The European Commission has proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.
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The latest provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the net migration figure for the year ending June 2012 was 163,000 - a fall of 84,000 from the previous year.
Changes to immigration rules
According to the Government, this fall follows a number of changes introduced to the immigration rules, including a tightening up of the immigration routes where abuse was most common. The Government claims that its changes will ensure the country continues to attract highly skilled workers and genuine, talented students.
Migration figures
The ONS figures also show that:
New figures released by UCAS have shown that the UK remains a popular destination for international students.
...A recent inspection by the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has found that the quality of the decisions made by the UK Border Agency for Tier 4 applications was good, but improvements were needed in the way the Agency licensed and managed Tier 4 sponsors.
...London Metropolitan University has confirmed that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has revoked its Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students.
...A new pilot scheme offering universities a range of specialist immigration services has been launched, recognising the importance of universities within the higher education sector.
...Ahead of the summer surge in student visa applications, UK Border Agency officers will be given new powers to interview international students and refuse visas if they are not satisfied the applicant is genuine, the Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced.
...Students who worked as interns in the UK last summer and want to return to a graduate job with the same company are now temporarily exempt from cooling off rules, according to the UK Border Agency.
...The Government should switch to a more rational method of measuring student migration flows and only count students who stay on in the UK permanently in net migration figures, according to a new report published by the think tank IPPR.
...The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a report on the 2009 implementation of a points based route, known as Tier 4, by which students from countries outside the European Economic Area can study in the UK.
...New rules will come into force within weeks to ensure that the brightest and the best students can stay and work in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced.
...Private higher education colleges face being devastated by a 'misplaced' clampdown on overseas students, CentreForum has warned.
...Tough new rules and enforcement action to stop abuse of the student visa system mean that over 450 education providers will no longer be able to sponsor new international students.
According to a report issued by the European Commission, foreign students still experience difficulties coming to the EU to study, due to an uneven implementation of the relevant EU legislation.
