Tier 1 Renewal - Bachelor's Degree

[offstumpfail]

Hi,

I had a quick skim of the first few pages and didn't see this mentioned, so apologies if it already has.

I am in the UK on Tier 1 and intend to renew next year (it expires April 2012).

I just got into a panic because I went through the points-based system calculator on UKBA website and it didn't award any points for my Bachelor's Degree, which causes me to not accumulate enough points.

Digging further, I see that:

* You will score no points for a bachelor's degree if, under the Immigration Rules in place between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010:

* you were given permission to enter the UK under Tier 1 (General); or
* you were given permission to switch into Tier 1 (General) from an immigration category other than those listed above.


Now my initial Tier 1 Application was submitted before they changed the rules - in February 2009. My visa was actually issued on 15 April 2009. If I use the February date I get the points for my Bachelor's and pass the calculator.

Logic would dictate I should be fine but which date will they use for my application date?

Thanks!

[alinet_99]

The guidance state "56. An applicant will be awarded no points
for a Bachelor’s degree if: (a) his last grant of entry clearance was
as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant under the rules in place between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010, "

Your last grant was issued was issued on 15th April 2009 and its not the date you submitted the application.

Senior Members please confirm

[jimmymcad]

You will score no points for a bachelor's degree if, under the Immigration Rules in place between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010:

I have highlighted it, read it carefully. You never applied under this rule category.

Hope it helps.

[offstumpfail]

I'm also looking here:

https://www.points.homeoffice.gov.uk/gu ... R_502_HELP

if you click the Help link from "Enter the date of your first successful Tier 1 application" in points based calculator.

[quote]
Date of application

...

For applications made from outside the United Kingdom this will be taken to be:

the date that the fee associated with the application was paid. This means the date shown on your payment receipt, which depends on how you paid for your visa application, for example, at a British Diplomatic Post, visa application centre or online.
[/quote]

This sounds like I will be OK.

This isn't mentioned anywhere in the Policy Guidance or anywhere else I can find though, so if someone can confirm this it would certainly ease my nerves!

[offstumpfail]

[quote="jimmymcad"]You will score no points for a bachelor's degree if, under the Immigration [b]Rules in place [/b]between 31 March 2009 and 5 April 2010:

I have highlighted it, read it carefully. You never applied under this rule category.

Hope it helps.[/quote]

Just replied at the same time - cheers for answer.

:D

It would be helpful if they'd clarify this in the policy guidance though!