International students in the U.S

International Students in the U.S

by NewsUSA
The United States government revoked its decision to deport international students whose course moved to fully online due to Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The decision came after Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sued the government over the plan. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Massachusetts who was expected to preside over oral argument says, “the parties have come to a settlement. They will return to the status quo”. Overall, it is an extraordinary news specially for the students who were residing in the U.S and feared their deportation from the country. The policy could have effected F-1 & M-1 visa holders, which is mainly for academic & vocational students. International students contributed about $45 billion in to the U.S economy in 2018, according to the U.S commerce department.
dependents travel

UK Government confirms Right to work for Postgraduate dependents

by NewsUnited Kingdom

Are you a Postgraduate student looking to take your dependents along to the United Kingdom? 

The UK government has confirmed that the dependents of Tier-4 postgraduate students who get post study work permit (PSW) from 2021 will have “full access to UK labor market and at any skill level”. The then UK government closed right to work (PSW) to drive down immigration numbers in April 2012. The British government has further provided the details of their plan for a new UK point-based immigration system to be launched next year (2021).

On successful completion of Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, students will be able to stay for 2 years in the UK while it will be 3 years for Ph.D students. The students at postgraduate Masters or Ph.D level, studying full time for at least 9 months at a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI), will be able to bring their dependents (spouse,children). However, the dependents application should be linked to the main applicant. Dependents will have full access to the UK labor market and can work at any skill level. According to the new immigration rules (to be applicable in 2021), the UK government will also be removing the study time limit for students at postgraduate level.

You can read the statement issue by UK Government here.

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UK Visa updates

by NewsUnited Kingdom

The British Government has decided to open their Embassy in Pakistan from July 2020. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan “Dr. Christian Turner CMG” announced in his tweet on 9th July that the Visa Application Centers will be opening from 27th July. Following are the updates we have so far from UKVI:

  • Customers who have already booked their appointment with Gerry’s before the closure of High Commission in Pakistan, can book a new appointment.
  • Customers who will be visiting the Visa Application Centers may be asked to take precautionary measures; undergo temperature checks, physical distancing, wear face-masks. Customers might be asked to reschedule their appointments if they are showing up some COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, difficulty in breathing or cough and will be advised to seek medical attention.
  • UKVI will not be offering the following services until advised: Super Priority Visa, Priority Visa Service (visit), Priority Visa for Settlement Service and Walk-in services.
  • Due to the current pandemic situation, the customers will also be advised to purchase Courier Return of their Documents to avoid revisiting the Visa Application Center.
  • Visa seekers will be contacted by Gerry’s once the decision has been made and their passport is ready for collection.
  • NOTE – Visa Application Center in Mirpur remains closed until further notice.