Addis Abeba — The UK government has launched a new immigration system which aims to simplify application process for individuals studying in the UK, the British embassy in Addis Ababa announced on Tuesday.

So from today-March 31st 2009- Ethiopian students looking to study in the UK will be able to apply for their visa through Tier 4 of the new streamlined Points Based System, according to the new system.

.The embassy said under the new transparent system, Ethiopian students will need to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by an education institution which is a UK Border Agency (UKBA) licensed Tier 4 sponsor, prove that they have the means to support themselves, and supply their biometric details at their local visa application centre," a statement from the British embassy in Addis Ababa said.

If granted a visa, the new Tier 4 regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during term time, full time work during the holidays and undertake any course related work placements.

"The UK has a lot to offer international students. Now they see whether they are eligible for a visa before they even apply - making the system much clearer and easier to understand," Susannah Richmond, Entry Clearance Manager of the British Embassy said in a statement sent to The Daily Monitor Tuesday.

"The aim is to make the application process more transparent and straightforward." For the first time, all independent fee-paying schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students to study with them now need a license to do so, according to the new system.

This will help the UK Government crack down on bogus colleges, something which will be welcome news to many Ethiopian students, who can now be sure the language school, college or university they intend to study at is an approved educational institution, the British embassy statement said adding that, so far, over a thousand UK institutions have signed up to sponsor international students.

About the UK Student Visa Applying for a General Student visa or a Child Student visa under Tier 4 is a simple process and should be done in the country of which you are a national or a legal resident.

For ones application to be successful, he or she will need a current passport or travel document, a visa letter from the institution one is planning to study at, Proof of maintenance funds, evidence of any qualifications the sponsoring institution took account of when deciding to accept you for the course you plan to study, plus any other supporting documents relevant to the application.

Applicants will also need to make an appointment at your nearest visa application centre to provide your biometric details (10 digit finger scans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process, the statement said.

Use of false documents lie or with hold relevant information entail banning banned from coming to the UK for 10 years, by the UK Border Agency.

Students looking to study in the UK for six months or less, and who do not wish to take any employment while they are in the UK, or to extend their stay while they are in the country, can enter the UK on a student visitor visa.