IMMIGRATION AND VISA ADVICE

1. IMMIGRATION AND VISA ADVICE Sue Castle-Miller and Jo Aldhouse Visa and Immigration Advisers Student Information and Advisory Service Examination Schools http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/ Email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

2. Immigration and Visa Advice • Visit our website • Email us with your visa questions • Come to our presentations • Use our ‘batch scheme’ for student applications • Meet to discuss completed application forms

3. Immigration and Visa Advice • Information and advice on: • student visas (here and home country) • visa conditions and responsibilities • problems with your visa • working during your studies • family student dependant visas • student visitor visas • non-student visas travelling/returning to the UK • finding an immigration lawyer • Today: a quick look at some visa points you need to check or know right from the start

4. If you still have a student visa issued for a course at a different university: • Visa applied for before 31 March 2009 (pre Tier 4): OK to enrol and start; apply for extension before expiry date • Tier 4 visa applied for before 5 October 2009: apply now for a new Tier 4 visa or for “Permission to Switch”. OK to enrol and start course before decision on either application • Tier 4 visa applied for on or after 5 October 2009: apply now for a new Tier 4 visa. OK to enrol and start course before decision on application Collect handout: Changing Education Provider from our stand; email us if you need help

5. Check your visa expiry date • Check you have been given the correct amount of time: • course length over six months but less than 12 months: visa expiry date should be course end date (as stated on CAS) + 2 months • course length 12 months or longer visa expiry date should be course end date (as stated on CAS) + 4 months could be shorter if you have certain types of financial sponsorship • If you haven’t been given enough time, email us

6. UED4UGNF1 This is the University’s Tier 4 Sponsor Number If you applied for your visa before you travelled, with a CAS from the University, this number should be on your visa If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (because you applied for your Tier 4 visa in the UK) your BRP should have either this number or your CAS number If it is incorrect or missing, please email us

7. Registration with the Police • Some nationals need to register with the police (will be written on your visa in your passport or BRP card) • Register within seven days at police station in St Aldates (near main post office in Oxford, near Christ Church); take with you: - the form (available from our stand) - one passport photo - enrolment certificate (print out from Student Self Service) - £34 fee(exact amount in cash) • Report to police if you extend your visa, change address, name etc. to get certificate updated (free of charge) • Do not ignore this legal requirement!

8. Why is my college asking for my passport/Biometric Residence Permit/visa to scan? The University, as a Tier 4 Licensed Sponsor, has a duty to keep a record of the passport and visa/Biometric Residence Permit of all Tier 4 students. For most students, colleges carry out this duty. Please take your passport containing your visa (and BRP if applicable) to college when you enrol, and again if you renew your passport or get a new visa Please keep your details up to date on Student Self Service

9. The University’s reporting duties If you have a Tier 4 student visa, the University must tell UKBA if you: • Do not enrol • Suspend, withdraw from or defer your studies • Leave your course early • Are no longer sponsored by the University • Breach your immigration conditions • Are absent for a long time and the University does not know why Communicate with your Department and College!

10. Take care to keep to the conditions of your visa • Study at the institution which gave you the CAS for your visa • Know your visa expiry date and do not let yourself become an ‘overstayer’. You will not get a reminder. Nobody is entitled to remain beyond their visa expiry date • Keep to work restrictions • Register with the police if required Consequences of breach of conditions: • criminal offence, possible removal, Entry Clearance bar • Difficulties getting new visa

11. Further information on Tier 4 duties and responsibilities In your Welcome Pack, you will find a sheet called STUDENT VISAS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Please do read it!

12. Extending your Student Visa in the UK Full information about process, including links to current application form and notes about the supporting documents visit: www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/visaduring/extendingyourvisa/ By post Student “Batch” scheme: • operated by the UK Border Agency • we post your application for you • quicker and safer than posting yourself • must make an appointment with us via email

13. Extending your Student Visa in the UK In person (but more expensive!) At a UKBA Public Enquiry Office • make an appointment through UKBA • passport returned same day • BRP card usually issued within in several days YOU MUST APPLY IN GOOD TIME AND BEFORE VISA EXPIRES – IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHEN YOUR VISA EXPIRES

14. Working During Studies • 20 hours a week while you are studying • Full time when you are on holiday Note DPhil students must only work full time during designated breaks as authorised by supervisor • All students can work for 4 months upon completion of ALL studies with a valid student visa • You cannot work full time during any period when you should be studying (including research and writing up)

15. Working During Studies Permission to work also includes work placements (with conditions) Self-employment, engaging in business or filling a permanent full time vacancy is not allowed National Insurance Number – see pamphlet “Oxford Essentials” page 10 under “Work” All UK employment legislation applies and you must pay UK tax : threshold currently £7,475 pa (2011/12)

16. Family members • Spouse, unmarried partner, civil partner, children under • Allowed to join you during your studies as your ‘dependants’ as long you are a graduate student on a course lasting longer than 12 months • No work restriction if student visa is valid for longer than 12 months • No provision for children over 18(although can remain at 18 and extend if already in UK as a dependant)

17. Visas to stay in the UK to work • Information about existing employment visas and new schemes available on website • We can advise on current schemes and look at applications • Workshops - advertised on website • Tier 2 visas obtained by employer –we can give general information

18. Important to check Visa is for study at Oxford (check Tier 4 sponsor licence number) Date your visa expires Length of visa Work conditions Whether you need to register with the Police

19. Important To do list Take a copy/scan your visa and passport identity page Register with the police (if required to do so) Be aware of your responsibilities Keep your College/Department informed Read all the information currently available and keep up to date by visiting websites regularly Make a note 2 months before visa expires and start extension process if necessary Attend presentations and workshops

20. Immigration and Visa AdviceFor further information contact:Student Information and Advisory ServiceEmail: student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/