Tier 1 visa, all US taught masters degrees are now 0 points on PB calculator

Now that is VERY interesting...


Vicky

No kidding...wow...just wow.... 

Could someone please forward me the link for the database.  I'm currently looking at Master programs in the States and find this a little concern. 

It's on the Home Office Tier 1 self assessment page.

Vicky

Thanks, normally when I use the Points-based calculator I just assume 35 points.  After spending some considerable time with the calculator I found that MBA's (at least in the State of California) are accepted as 35 points.

So I sent NARIC an email (asking for a clarification)

And I got the bog standard (reply)
So guys, I'd say if you're concerned about your degrees, then give NARIC a call, looks like its the most sensible option.

I had a similar experience asking for a clarification about what constitutes "further specialisation" on a bachelor's and providing the specifics of my case, including a master's degree that I have partly completed. They sent the same form letter (well, form email), closing with the oh-so-helpful "I hope this information is of assistance to you.  If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us." Yes, well, I *had* a further query, which you have ignored. 

So I'm left not knowing until I finish the degree, at some expense, whether it will be worth anything towards the PBS.

Bump for Garry...

Bump for Garry...

Many thanks Kitson.   

There was a standing-room only crowd at this event with people literally flowing out into the outer hallway trying to listen. 

Accordingly I felt there was time for a single item only from UKY's agenda and I concluded that the PBS calculator was more urgent.  But that's ONLY because we are already booked to present the courier's issue in May.  Otherwise I would have pressed couriers because family is more important to UKY's core interest.

Briefly, there are *issues* with the PBS calculator, and there's been a lot of back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth  between various law firms and UKBA about it.  And apparently some workarounds have been hammered out, and there was some time spent by the practitioners sharing tips on the best way to have successful applicants.   Hopefully these will have some shape and organization when the minutes are published next week.

If you are contemplating a T1 application, and the PBS calculator is screwing you up, and you can hold off for a bit, it might be advisable to do so. 

I also spoke with two practitioners who have developed successful practice areas placing Americans into T1, and they are fully up to speed on the various swings and roundabouts on Americans getting T1 visas.  It's critical to get a qualified lawyer to be sure it's all done right.  Also more on that when I sort my notes.

Well done on the update, Garry. Thanks for that.

Hi!  I'm a little panicked!  I have both a bachelor's degree in social work as well as master's degree in social work.  Does this make me eligible to say that my qualification is "taught with further specialisation from bachelor programme"?  This is what I entered the other night when initially using the calculator--the thought never even crossed my mind that it would make that much of a difference. 

Anyone have any advice on this? 

Thanks a lot!

Ashley

Hi!  I'm a little panicked!  I have both a bachelor's degree in social work as well as master's degree in social work.  Does this make me eligible to say that my qualification is "taught with further specialisation from bachelor programme"?  This is what I entered the other night when initially using the calculator--the thought never even crossed my mind that it would make that much of a difference. 

Anyone have any advice on this? 

Thanks a lot!

Ashley

This is part of the problem, there is no guidance on what those things actually mean.  It sounds right to me.  Does it give you the points you require?  Basically from what we understand, the ECO has no specific guidance, so the ECO would hopefully err on the side of your judgment and use the same selection.

The only way to ensure that your US Master is equivalent to a UK Masters is to get yourself a NARIC Statement of Compatibility: http://www.naric.org.uk/index.asp?page=17.  If I were you and you have different scenarios in the calculator where you get points and in some cases you don't, I wouldn't leave it up to the guesswork of the ECO.  If they have a NARIC Statement and it says "equivalent to a UK Masters" they should award you the points no matter what selections they can make in the database.

If you do decide to forgo the Statement, just make sure you include in a cover letter what you believe you are entitled regarding points so the ECO is clear what they should be choosing in the database, that way there is no confusion.

And for completeness, as Garry said, there are several immigration practitioners who have experience with the new database and ensuring that people get points where points are do, so don't hesitate to seek out professional advice.

I'm back!

I would say that you SHOULDN'T get the NARIC letter.  The database clearly states that your qualifications are comparable with the UK Masters.  If you apply for the NARIC letter, it might (though probably won't) tell you something else which may not help you.

If you don't have a NARIC letter, the caseworker will make the same assumption that you have, that you qualify.

Vicky

Nothing to add to this discussion....

Just to say WELCOME BACK VICKY WE MISSED YOU!!!!!

Good answer!  That's what I wanted to hear!  Thanks for saving me $100!   

All I can say is this news has me DEPRESSED. We had made a very long term plan to wait until our youngest (11 yr. old) was settled in college to make this move, which is roughly 8-9 years. Our youngest has just informed us he'd like to move to the UK. My husband and I had a long sit down and decided we were going to make that move as soon as we could do a little research, had visa's in place, etc. As I was doing my research, I came across the new rules for T1  :\\\'(. Seems like we're never going to get there. Our only hope is that he has a sponsor, which seems like a stretch. Although he has a friend that is on a sponsorship for Burberry's in London, it still seems like a lucky occurance and very unlikely for the majority of the people. Is this change because of the economy? Will it likely change back to the original requirements ?

 

Is this change because of the economy? Will it likely change back to the original requirements ?

It sure is. I doubt they would change the requirements back. Non-EU migrants seem to be an easy political target.