Immigration newsletter 28 Jul 2010

Following an important High Court victory on 23 June 2010 it was judged that maintenance funds assessment must be in line with the immigration rules.  UKBA had brought in a requirement that to meet the requirements for a Tier Visa the relevant maintenance funds had to be in your bank account for a continuous period of three months instead of just on the day the application is made as under the immigration rules.  

UK immigration now says that you will meet the requirement as long as in any one day in the one month period preceding your application you had sufficient maintenance funds for both you and your family. This is actually more generous than under the immigration rules.

UK Immigration is making or has already made a number of significant changes to the UK tier 4 visa scheme for students including changes to the English language requirements:

If you wish to come under Tier 4 (General) on or after 12 August 2010 and will be on a course below NQF Level 6 you must at an English language ability at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This excludes Foundation Degree courses or an English language course.

The Canadian Government will be providing $300,000 of funding over four years to provide learning opportunities from ethnic groups to help them better participate in Canadian society.  This was announced recently by Colin Carrie, Oshawa Member of Parliament on behalf of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. MP Colin Carrie had the following to say:

 “Canada’s future depends on all of us growing together through our shared values, history and institutions.”

If you wish to join or marry your British citizen spouse or a permanent resident in the UK you will from 29 November 2010 need to pass an English language test with an approved test provider.  

Immigration Minister Damian Green had the following to say:

“Speaking English promotes integration into British society and broadens opportunities. The new rules will help ensure that migrant spouses are able to participate in British life from the outset and integrate more easily into wider UK society”.