Work Permit with Tier 4 not being issued

[timmo]

I'm writing this on behalf on a friend. He is currently in the UK improving his English, and is soon to apply for a Tier 4 Student (Adult) visa at a NQF 6/QCF 6 level.

The policy guidance for this visa states that he will be allowed to work up-to 20 hours per week, and that he "can do this work without needing to seek our approval".

However, his prospective university has advised him that some students applying from within the UK have only been approved for this visa, while they have *not* received the entitlement to work - and are therefore unable to seek employment.

The university have advised him to leave the United Kingdom and apply from his country of origin, as there is a greater chance of receiving the work permit along with the visa when applying from abroad.

This sounds like particularly bad advice and misinformation to me. There is *nothing* in the policy guidance to suggest that a work permit is even necessary, or that there are any exceptions to the allowance for Tier 4 students to work up-to 20 hours per week when studying at an NQF 6/QCF 6 level.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Much appreciated.

[Greenie]

What's the name of the place where he will be studying?

[timmo]

I would rather not state, but I can verify it has been granted a Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

[Greenie]

Highly trusted status is not sufficient for the right to work. It has to be an HEI or a publicly funded further education college. No one can advise you without knowing the education provider however you are right it makes no difference whether the application is made inside or outside the UK.

[timmo]

Ok. Thanks Greenie.
I've PM'd you, but I believe the institution is accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education, as well as the Association of Independent Higher Education Providers (AIHEP) and the DFE.

[Greenie]

An HEI is a recognised body (ie one with degree awarding powers) or an institution in receipt of public funding as an hei. The list of such organisations in England is here


http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/invest/ ... titutions/

the institution you have mentioned in your pm is not on this list. Essentially an hei is a university, which the organisations in question is not. I have no idea why they are saying he should apply from abroad unless they are aware that ecos are making mistakes.