Page 9 - StudyTravel Magazine October 2025 Issue

NEWS NORTH AMERICA

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New US university partnership for Policy changes for USA
Kings Education international education
TERTIARY LANGUAGE SECONDARY TERTIARY ASSOCIATED
ings Premium Universities, the he USA Department of State has confirmed
US higher education division of that student visa applicants are no longer
KKings Education, has announced Teligible for visa interview waivers.
a new partnership with Tennessee Previously, F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants were
Tech University. eligible for visa interview waivers if they held a
The university marks “a significant and high-profile addition” to visa in the same category that expired less than
the portfolio of partnerships in the USA, which includes public and 12 months prior to the new application.
private liberal arts universities, Kings Education said. However, since
Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, just one hour from Nashville, September 2nd, 2025,
Tennessee Tech University currently hosts around 10,500 students F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa
who benefit from “affordable tuition and living costs, as well as applicants are not eli-
a safe, welcoming community in a small city environment”, the gible for visa waivers
provider said. under any circumstances.
Entry requirements are TOEFL iBT 61 at undergraduate level and Visa waiver interviews were introduced by
iBT 71 for graduate programmes, but students below these levels the Biden administration during the Covid-19
can first join the Kings GO:Prepared programme on campus prior to pandemic as a means of reducing the visa
the commencement of degree classes. https://bit.ly/422csoG backlog at consulates, a move welcomed by
industry stakeholders and leading to calls for
the practice to be made permanent. However,
BPP Education Group acquires eligibility for interview waivers for international
Sprott Shaw College students has been gradually decreased since.
https://bit.ly/4fUgeGD
TERTIARY
Meanwhile, the Department has introduced
PP Education Group, an international education group based a year-long pilot bond scheme for B-1/B-2 visa
in the UK, has acquired Sprott Shaw College in Canada, applicants from countries considered to have
Bwhich has 16 campuses throughout British Columbia offering high overstay rates. Consular officers will be
a range of career training programmes. The transaction does not able to apply bonds up to US$15,000. Initially,
include Sprott Shaw Language College or other schools in the Malawi and Zambia were listed as subject to the
GECC group. bond scheme, but the Department said that
Graham Gaddes, BPP CEO, said, “This acquisition marks an further countries could be listed, with 15 days’
important milestone into BPP’s internationalisation and meeting notice to be given.
the needs of both domestic and international students in BC.” Bonds will be returned if the visa holder
BPP has also acquired the Australian Institute of Business, leaves the USA on or before their authorised
which was established more than 40 years ago has more than date, if the holder does not travel, or is denied
2,000 students enrolled. https://bit.ly/47fXXBo entry to the USA. https://bit.ly/3VhRLBk

6 STUDYTRAVEL MAGAZINE