Under the new rule, if one has limited leave to enter or remain in UK and wish to extend visa, they must apply within 28 days of current visa expiring

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) has brought out a new application for student visa under the point-based system (PBS) route. Under this route, applications can be made by students who are already at UK.

New application forms under PBS have been offered for categories including exceptional talent, investor, graduate entrepreneur, tier 2, entrepreneur, tier 1 (general), child and temporary worker.

PBS route is a means of getting entry to the UK for the non-European nationals. An individual must score a particular score to be eligible for a UK visa under the different categories. Under the PBS route, points are awarded under the system for qualifications, future expected earnings, sponsorship. English language skills and available maintenance. This route is a method of regularising immigration from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

As per the new norms applicable from October, the PBS dependant form has also been replaced with 2 separate forms. UKBA has introduced a new PBS Dependant form for Tier 1, 2 or 5 dependants and PBS Dependant form for Tier 4 dependants.

As per the Immigration Rules, the old forms for PBS category would be accepted up to and including 22 October 2012.

New rules for extending visa come into effect

The UKBA has said that new rules would apply for extending a visa under the points-based system, all working and student routes, visiting routes, long residency routes and discharged HM Forces and UK ancestry routes.

Under the new rule, if one has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK and wish to extend the visa, they must apply within 28 days of the current visa expiring. The application for further leave will be refused if an individual has overstayed his/her visa by more than 28 days when you apply.

"If you have no right to be in the country we expect you to leave voluntarily and we will enforce your return if you fail to do so. Where we need to enforce someone's return they may be subject to a ban on re-entering the UK."

UKBA has also announced minor changes to the Tier 1 Exceptional talent route. It includes widening the eligibility by allowing Tier 2 (General) migrants and sponsored researchers who are Tier 5 (Temporary worker) migrants to switch into the Exceptional Talent route while they are in the UK. Further, Botswana and Malaysia have joined the list of low-risk countries, whose nationals applying for a Tier 4 student visa benefit from a streamlined UK visa application process.

Still if you have any doubt, please let us know at 09814104562 OR send e-mail at info@GREcoaching.com

An inquiry into an English language test scam at Curtin University has found usernames and passwords were shared to falsify scores.

A Corruption and Crime Commission report tabled in Parliament today found a former Curtin University staff member accepted bribes to log into the International English Language Testing System under another staff member's name to change scores. The tests are part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's application process for visas or permanent residency.

Mr Kok Keith Low, a former staffer at the university, is one of 12 people to receive sentences for a total of 73 counts of bribery.

Mr Low is currently serving a two-year sentence over his involvement in the scheme.The report said a number of factors allowed Mr Low to alter the scores of those doing the IELTS tests including:

• Curtin staff were involved in the testing shared usernames and passwords to access the Australia-wide IELTS database if it crashed, allowing Mr Low to logon using the name of other staff.
  
  
• The IELTS database could only detect the last score entered and could not track changes made to test scores.
  
  
• Periodical audits of the test forms used in the tests were not conducted. Curtin University has since cancelled its involvement in IELTS and the database has been upgraded.

The United States Embassy in India today announced it is implementing a new visa processing system throughout India that will further standardize procedures and will simplify fee payment and appointment scheduling through a new website at www.ustraveldocs.com/in. Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs, Julia Stanley, announced at a press conference here today that beginning September 26, 2012 U.S. visa applicants will be able to pay application fees via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with their mobile phones. They can also pay in cash at more than 1,800 Axis bank branches.

For more information click here

The UK Border Agency has revoked (withdrawn) London Metropolitan University's licence to sponsor students from outside the European Union.

The withdrawal of London Metropolitan University's licence means that it is removed from the register of licensed sponsors, and students from outside the European Union are no longer allowed to study at the university.

We understand that international students at London Metropolitan University may be concerned.

London Metropolitan University students who are already in the UK with a current, valid UK visa do not need to do anything immediately.

A government-led taskforce is being created, which will include the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Universities UK, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the UK Border Agency and the National Union of Students. This will work with London Metropolitan to support those affected and enable appropriately qualified genuine students to find another institution where they can continue their studies in the UK. The taskforce will start work immediately.

If an existing London Metropolitan University student with a current, valid visa is on holiday outside the UK, they can return to the UK.

New students who were planning to travel to the UK to start studying with London Metropolitan University should not travel.

Doctors, dentists, nurses and engineers have dominated the first round of skilled migrants invited to formally apply for visas under the government’s new online SkillSelect service. 

Accountants, ICT analysts and programmers were also strongly represented in the 100 invitations in the first round, which drew the highest scoring candidates from the initial expressions of interest (EOI).

“This is an excellent result for the economy, employers, and ultimately for Australia,” a spokesman from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said today. 

“SkillSelect helps to ensure the skilled migration program is based on the economic needs of Australia. It supports the government in managing who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers.”

More than 10 000 skilled people have completed EOIs through www.skillselect.gov.au since it went live on July 1.

Earlier this month, the first automated invitation round for skilled independent (90 visas) and skilled regional family-sponsored (10 visas) was completed. 

The lowest points score invited was 75 points in both the skilled independent and skilled family sponsored visas.  This is significantly above the 60 point pass mark, and demonstrates the quality of the skilled people interested in migrating to Australia, and the benefits of selecting only the best.

“The points score varied from 75 up to 85 across the two visa subclasses,” the spokesman said.

“Additionally, almost 400 skilled people have been invited since July 1 following nominations lodged by state and territory governments.

“More than 160 of these invited clients have already lodged their visa applications, and the others have 60 days to lodge their documentation using DIAC’s electronic lodgement system,” he added.

Full details of the first round of SkillSelect visa invitations are available at www.skillselect.gov.au.

Canada Visa Applicants may please be informed that there is a change in the Visa application forms for applying for a Canada visa.

The new and updated forms are available on the VFS website: http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html

Applicants & Travel agents are strongly advised to use the new forms in order to ensure timely processing of their visa application.

Note: Please ensure that your computer is installed with Adobe version 9.0 in order to view and download the forms.

Still if you have any doubt, please let us know at 09814104562 OR send e-mail at info@GREcoaching.com

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today marked a significant milestone in its efforts to provide relief to victims of crimes by approving the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status, also referred to as the U-visa. This is the third straight year USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U-visas in 2008.

Each year, 10,000 U-visas are available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U-visa petition requires law enforcement certification of assistance in the investigation or prosecution of crimes.

"The U-visa is an important tool aiding law enforcement to bring criminals to justice," said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. "At the same time, we are able to provide immigration protection to victims of crime and their families. Both benefits are in the interest of the public we serve."

In recent years, USCIS has greatly expanded its public education and outreach effort through partnerships with law enforcement agencies and service providers. As part of this effort, USCIS officers have traveled to more than 40 cities, including Denver, New York City, Newark, and San Antonio, to train federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and immigrant-serving organizations on immigration protections available to individuals who are victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes.

The program was created by Congress to strengthen the law enforcement community's ability to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes while at the same time offering protection to victims. More than 61,000 victims and their family members have received U-visas since the implementation of this program in 2008.
USCIS will continue to accept new petitions as they are received until the end of the current fiscal year, and will resume issuing U-visas on Oct. 1, 2012, the first day of fiscal year 2013 when new visas are available.

This is to inform you that the CIC in New Delhi and Chandigarh has made the following changes to the SPP for the January 2013 intake as of September 1, 2012:

1. A minimum IELTS band score of 5.5 will be implemented for all programs that require 6.0 bands overall.

2. Applicants are now able to deposit $10,000 into a GIC at Scotia Bank for living expenses. The amount will be disbursed as follows:

a. $2,000 upon arrival

b. $2,000 every two months thereafter

This is an added value feature for applicants in India and is based on the New Zealand model that is already in place in India. Applicants who make a deposit of $10,000 improve their chances of receiving a Study Visa. Please keep in mind that this DOES NOT replace the first semester tuition payment to the institution. The CIC will be getting back to all SPP colleges regarding the mechanisms applicants can use to make a GIC deposit in the coming weeks. This deposit MUST be made in India and not by a relative outside of India including Canada.

Still if you have any doubt, please let us know at 09814104562 OR send e-mail at info@GREcoaching.com

U.S consulate Hyderabad is discontinuing the advance submission of documents for all BEP cases and regular petition based (H & L) cases with effect from August 6. The last interview date for advance submission will be this Friday, August 3. Anyone with appointments from August 6 onwards is required to carry their documents directly to the consulate on the day of their interview.

GRE General Revised Test fees reduced to $175 w.e.f. 1st July, 2012

SPP program for India have been extended for one more year means students will be able to apply under this program for May 2012, September 2012, January 2013 sessions. Most of the rules are same as they have been during last 3 years but there are few changes

Any one who has been refused earlier under SPP program will not be eligible to apply.
Any submission of fraudulent documents or bank statement will result into immediate refusal.
There are more chances that the candidate will have to undergo an interview.
Candidates are advised to submit medical report along with the application.
It's recommended that the candidate should submit their application at least 3 months prior to the start of their course.

1. For May intake any application submitted after 1st April wont have good chances to get processed.
2. For September intake any application submitted after 1st August wont have good chances to get processed.
3. For January intake any application submitted after 1st December wont have good chances to get processed.