,960 to 24,700.
Operators of early education and childcare services: adjusted from 30,960 to 23,200.
Managers and supervisors of health services and public health: adjusted from 43,900 to 36,900.
Managers and supervisors in retail and wholesale industries: from 33,100 to 26,200.
Salary requirements for work visa application
When applying for a work visa, you must meet the following two salary conditions:
1. Meet the salary requirements of the current work visa:
The general requirement is 38,700/year.
If the applicant holds the relevant doctorate, the annual salary threshold will be reduced to 34,830.
For newcomers in the workplace, the annual salary threshold is 30,960.
2. Meet the minimum wage requirements corresponding to the applied position:
The minimum wage requirement for the post to be applied for shall conform to the standards updated by the Ministry of the Interior.
Determination of minimum wage thresholdAmong these two salary standards, the higher one will become the minimum wage threshold for application. This means that applicants need to be evaluated according to the salary requirements of specific positions to ensure that they meet the standards of the immigration bureau.
The adjustment of the annual salary threshold for work signing is a positive change for applicants and employers in related industries, which reduces the salary requirements of some positions and helps to attract more talents. For those who intend to apply for a work visa in the UK, it is recommended to pay close attention to the latest policy changes and ensure that the corresponding salary standards are met. If you need specific visa information, you can consult relevant institutions or professionals at any time.