Simplified visa norms will help Indians: Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has welcomed the UK Home Office’s decision to introduce a Tier 4 pilot visa scheme. According to Graham Virgo, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Cambridge, a pilot scheme to streamline the international student visa process could benefit Indian students applying for a master’s course at the varsity.

As many as 150 Indian postgraduates are currently studying at Cambridge, which is one of only four higher education institutions in the UK to run trials of the new Tier 4 visa application pilot, which simplifies the visa process and extends post-study leave from two to six months.

Under the Home Office pilot launched in July, students applying for their visa will be required to submit fewer documents alongside their visa applications.

Applications from Indian students to University of Cambridge master’s courses have been steadily rising since 2013. Between 2013-14 and 2015-16, there was a 4.2% rise in applications from Indian students applying for a postgraduate course at the varsity. There was a 13.67% rise between 2014-15 and 2015-16 in offers to Indian nationals applying for postgraduate course at the university. The two-year trial will apply for 2016-17 and 201718 entries, with the Home Office likely to publish its evaluation of the pilot in 2019. All overseas applicants to Cambridge applying for a visa to undertake a master’s course of 13 months or less will automatically be considered under the scheme.

Students will not be required to submit financial documents or their previous academic qualifications when applying for their visa. They will, however, be subject to immigration rules and undergo Home Office security and identity checks. The extension to students’ post-study leave means students who enrol on master’s courses at Cambridge will have more time to find work after graduating, or to pursue further studies in the UK.