2014 UK Immigration Rules came into effect on April 6, 2014. The rules relaxed the requirement that investments must be completed within 3 months of entry. However, there were no significant changes to policies regarding international students.
Current UK immigration policy requires investors to complete their investment within 3 months of entering the UK; otherwise, they will be unable to renew their visas. The new policy relaxes this time limit, allowing investors to still be approved for visa renewal if they require an extension due to force majeure. Furthermore, the previously rumored proposal to raise the investment threshold was not reflected in these amendments.
In addition, the new policy simplifies the requirements for proof of funds for entrepreneur visas; if the funds are held in a joint account between the applicant and their spouse, there is no need to provide third-party certification. Although these changes regarding investment time and capital are attractive to Chinese capitalists and business people, the situation is not as optimistic for the large number of Chinese students. While UK universities aim to attract more international students to study in the UK, it is not easy for graduates to remain in the UK to work or live afterward. Because the UK academic system is generally short, international students often struggle to integrate into the mainstream culture and language after their short-term studies, making them less competitive. Moreover, according to relevant UK regulations, the duration of study for students in the UK below the master's degree level cannot exceed 8 years, which also means that the possibility of international students legally transitioning to permanent residency after 10 years of legal residence cannot be guaranteed.
