The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced changes to Tier 4 of the points based immigration system this week following a lengthy consultation with the UK higher education sector.

The UKBA announced in July this year that from April 2012 all institutions wanting to sponsor students will be required to be classed as 'Highly Trusted Sponsors' (HTS) and become accredited by statutory education inspection bodies. Other restrictions were brought in at the same time, such as the requirement of overseas students to speak a determined level of English,  as part of the government’s reforms of the immigration system, to tackle abuse and bring net migration down to ‘sustainable levels’.

The revised guidance sets out what will happen to existing Tier 4 sponsors who do not apply for highly trusted sponsor status by the deadline and details of transitional arrangements for sponsors who do not already have highly trusted sponsor status.

A UKBA spokesperson said in a statement, “the changes to the student visa system will, create a system where every student coming to the UK attends a legitimate course at a legitimate institution. We are also reforming the work route, and change is being planned for the settlement and family routes.”

There will also be changes to Tier 4 sponsor ratings. In future the UKBA will operate only 2 ratings: ‘'A' rating’ and ‘Highly Trusted.’

Speaking at the Universities UK annual conference, Business Secretary, Vince Cable said, “The criteria aim to achieve a sensible balance between attracting genuine students and operating a robust immigration system that denies entry to people with an ulterior motive. “

“You have my absolute assurance that I will continue to work with the UKBA – and with universities – on removing obstacles to the essential business of global intellectual exchange. International students are important for a university’s basic mission and important for the economy; put crudely, HE is an export industry.”