You could qualify for a tax refund if you are an overseas student, work permit holder, Tier 1, Yellow or Blue Card holder - in fact any visa type – even if you are no longer legal!
Wherever you are working in the world, whether on a work permit or student visa or even illegally, the bad news is you will have to pay tax.
The good news is that you may now be able to claim a lot of this money back!
Even non-studying Tier 4 students and UK visa overstayers, who are most likely still paying tax on their illegal earnings to the government, can qualify for a tax refund.
How to claim a tax refund
Taxback.com provides tax refunds in 16 countries worldwide including the UK. So whether you were a care worker in Britain, a Domestic Worker in London or worked construction in Melbourne taxback.com can help you.
Taxaback.com provides a unique FREE tax refund calculators, so you can find out how much you’re owed right away.
No refund - No fee
Plus taxback.com operates under a strict No Win-No Fee policy so if you worked in the UK, US or Oz you will only have to pay if you get a refund. To apply for your refund now simply register here and download your tax pack. It’s so easy!
Taxback.com Average Customer Refunds:
Australia Income Tax $2,500 Australia Superannuation $1480
US $800 Canada $904
UK £963 Ireland €840
Just arrived?
No need to wait before leaving a country to get your tax back.
If you have just entered any of the following countries, get in touch with taxback.com now to get your tax refund process in place:
*Canada
*New Zealand
*Australia
*United Kingdom
*USA
If you have any questions contact taxback.com’s live chat team about your tax refund now – they are only a click away.
Friday, 10 February 2012
UK Immigration and visa fees to rise again
UK Immigration Minister Damian Green has issued a written ministerial statement outlining a proposed hike in visa and in-country application immigration fees.
The proposals, which will almost certainly be implemented, will be laid in Parliament in 2 separate regulations and, subject to Parliamentary approval, the government hopes to bring the new fees into force from 6 April 2012.
Immigration minister, Damian Green said:
'It is only fair that those who use and benefit from the immigration system contribute a higher share of the cost of running it - reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer.'
Fees will increase by only 2 per cent in the majority of cases, but there will be higher increases on certain routes.
A full list of the proposed fees and the written ministerial statement, which can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Source: UK Border Agency.
EU migrants, such as Romanian and Bulgarian citizens applying for yellow cards, do not pay fees, but are charged for an appeal against a refusal.
The government recently introduced new fees for immigration and asylum appeals.
See also:
How will the new ‘minimum salary for residency’ proposals affect you?
Settlement in UK to be linked to a minimum salary of £31,000 says Immigration Minister
New fees for immigration and asylum appeals
Employment restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians extended until end of 2013
7 tips for completing a Yellow Card BR1 application to work and study in the UK
Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
The proposals, which will almost certainly be implemented, will be laid in Parliament in 2 separate regulations and, subject to Parliamentary approval, the government hopes to bring the new fees into force from 6 April 2012.
Immigration minister, Damian Green said:
'It is only fair that those who use and benefit from the immigration system contribute a higher share of the cost of running it - reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer.'
Fees will increase by only 2 per cent in the majority of cases, but there will be higher increases on certain routes.
A full list of the proposed fees and the written ministerial statement, which can be found on the UK Border Agency website. Source: UK Border Agency.
EU migrants, such as Romanian and Bulgarian citizens applying for yellow cards, do not pay fees, but are charged for an appeal against a refusal.
The government recently introduced new fees for immigration and asylum appeals.
See also:
How will the new ‘minimum salary for residency’ proposals affect you?
Settlement in UK to be linked to a minimum salary of £31,000 says Immigration Minister
New fees for immigration and asylum appeals
Employment restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians extended until end of 2013
7 tips for completing a Yellow Card BR1 application to work and study in the UK
Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Tier 4 student visa laws 'harm universities' says former Education Minister
UK universities are missing out on students from India because of the Government tightening immigration controls, a former education minister warns.
Labour's Baroness Blackstone said the country risked being in a "very unfortunate position" when it came to attracting lucrative overseas students – worth billions of pounds to UK universities.
Her concerns were echoed by several peers at question time in the House of Lords, but Home Office minister Lord Henley said latest UCAS figures showed a 13% increase in university applications from students from outside the European Union.
Lady Blackstone said: "Some bona fide institutions - universities - have lost as many as 20% of their overseas students, particularly from India.
"The restrictions on employment when graduating will put us in a very unfortunate position compared to our main competitors the United States and Australia, which have much more generous arrangements for students who wish to work for a temporary period when they graduate."
Last year’s changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April is already deterring Tier 4 students form India, which is one of the biggest markets for UK universities.
Labour Viscount Hanworth, a professor at Leicester University, said it was "inappropriate" to treat students along with other immigrants.
He told peers: "The measures designed to combat bogus institutions are also having a severe effect on reputable institutions in the higher education sector. Under normal circumstances, without the impediments created by the Government, their numbers would be expected to follow a steeply upward trend which would be highly profitable for the UK."
Lord Henley told peers it was right to "clamp down on bogus institutions" that were being used "merely as a vehicle to get round immigration rules".
He added: "It might be that there are some particular institutions that have lost out but we have seen proportionate increases elsewhere."
He acknowledged there had been a fall in applicants from the Indian sub-continent, but added: "There have been areas where there have been significant rises - particularly Australasia where there has been an increase of some 20% and Hong Kong 37%." Source: Press Association.
It is not only the universities which are feeling the cold this winter. Last week the Centre Forum think tank warned that the government’s policy to cut immigration is having a devastating effect on private higher education where enrolments to some colleges had fallen by as much as 70% and many other institutions had gone bust.
Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.
“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.
Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.
She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial pressures.
In order to continue their studies in the UK, an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.
See also:
UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal
UK Immigration crackdown on Tier 4 students sees 70% fall in applications to private colleges
New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force
Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns
MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED
HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS
Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes
New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?
Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown
UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student
Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?
Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?
UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.
Labour's Baroness Blackstone said the country risked being in a "very unfortunate position" when it came to attracting lucrative overseas students – worth billions of pounds to UK universities.
Her concerns were echoed by several peers at question time in the House of Lords, but Home Office minister Lord Henley said latest UCAS figures showed a 13% increase in university applications from students from outside the European Union.
Lady Blackstone said: "Some bona fide institutions - universities - have lost as many as 20% of their overseas students, particularly from India.
"The restrictions on employment when graduating will put us in a very unfortunate position compared to our main competitors the United States and Australia, which have much more generous arrangements for students who wish to work for a temporary period when they graduate."
Last year’s changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April is already deterring Tier 4 students form India, which is one of the biggest markets for UK universities.
Labour Viscount Hanworth, a professor at Leicester University, said it was "inappropriate" to treat students along with other immigrants.
He told peers: "The measures designed to combat bogus institutions are also having a severe effect on reputable institutions in the higher education sector. Under normal circumstances, without the impediments created by the Government, their numbers would be expected to follow a steeply upward trend which would be highly profitable for the UK."
Lord Henley told peers it was right to "clamp down on bogus institutions" that were being used "merely as a vehicle to get round immigration rules".
He added: "It might be that there are some particular institutions that have lost out but we have seen proportionate increases elsewhere."
He acknowledged there had been a fall in applicants from the Indian sub-continent, but added: "There have been areas where there have been significant rises - particularly Australasia where there has been an increase of some 20% and Hong Kong 37%." Source: Press Association.
It is not only the universities which are feeling the cold this winter. Last week the Centre Forum think tank warned that the government’s policy to cut immigration is having a devastating effect on private higher education where enrolments to some colleges had fallen by as much as 70% and many other institutions had gone bust.
Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.
“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.
Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.
She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial pressures.
In order to continue their studies in the UK, an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.
See also:
UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal
UK Immigration crackdown on Tier 4 students sees 70% fall in applications to private colleges
New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force
Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns
MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED
HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS
Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes
New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?
Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown
UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student
Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?
Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?
UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.
Immigration crackdown on Tier 4 students sees 70% fall in applications to private colleges
City AM reports that the UK government’s policy to cut immigration is having a devastating effect on private higher education, according to a new report published last week.
Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.
“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.
The report quotes Dr John Sanders, who was principal of London’s Cavendish College until its closure as an independent college this month.
“I find it incredible that the UK Border Agency considers the likes of Cavendish College to be a threat to immigration control,” Sanders said.
“There is now an enormous disparity in the treatment of international students in the private sector compared with those in public colleges and universities. The government clearly does not care how it reaches its net migration target.” Source: City Am.
UK Universities appear to be the beneficiaries of the private sector’s demise, with applications from non-EU students rising against a declining trend in the number of resident students, according to UCAS figures revealed this month.
For instance, in order to continue their studies in the UK an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.
Earlier this month Immigration Matters reported that UK universities had seen a 13.7% increase in applications from overseas students from non-EU countries, despite changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April.
Immigration Matters has received hundreds of comments and emails from Tier 4 students who have been left stranded, and often broke, after their college had closed down or been removed from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register or 'Register of Sponsors Licensed Under the Points-based System'.
Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.
She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial reasons.
‘The first thing to do is seek professional advice rather than panicking or hiding. Also talk to your college and find out exactly what is their status, as only they, the regulator and the UK Border Agency will normally have this information. There is no official list of suspended or revoked colleges published by the UK Border Agency, and websites which claim to publish lists of suspended colleges are usually out of date or publishing inaccurate and often misleading information.
‘If your college has been suspended from the Tier 4 sponsors register you can continue studying until they get their licence back or your visa expires.
‘However, if their licence has been revoked you will normally be given 60 days in which to find another Tier 4 sponsor.
Cynthia adds that many of the students have paid for courses in advance and do not have enough money left to prove maintenance in order to apply for a new visa.
Others are affected by the ‘3 year rule’ because they have failed to complete a course or make satisfactory academic progress with their previous college.
In some cases this is because the college has closed and the student can no longer obtain a progress report, but sometimes it is the fault of the student who has not taken the course seriously or has run away without paying their fees.
Finally, Cynthia reminds Tier 4 students that they must be studying to legally remain in the UK.
‘I have come across hundreds of students who have not yet registered with another college, are not in full time study, but have continued to work illegally.
‘If you get caught you will be deported and banned from returning to the UK for up to 10 years, and your employer could be fined up to £10,000.’
See also:
UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal
New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force
Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns
MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED
HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS
Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes
New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?
Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown
UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student
Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?
Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?
UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.
Prohibiting some international students, those studying at private institutions, from working part-time to support their studies in the UK must be reversed, the Centre Forum think tank argued.
“Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 per cent,” the report said.
The report quotes Dr John Sanders, who was principal of London’s Cavendish College until its closure as an independent college this month.
“I find it incredible that the UK Border Agency considers the likes of Cavendish College to be a threat to immigration control,” Sanders said.
“There is now an enormous disparity in the treatment of international students in the private sector compared with those in public colleges and universities. The government clearly does not care how it reaches its net migration target.” Source: City Am.
UK Universities appear to be the beneficiaries of the private sector’s demise, with applications from non-EU students rising against a declining trend in the number of resident students, according to UCAS figures revealed this month.
For instance, in order to continue their studies in the UK an in-country student whose private college has closed down has no choice but to enrol at a more expensive government owned university or college, as this is the only option if they need to work part time or re-sponsor their dependants.
Earlier this month Immigration Matters reported that UK universities had seen a 13.7% increase in applications from overseas students from non-EU countries, despite changes to Tier 4 student visa rules and the abolition of PSW this April.
Immigration Matters has received hundreds of comments and emails from Tier 4 students who have been left stranded, and often broke, after their college had closed down or been removed from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register or 'Register of Sponsors Licensed Under the Points-based System'.
Cynthia Barker, Immigration Adviser for Bison UK, is receiving distressed calls from students on a daily basis.
She offers this advice for students who discover that their private college has had their Tier 4 Sponsors Licence suspended, revoked or has simply closed down due to financial reasons.
‘The first thing to do is seek professional advice rather than panicking or hiding. Also talk to your college and find out exactly what is their status, as only they, the regulator and the UK Border Agency will normally have this information. There is no official list of suspended or revoked colleges published by the UK Border Agency, and websites which claim to publish lists of suspended colleges are usually out of date or publishing inaccurate and often misleading information.
‘If your college has been suspended from the Tier 4 sponsors register you can continue studying until they get their licence back or your visa expires.
‘However, if their licence has been revoked you will normally be given 60 days in which to find another Tier 4 sponsor.
Cynthia adds that many of the students have paid for courses in advance and do not have enough money left to prove maintenance in order to apply for a new visa.
Others are affected by the ‘3 year rule’ because they have failed to complete a course or make satisfactory academic progress with their previous college.
In some cases this is because the college has closed and the student can no longer obtain a progress report, but sometimes it is the fault of the student who has not taken the course seriously or has run away without paying their fees.
Finally, Cynthia reminds Tier 4 students that they must be studying to legally remain in the UK.
‘I have come across hundreds of students who have not yet registered with another college, are not in full time study, but have continued to work illegally.
‘If you get caught you will be deported and banned from returning to the UK for up to 10 years, and your employer could be fined up to £10,000.’
See also:
UK University applicants drops 8.7% but non-EU students increase, UCAS figures reveal
New Tier 4 student visa rules now in force
Student visa crackdown damaging our reputation abroad, Universities UK warns
MORE CHALLENGES FOR TIER 4 STUDENTS AS ‘3-YEAR RULE’ APPLIED
HIGHLY TRUSTED PRIVATE COLLEGE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS
Important UK Border Agency update for Tier 4 sponsors – educational oversight and other changes
New Tier 4 sponsor guidance published for Highly Trusted Sponsorship – will your private college qualify?
Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown
UK university setting up a memorial scholarship in memory of murdered Indian student
Can family dependants of Tier 4 Students work while studying in the UK?
Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Looking for a Tier 4 college or University or need advice?
UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.
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