About UKCISA:
Reference material for advisers
An overview of the student immigration rules
An overview of the student immigration rules booklet (last updated 9 September 2011)
This guide provides a summary of the UK Immigration Rules relating to students.
This information is for you if you are a member of staff at an institution which is currently listed on the UK Border Agency's Register of Tier 4 Sponsors. It is aimed at those who need to have an understanding of the key requirements of Tier 4 in order to introduce policies which comply with the law but who are not involved in advising international students directly about their immigration status.
Tier 4 Immigration Rules since 31 March 2009
Click on the relevant date period to see the provisions of the Tier 4 Immigration Rules on any day since Tier 4 was introduced on 31 March 2009. Each version shows how it changed from the previous version through amendments marked up in bold.
Members can find summaries and explanations of the key changes in our Special Briefings.
We have an archive of old versions of the sponsor guidance, policy guidance and any other relevant documents which is available to UKCISA members. These documents can also be found at:
The UKCISA Manual
The UKCISA Manual is the definitive, annually updated guide to regulations
and procedures for international students. It should be on the desk
of every member of staff involved in advising international students.
Its four sections cover Immigration; Fees and Student Support; Welfare,
health and tax benefits; and Council Tax and Northern Ireland rates.
Complimentary copies are sent to the primary contact (one copy each for students'
unions and non-educational institutions; one copy per thousand full-time
equivalent non-UK students). Additional copies can be ordered using
the form:
Information Sheets for Students
UKCISA Information Sheets are intended for international students (though they may also be useful for staff working with them). They provide brief, easy to understand explanations of the issues and topics students most often ask about.
Members in further and higher education institutions, students unions and voluntary organisations may download copies of the Information Sheets freely for internal distribution. All members may link to the Information Sheets from their own websites.
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