International Opportunities and Immigration

Helen Challis & Angela Lin

International Office

International Opportunities Overview

Collaborative PhDs

Summer Schools

Student Grants

Conferences

Joint PhD Programmes Overview

Three options...

Joint PhD Programmes Overview

One programme of collaborative research: supervisors at both institutions

Any discipline (project-permitting)

Joint degree: one certificate with both institutions’ names and logos

Time split according to research, with a minimum of 12 months at Imperial

Asian Summer Schools: Early-Stage PhD Students

Singapore / Hong Kong

1-week course + 3-week research placement

NUS, NTU or A*STAR/ University of Hong Kong

48 students per course drawn

from participating institutions

IDEA League

Summer School

40 students from five partner institutions

Residential 4-day course

Research skills, Communication, Teamwork, International Collaborations

Five partners: Imperial, TU Delft, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, ParisTech

Student Grants

€1,000/month

Research placement2 weeks – 6 months in duration

€18,000 available per year

Tsinghua Summer School

Employability and Entrepreneurship

Grant-writing, commercialisation of research

Alternates between Beijing and London

Late-stage PhD students

1-week

International Office can help you with…

• Visa renewals• Dependent visas• Correcting Entry Clearance mistakes• Travel visas• Family visits• Working during your studies

•Checking permission to work

• Working after your studies

International Office can help you with…

• Visa renewals• Dependent visas• Correcting Entry Clearance mistakes• Travel visas• Family visits• Working during your studies

•Checking permission to work

• Working after your studies

International Office can help you with…

• Visa renewals

•Working during your studies•Checking permission to work

• Working after your studies

Points Based System

Tier 1: Highly Skilled / Post Study Work

Tier 2: skilled workers with a job offer, to fill gaps in the UK labour force

Tier 3: low skilled workers to fill specific temporary labour shortages (dormant)

Tier 4: students

Tier 5: youth mobility and temporary workers

Student Entry Clearance Rules

The applicant needs to prove that s/he:

• Has been accepted on to a full-time course• Has the ability and intention to follow the course

(CAS number: 30 points)

• Has adequate finances(bank statement:

10 points)

Student Visa Rules

• Enrolled on full-time course (no part-time study)

• No ‘gap’ years

• Degree level course OR

15 day-time hours/week at ‘bona-fide’ college

• Enough money without needing to work

Three ways to apply

1. In person at Public Enquiry Office, Croydon -fast but expensive (£650)

2.By post independently - cheaper (£357) but slower)

3.Using the International Office Student Batch Scheme - same cost as postal (£357), added support of College

Student Visa Renewal

Write visa expiry date in diary

1 month before it expires:

• Print & complete visa renewal form

• Collect your supporting documents

• Book appointment / attend a visa clinic in the International Office to get your application checked

Working in the UK during your studies

Non EEA students can work:

• 20 hours per week in term time• Unlimited hours in holiday time• PG students – 20 hours max during dissertation

Special rules for new Europeans, Romanians & Bulgarians

Permission to Work: visa wording

Work / Business as in Tier 4 Rules

No recourse to public fundsWork (and any changes) must be authorised

Limited Leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds. Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State.

Work after your studies

Student visa holder after end of course

(short-term but full-time)

Long-term and full-time (current options)

Tier 1 Post Study Work (2 years)

Tier 1 General: Highly Skilled (3 years)

Tier 2 Skilled Worker (Work Permit)

Tier 1: Post Study Work

• Launched June 2008• Permission to remain in the UK to work and look for work for up to 2 years• Postal application = £550 (in person = £850) • Apply up to 12 months from date when course completion is confirmed

• Guidance from International Office: www.imperial.ac.uk/international/visas

Tier 1 General: Highly Skilled

• Points for Qualifications, Age, Previous Earnings, UK experience, English Language and Maintenance

• Check points at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator

Tier 2

• Job offer (sponsor) required

•Points for Qualifications, Future Salary, Certificate of Sponsorship, English Language and Maintenance

General Tips on Points Based System

• Things are changing – check you have latest advice, application form and follow UKBA guidance

• Maintenance requirement: £800 in UK, £2800 overseas

• Don’t breach your student visa conditions!

• Complete applications only – keep a copy

International Office

• Room 164, Level 1, Sherfield Building

• www.imperial.ac.uk/international

• international@imperial.ac.uk

• Tel 020 7594 8040

Any questions?

More information at:

www.imperial.ac.uk/international

or contact

international@imperial.ac.uk