Job Description

Job Summary:
The post holder will be responsible for designing and implementing support for students who need to obtain a visa to start their UK education journey, reviewing processes of our students’visa applications, as well as monitoring the processes are in line with UKVI statutory requirements. The Visa Administrator will be responsible for all the operational aspects of complying with the School’s sponsorship duties, under the Tier 4 Points Based System and offering support and guidance to international students, in respect of these regulations and general support and welfare. The Visa Administrator will work closely with colleagues and students across the School, to develop, implement and review processes aimed at ensuring the School complies fully with our Tier 4 sponsor duties and to deliver an outstanding student advice service, with specific responsibility for providing essential immigration advice and guidance to International students.

It will also be necessary for the role holder to liaise regularly with students and maintain up to date records for registered Tier 4 students. The School also enrols a large number of students on Short-term study visas, for which the role holder will
additionally be responsible, delivering accurate advice and sponsorship letters to students applying for these type of visas.

This is a varied and demanding role and requires a good understanding of management education, higher education markets and UK study visas. This role requires a strong, demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple priorities, deliverables, and timelines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Visa processes and coordination:

• Responsible for developing and maintaining systems and guidance for Tier 4 sponsorship processes and compliance.
• Responsible for drafting and interpreting regulations.

• Work closely with the international recruitment and admissions team members, managing the administrative side of student’s admission and registration with regards to their visa and to provide advice on the immigration requirements that an individual applicant must meet in order to register at ESCP Europe Business School,

• Provide comprehensive immigration advice to prospective Tier 4 students and those
registered at the School as they progress through the application / CAS request process.

• Check and process all CAS requests and the corresponding documents thoroughly to
ensure that only genuine students who meet the requirements of Tier 4 are issued with a CAS.

• Track the lifecycle of each CAS issued and submit reports to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office, in accordance with the Tier 4 Sponsor Guidance. This will require communication with Programme Office or/all students who have been issued a CAS, in order to obtain regular updates on the progress of their Tier 4 application, copies of all refusal notices or a copy of the Tier 4 visa, once granted.

• Work closely with the Programme Office as part of the process to monitor the attendance of all registered Tier 4 students, retain an up-to-date summary of attendance levels for these students, including details of any approved absences.

• Reporting in the CAS system any change in Tier-4 students’ status, contact details, work experience, as required.

• Communicate regularly with registered Tier 4 students/Programme Office at ESCP Europe Business School to ensure that our student records are updated to reflect any changes in circumstances.  

• Responsible for carrying out regular audit checks on Tier 4 students’ records, to ensure they are fit for purpose, for announced or unannounced Home Office visits.
• Check and process all Short-term study visa requests and corresponding documents
thoroughly, to ensure only genuine students who meet the requirements are issued with
Short-term visa sponsorship letters.

• Provide reports on visa matters to the Dean of the London Campus and the Head of
Marketing and Admissions.

• Contribute to the development and update of immigration related information for
prospective international students, provided via our websites and any other marketing
material as required.

• Provide effective guidance for staff and students with queries relating to any visa issues, Short-Term, Tier 4, administrative review and dependents.

• Disseminate knowledge within the Programme Office, Admissions and recruitment teams about Visa regulations and procedures.

• Represent the Visa Compliance services as required at meetings and events, including student induction days and open days, and specifically support the School and operation of orientation events for international students.

• Maintain key skills and knowledge and stay abreast of UKVI updates and regulations
pertaining to Tier 4 guidance for sponsors.

• Liaise with key external stakeholders as required, in particular the UKVI.

Person Specifications: Skills/Experience Required:

● Knowledge of Home Office procedures
● Knowledge of the Immigration Rules and the ability to interpret complex rules and
regulations
● The ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal supervision
● Professional verbal and communications skills and the ability to communicate well at all levels and to build effective relationships
● Excellent presentation skills
● High level of accuracy and attention to detail
● Student-centred, advisor-oriented and have the ability to perform multiple tasks effectively and efficiently
● Strong customer service orientation
● Have exceptional initiative and judgement
● Ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, students, alumni, and external
constituents
● Self-motivated with an ability to thrive under pressure

Experience and Education:
• Relevant qualification at degree level or higher
• 2+ years of experience in higher education admissions (admissions, registrar or financial aid)
• Experience in a visa related role
• Professional experience and knowledge in the higher education sector, especially in the UK and US markets a plus
• Experience of working in an international environment
• Excellent command of English, as well as clear, accurate and effective communication, both verbally and in writing is essential

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Experience and Education: • Relevant qualification at degree level or higher • 2+ years of experience in higher education admissions (admissions, registrar or financial aid) • Experience in a visa related role • Professional experience and knowledge in the higher education sector, especially in the UK and US markets a plus • Experience of working in an international environment • Excellent command of English, as well as clear, accurate and effective communication, both verbally and in writing is essential