International Students & Immigration

1. International Students & Immigration

2. Contents • Immigration Advice at King’s • What should my visa say? • Police Registration • Your Sponsor’s Responsibilities • Changes to your Studies • Returning to the UK • Work During Study • Extending your Visa

3. Seeking Advice Student Advisers… • ONLY named College immigration advisers • Receive official and regular training • Advice is regulated by the government • We also run workshops and provide information via our web pages: www.kcl.ac.uk/advice

4. Look at your visa… • Check all the information on your visa is correct • Read all the corresponding information and check that you understand it • If you’re not sure about something, ask • Make copies of your visa and passport and keep them somewhere safe. • Keep letters from the Home Office/UKBA somewhere safe as you may need these in the future.

5. Entry Clearance • It is compulsory for all non-EEA/Swiss nationals to secure entry clearance before coming to the UK if the first course that they intend to study lasts 6 months or more. • Cannot extend your stay in the UK if you didn’t obtain Entry Clearance • If you came to the UK without Entry Clearance, or are here with permission to stay in a category other than Tier 4 or “Student”, speak to a Student Adviser. • Cannot study if here as a Visitor!

6. Tier 4 Entry Clearance • Students on degree courses: should receive leave for the length of their course, plus an additional four months, with permission to work • Students on courses longer than 6 months but less than one year should receive two additional months after the course • Should have right to work up to 20 hours per week (10 if below degree level) • Visa should include the King’s College London licence number

7. Entry Clearance Correction Scheme • A free service! • Used to correct any mistakes made on your entry clearance stamp (e.g. end date/working conditions/licence number) • Coordinated by the Student Advice and International Student Support team • Contact us if you think you have been given the incorrect length of leave or you have been incorrectly prohibited from working • Cannot be amended if due to incorrect course dates on the CAS

8. Police Registration • “Relevant foreign nationals” entering the UK for more than 6 months are required to register with the police • Your visa should state that you are required to register • Registration / registering of change of circumstances (e.g. new address/extension of student leave/change of institution/new passport) must be done within 7 days • £34.00 fee. Take evidence of student status, passport, 2 passport photos and a copy of your visa/passport • Register at the Overseas Visitors Records Office - Borough

9. Enrolling • Should have a visa for King’s College London, or • Have applied to extend your visa for study at King’s – can enrol you temporarily if you can show us proof of application, e.g. letter from Home Office or postal receipt; or • May have a visa issued before the introduction of Tier 4, or • Another type of visa (EXCEPT Visitor) – check with a Student Adviser if it allows study

10. Your Sponsor’s Responsibilities Obliged by law to report certain information about you to the Home Office, including… • If you do not enrol • If you take a break from or defer your studies • If you stop attending (miss “expected contacts”) • If you leave your course • If you switch to another immigration category • If you break other visa conditions (e.g. working) Your visa is likely to be curtailed (i.e. will end early) by the Home Office

11. Re-registration • To ensure you are engaging with your studies • To see how you are progressing on your course, and discuss any concerns you may have • To ensure you still have the correct immigration permission • Only takes a few minutes and happens twice a year • Will receive an email with details. You must attend, or respond to the email to arrange another time

12. Changes to Your Studies Must discuss the following with a Student Adviser before taking action: • Leaving your course • Switching to another course within King’s • Changing your mode of study (e.g. to part time) • Taking a break from your studies In these instances you’ll need to complete a “change of circumstances form. • Discuss matters with an adviser if you need to take resits

13. Changing course • If you change course within King’s and your new course is the same length you shouldn’t need to do anything • If new course is shorter you will need to inform the Home Office • If you want to move to another institution will need to obtain a new visa as your visa only allows study at King’s • If you will be interrupting your studies you will usually be expected to return home and your visa will be cancelled

14. If you lose your passport/visa • Report loss/theft to the police • Obtain a new passport • If you have a Biometrics Residence Permit, report the loss to the UKBA within 30 days or you will be fined • To apply for a replacement visa, complete form TOC (fee of £147) • To obtain a new BRP, complete form BRP(RC) (fee of £38) • No requirement to carry your passport/BRP with you in the UK – safer to leave it at home!

15. Returning to the UK You need to be able to demonstrate you still meet immigration requirements each time you enter the UK. You will need to show your visa and • Enrolment confirmation letter (from the Compass) • Evidence of sufficient funds • Intention to leave the UK if near the end of the course • Make sure you have these documents in your hand luggage so you can show them to the Immigration Officer • Check guidance on our website

16. Work During Study Requirements very strict – breaches treated seriously. If in doubt, ask! • Students at degree level can work for up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in the vacation • Summer not vacation for Masters students! • PhD students: vacations must be agreed with your supervisor • Cannot be self-employed, take up a permanent full-time role or work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer • Can work for up to 4 months after end of course, or until visa expires, whichever is sooner

17. Visa Extensions • Start preparing your application at least two months before your expiry date • If you apply after your leave expires you will be refused • Check rules to ensure you can extend – strict rules around time you can spend studying, which courses you are allowed to do and when you can apply • Ensure you meet all the requirements and documents are in specified formats. • Get your application checked by a Student Adviser

18. Contacting Us Immigration Advice: • By email – thecompass@kcl.ac.uk • By appointment – telephone or email the Compass to book a half-hour appointment (020 7848 7070) • Information on our website: www.kcl.ac.uk/advice • Registration issues: visa-reg@kcl.ac.uk

19. Useful Websites • www.ukcisa.org.uk– immigration guidance • www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk – forms and guidance for immigration applications • www.kcl.ac.uk/advice - guidance and our contact details • www.facebook.com/kingsinternationalstudentsupport - workshops and updates

20. Any Questions?