学生签证系统将于3月31日在英国启动

　　搜狐出国3月12日讯：

　　英国政府本周一宣布了其计点积分制学生签证层级的启动日期。

　　官方信息：全面解读留英学生签证计点积分制 新闻发布会实录

　　自三月三十一日起，希望赴英留学的中国学生可以通过新的计点积分制系统申请签证, 这一系统将简化学生签证申请程序。

　　在这一新的清楚透明的系统下，中国学生需要证明他们已被由英国边境管理局认可的教育机构录取，并有能力担负其留英期间的学习生活费用，他们还需向当地的签证申请中心提供其生物指纹信息。

　　目前，英国境内有超过六万名全日制学习的中国籍留学生。2008年，我们共计签发超过27,000份学生签证，比2007年增长了21%。而不断增长的人民币对英镑汇率更使留英学习费用问题变得轻松容易。

　　签证申请系统的改变可以允许学生们在递交申请前就衡量自己是否是合格的申请者，这使得整个申请过程更加清楚简捷。我们敦促所有希望赴英留学的人士登录英国边境管理局UKBA的网站，详细了解新规定以确保他们申请的审理过程顺利快捷。

　　一旦获得签证, 新规定将允许国际学生在学期内每周从事兼职工作不超过20小时, 假期当中从事全职工作,以及任何与学业相关的工作.记点积分制第一层级:毕业后工作签证使得已毕业的学生可以在英国取得长至两年签证，来获取工作经验.

　　有史以来的第一次,现在所有私立收取费用的学校,学院及大学若想要招收国际学生到校学习,他们就需要首先获取政府的批准.这将帮助英国政府打击那些冒牌的学校,而这对于很多中国学生将是一个好消息,他们现在可以确定他们将前往学习的语言学校,学院或大学是一个已获认可的合法教育机构.截至目前,已有超过千所英学府报名作为国际学生的担保机构.

　　但是如果发现申请者使用了虚假材料,撒谎或对相关信息有所保留的情况,英国边境管理局将拒绝他们的申请, 并可能禁止在10年内前往英国.　　

　　更多签证相关信息，可参见

　　英国使馆及领事馆网站：ukinchina.fco.gov.uk

　　英国签证申请中心网站：www.vfs-uk-cn.com

　　相关阅读：详解2009英国学生签证政策重大变化
　　

　　英文版：　　

　　New student immigration system set to launch in UK on 31st March 2009

　　BEIJING: 12 March 2009

　　The UK Government on Monday announced the go-live date for the student tier of its new points-based system for migration.

　　From 31st March, Chinese students looking to study in the UK can apply for their visa through the new points-based system which will streamline the Student visa application process.

　　Under the new transparent system, Chinese students will need to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by a education institution which is licensed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). They will also need to prove that they have the means to support themselves and supply their biometric details at their local visa application centre.

　　There are currently over 60,000 Chinese students in full time education in the United Kingdom. In 2008 we issued over 27,000 student visas, an increase of 21% over 2007. The increasing strength of the Chinese currency against sterling now makes study in the United Kingdom even more affordable.

　　The changes to the visa application system will allow students to check whether they are eligible for a visa before they even apply, making the whole system more straightforward. We would urge anyone considering studying in the UK to visit the UKBA website now to familiarise themselves with the new regulations and ensure their application can be processed as quickly as possible.

　　If granted a visa, the new regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during term time, full time work during the holidays as well as any course related work placements. PBS Tier 1 Post Study Work provides for graduate students to gain work experience in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years.

　　For the first time, all independent fee-paying schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students to study with them now need a licence to do so. This will help the UK Government crack down on bogus colleges, something which will be welcome news to many Chinese students, who can now be sure the language school, college or university they intend to study at is an approved educational institution. So far over a thousand UK institutions have signed up to sponsor international students.

　　But the UK Border Agency will refuse your application and you may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information.

　　Notes:

　　For further information about the Points Based System, including the launch of Tier 4 (students), please refer to the UK Border Agency Websites (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk & www.ukvisas.gov.uk)