Advice for Overseas Students studying/living in London.

Advice for Overseas Students studying/living in London. A/D.I. Steve MEEKE (SCD26) Alan HADFIELD Mahesh ARYA Steve HOLT Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO)

Welcome to the United Kingdom The Overseas Visitors’ Record Office is located at Brandon House, Ground Floor, 180, Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LH. Our telephone number is 020 7230 1208. This is a 24 hour recorded information line but messages are not accepted.

Our opening hours are 09.00 - 16.00 Monday to Friday (except Public and Bank Holidays). However, if the office becomes too busy, we may have to close earlier than 16.00. You are therefore advised to attend in the morning, especially in September and October when we can experience very long queues.

Please note that there is a registration fee, currently £34.00, which may be paid by cash, sterling travellers’ cheque or most debit and credit cards. We do not accept Euros. Brandon House is opposite Borough tube station on the Northern Line and is served by bus routes 21, 35, 40, 133, 343. There are no parking facilities available.

If you are planning to live in the London area, registration can only take place at this office and you should bring the following documents with you: • Passport or travel document, any Home Office letters/forms and a Work permit if appropriate

When you register with the police you will be issued a Police Registration Certificate (PRC). Any changes in your circumstance will need to be reported to this office and your PRC updated accordingly. However, any change of residential, business or school address can be reported to your local police station.

Registration with Police – Regulations. • This Police Registration Certificate (PRC) may be used as an identity document in the United Kingdom (UK). You are advised not to carry it with you but keep it in a safe place together with your passport/travel document. If you are asked to produce the PRC, you will be given 48 hours in which to do so at a police station.

Any change of residential address must be reported to the nearest police station or this office not later than 7 days of the change.

Any change of family (for Au Pairs), work address or occupation must be reported to any police station or this office within 8 days of the change. • Any change of school, college or university should also be reported to police.

Any other changes, including change of name, nationality, passport/travel document or marital status must be reported to this office within 8 days of the change. You must bring the appropriate documentation for examination, for example marriage certificate or Home Office letter.

If you have another requirement to register with the police stamped in your passport/travel document at any time, you must attend this office within 7 days bringing the relevant documentation.

If you leave the UK for more than 12 months and are required to register with the police again upon your return, you will need to obtain a new PRC from this office and pay the current registration fee. • If you leave the UK for more than 12 m

If you wish to remain in the UK after the visa in your passport/travel document has expired, an application should be made to the Home Office (the address is on the back of the PRC), supported by the appropriate documentation.

If your PRC is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the nearest police station. If it is not found within the next 14 days, a replacement must be obtained from this office. You will be required to pay the current registration fee for the replacement certificate.

Countries remaining in the Registration Scheme from 11 May 1998. Afghanistan Algeria Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Belarus Bolivia Brazil China Columbia Cuba Egypt Georgia Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Kazakhstan Kirgizstan Kirgizstan Lebanon Libya Moldova Morocco North Korea Oman Palestine Peru Qatar

Russia Saudi Arabia Sudan Syria Tajikistan Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan U.A.E. Ukraine Uzbekistan Yemen

About London London is one of the most interesting and exciting capital cities in the world attracting millions of visitors each year. It’s also one of the safest. As in any large, busy city, however, crime can sometimes be a problem so you do need to take care about personal safety and looking after your belongings. Below is advice on what you can do to make your visit to London safer and more enjoyable.

Out and about Keep your bag or camera where you can see them by wearing them in front of you, not over your shoulder. This is especially important if you are in a crowded area such as on a bus or an underground train. When in restaurants, bars, theatres or cinemas never leave your bag on the floor or over the back of your chair. Keep it where you can see it.

Only buy theatre or concert tickets from reliable sources and not from ‘touts’ in the street.If you’re out and about at night on foot try to keep to busy, well-lit areas.When travelling by bus or train try to avoid using stations in isolated places. When possible sit near the driver on buses, and on trains try to make sure you sit in a compartment where there are other people.

Only use taxis that have been licensed by the police. These are easily recognised by a licence on display and the driver wearing a badge.Take extra care when crossing the road. Always remember to look both ways as traffic may be coming from a different direction than you are expecting.

Weapons and Drugs Be aware that it is a criminal offence to carry weapons such as knives and guns in the UK. Unlike some other European countries it is also illegal to carry CS spray. Remember that it is against the law to be in possession of ‘classified’ drugs this includes cannabis, marijuana and hashish.

Finally • Remember the police are there to help you. If anything does go wrong and your possessions are lost or stolen then contact the police at the earliest opportunity. If your enquiry is not urgent please call 0300 123 1212. However, in an emergency requiring POLICE, FIRE OR AMBULANCE SERVICE DIAL 999.

Advice for Overseas Students studying/living in London.