International Student Advice

Here to help and support you with visa and immigration advice

• On 5th October 2020 UKVI has replaced Tier 4 visa route with Student visa route

• If your visa is granted after 5th October 2020, it will be called “Student visa”

• Both visas will come with the same rights and responsibilities

• Nothing changes if you already have a visa

• General information: click here

• Student Guidance: click here

Update: Tier 4 = Student visa

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As a student on a Tier 4 or Student visa, you have the right to:

• Stay in the UK until the expiry date of your visa

• Leave and re-enter the UK

• Study and complete the course your visa was assigned for

• Undertake supplementary study

• Work within the working limit stated on your BRP

• Access free NHS treatment

• Extend your visa from the UK, provided you meet the criteria

• Switch to a different visa from the UK, provided you meet the criteria

Your Visa – Your Rights

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As a student on a Tier 4/ Student visa, your responsibilities include:

• Familiarising yourself with Student Guidance

• Registering with the Police (if required)

• Attending all of your scheduled classes

• Progressing within your course and completing your course

• Staying in touch with the University

• Reporting any changes of your circumstances to UKVI and the University

Student Guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/points-based-system-student-route

Your Visa – Your Responsibilities

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• Do not go to the police office if you are self-isolating – wait until your quarantine is over, you will not be penalised

• Some students need to register with the Police within 7 days of arriving in the UK

• Check your entry clearance visa in your passport or your decision letter to know if this applies to you

• If you are required to register, make sure to book an appointment online at the website of your local police station within 7 days of arrival

• Let us know if you have any questions or problems

Police Registration

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Useful links:

• https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police/who-needs-to-register

• Birmingham: https://west-midlands.police.uk/services/overseas-visitor-registration• Bristol: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/foreign-national-registration/• London: https://www.met.police.uk/notices/met/book-an-online-ovro-appointment/• Leeds: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/our-services/registering-overseas-visitor/register-foreign-national/how-register• Manchester: https://www.gmp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ov/registering-overseas-visitor/af2/how-to-register/

• Your attendance/ engagement will be monitored

• If your attendance is poor, the University is required to inform UKVI

• Make sure your attendance does not drop below 80%

• Certain absences can be authorised if you provide valid evidence

• If you need to be absent from your course for an extended period of time, enquire about Interruption of Studies

• Progress within your course: 3 attempts for exams and modules

• Communicate your circumstances to the University – we are here to help

• Change of circumstances: new contact details/ immigration documents/ new name, etc. – inform the University and UKVI: https://www.gov.uk/change-circumstances-visa-brp

Attendance, Progression and Communication

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• Receiving your BRP and what to do if you have not received it yet

Applied outside the UK: collect at the post office; if not there, report online:https://www.biometric-residence-permit.service.gov.uk/collection/where

Applied from the UK: delivered by courier, if not: report online https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/not-arrived

• Check your BRP for any errors:

Working allowance: 20h/week during term time

Expiry date: end date of your course + 2 or 4 months of wrap-up period

Sponsor licence number: DF1GYYNR3

Your name, date of birth

• Report any errors online within 10 days and inform ushttps://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/report-problem

• Keep your BRP safe – do not carry it with you if you don’t need it on the day

Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

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• You will need to report this online to UKVI and to the Police (if applicable)

• You will need to apply for a replacement in the UK, if your BRP had 3 or more months of validity left

• If you are abroad, you will need to first apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which is an entry clearance visa (£154), so that you can enter the UK first, and then apply to replace your BRP card

• Failure to apply for a replacement BRP can result in a fine or adverse changes to your visa

• Do not travel abroad before receiving your new BRP

• Get in touch with us if you need help in this process

https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/lost-stolen-damaged

Lost / Stolen / Damaged Documents

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• The main purpose of the Tier 4 / Student visa route is for you to come to the UK to study. Where you are permitted to work, the intention is that this should be to supplement your income whilst studying

• Your working allowance is written on your BRP and it should normally be 20h/week during term time

• There are certain jobs that you cannot undertake: e.g. fill in a full-time permanent vacancy or be self-employed

• You can work full time during your official holiday weeks, as per your academic calendar, and once you have successfully finished your course

• Holiday letter: evidence for the employer of dates when you are allowed to work over 20h/week (request via Student Query Form)

• National Insurance Number: apply by calling 0800 141 2075

Working on a Tier 4/ Student visa

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• COVID-19: follow the official travel advice https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

• Plan your travels for your official holiday weeks

• Carry a Holiday Letter with you to prove on arrival that you are not travelling in term time

• We advise against travel if you have less than 3 months validity on your visa and you intend to return to the UK

• Request a Schengen Letter from us if you wish to apply for a Schengen Visa (we only issue these letters for your official holiday dates)

Travelling Abroad

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• NHS is free of charge for Tier 4 / Student route students, as you paid Immigration Health Surcharge during your application

• Make sure to register with a doctor after arrival – do not wait until you get illhttps://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp

• In case of an emergency, go to the local hospital to A&E (accident and emergency) department

• Call 999 in case of a life-threatening emergency

• Call 111 to speak to a medical advisor about an urgent medical problem, which is not a life-threatening emergency

• Go to a walk-in clinic to be seen by a doctor on the day

• Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications available without prescription

Medical Information

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To discuss anything mentioned in this presentation or any other Visas/Immigration related queries, contact us:

• via Student Query Form on the VLE or HUB

• InternationalAdvice@bpp.com

• Study Visas: StudyVisas@bpp.com

Get in touch

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