Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the requirement for Tier 5 working visas on the ability of the English language schools in Northern Ireland to continue to attract students from across Europe.

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union and the ending of free movement on 31 December 2020, the UK’s points-based system means all seeking entry to the UK are treated on an equal basis, not based on whether they hold an EU or Non-EU passport..

The government has reformed immigration routes to ensure the English language teaching sector can continue to recruit international students, including those from the EU.

The Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa provides individuals with the opportunity to complete training, a work experience placement, English language course or conduct research for a period of up to two years.

The visitor route was also reformed to allow individuals to undertake a range of activities in the UK, including academics taking part in formal exchange arrangements and students studying English at an accredited institution in the UK for up to 6 months. Citizens of many countries including all current EU, EEA countries and Switzerland, can visit the UK without a visa. The reform to the visitor route also meant eligible nationals can now use e-gates to enter the UK when arriving for periods of study up to 6 months.

Following the introduction of the new Student route in October 2020, international students can undertake work placements as part of their course. To be able to undertake a work placement, the placement must be an integrated and assessed part of the course and must account for less than 33 percent of the total length of the course (or 50 percent if the student is undertaking a course at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance).

Students undertaking study at an Overseas Higher Education Institution can come to the UK on a Student visa to undertake a short-term study abroad programme as part of their course at degree level or above.

The UK Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to work or study.