Guidance

Buckinghamshire New University: sponsor licence suspension

Published 9 March 2015

On 9 March 2015, the sponsor licence held by Buckinghamshire New University was suspended because its application to renew the highly trusted sponsor status was refused.

The suspension took effect immediately and the university was removed from the Tier 4 and Tier 2 sponsor registers.

The university has 20 working days to make representations about the decision to refuse its application to renew its highly trusted sponsor status. If, following the consideration of any representations received in this period, the university still fails to meet the highly trusted sponsor criteria, its licence will be revoked.

1. What this means for students and workers

During the period of suspension, the university can’t sponsor any new international students or workers. If you were sponsored when the suspension happened, you won’t be affected unless you need to apply for an extension and you haven’t already been given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) or certificate of sponsorship (CoS).

This guidance tells you how the decision to suspend the university’s sponsor licence affects you.

2. You’re already studying or working at the university

You’re not affected. Your visa or leave to remain is still valid and you can continue with your studies or work while the university’s sponsor’s licence is suspended.

If the licence is revoked, we’ll let you continue your studies or work until your visa or leave to remain expires.

3. You have a visa to come to the UK but have not yet travelled

We strongly advise you not to travel to the UK until the suspension has been resolved. Check the register of sponsors for any change in the university’s sponsor licence status.

4. You have a CAS or CoS from the university and have applied for your visa or plan to apply for your visa

If your visa application relying on a CAS or CoS was issued before the university’s licence was suspended, we’ll put it on hold until the suspension is resolved. We’ll accept new applications but put them on hold until the suspension is resolved.

5. You have a CAS or CoS from the university and an outstanding application to extend your leave to remain in the UK or you need to apply to extend

If your application to extend your permission to stay (relying on a CAS or CoS) was issued before the university’s licence was suspended, we’ll put it on hold until the suspension is resolved. We’ll accept new applications but put them on hold until the suspension is resolved.

6. You don’t have a CAS or CoS from the university and need to apply to extend

The university can’t assign you a new CAS or CoS while its licence is suspended. If your leave ends during the suspension period, you must find an alternative sponsor or leave the UK.

7. You were on holiday overseas when the university’s licence was suspended

If you have a current valid visa, you can return to the UK and continue studying or working (as long as you meet all other immigration requirements).

8. You intend to travel overseas during the university’s Easter break

If you travel overseas during the Easter break, you can return to the UK and continue studying or working if you have a current valid visa (as long as you meet all other immigration requirements). Students should check the register of sponsors for any change in their sponsor’s circumstances.

9. Advice for students and workers

If you have questions about how this affects you, call the UKVI contact centre on 0300 123 2241 or contact the university’s student support team.