Immigration Matters

Extending permission to stay in the UK

You will have had your passport stamped at the port of entry, indicating the length of time that you are permitted to stay in the UK. It is very important that overstaying is a serious offence. If your leave is due to expire before the end of your degree course, you will need to follow a straightforward procedure of applying to the Home Office to extend it. This should be done approximately 4-5 weeks before your current leave is due to expire. (Please note that the home office will not accept applications any more that 5 weeks before the leave is due to expire.)

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You will need to visit the College to collect an application form, and for advice on what documents to prepare. The College will then mail your completed application to the Home Office on your behalf. Your passport and documents will usually be returned to you within 2-6 weeks.

To aid you in applying to the Home Office, please read the following guidelines. Once your application is completed and you have collected all the supporting documentation, please bring your application to one of the drop-in sessions, where it will be checked and then sent to the Home Office on your behalf. N.B. Your application will normally take 2-3 weeks to process and we will inform you by email of phone when your passport is ready for collection.

Guidelines:

When should I apply to extend my leave to remain?
You are unable to send you application to the Home Office any more than 5 weeks before your present leave/visa is due to expire. Applications made before that time will be rejected. You can apply up until the last date of your leave, but your application must arrive at the Home Office before the last day. If it arrives after this date you will be considered an over-stayer and will have no right to appeal if you application is rejected. NB it is advisable to start completing your form and collecting the required documents around 2 months before your leave is due to expire.

What documents do I need to provide?
If you want to extend as a student you will need to complete an FLR(S) form, this can be downloaded from the Home Office Website. You will also need to complete this form if you wish to extend to write up your thesis or to re-sit an examination.

If you need to extend your leave to remain to attend your Graduation Ceremony or to travel after you studies you will need to extend as a visitor and it is therefore necessary to complete an FLR(O) which can be downloaded from here.

Documents you will need to provide:
A 'To whom it may concern' letter stating that your are a student of the college, your completion date, including the date of your graduation ceremony, if you plan to stay for this. This can be obtained by completing a form in the Registrar Office.

Proof of attendance and progress. If have just commenced your studies here at the College you will need to provide results from the previous course that you studied and/or a letter of attendance stating where you were studying. Alternatively you can get the institution to complete session 3 and stamp it with their official stamp. If you have already been studying at the College you will need to obtain a letter from your department stating that your progress is satisfactory.

Proof that you have enough finances to cover you tuition fees and living expenses. This can be in the form of your last 3 months of bank statements (if you are self funding), your parent's last 3 months of bank statements or a letter from their employer stating what they earn and that the job is of a permanent nature, plus a letter from them stating how much they are able to give you each month/year (if you are supported by your parents) or a if you are sponsored, a letter from your sponsor. N.B. All documents need to be the originals.

Your Police Registration Certificate, if you are required to register with the police. Please make sure it has your current address on it.

Travelling abroad from the UK
This guidance applies to non-EEA nationals only:

Do I need a visa for the country I am travelling to?
Visas are issued by the embassy of the country that you wish to visit. You will need to contact the embassy to see whether you require one or not. You can do this by entering the website of the embassy concerned or by visiting.

If you do require a visa you should start making visa enquiries at the relevant embassy as early as possible, as the application process can be lengthy. The average processing time is three weeks but this can often be longer during busy vacation periods, for example, Christmas, Easter and the summer. It is also important to note that most embassies require you to have 3-6 months visa/leave to remain in the UK still remaining in your passport at the end of your trip.

To apply for a visa you will need an application form. Most embassies now have application forms that can be downloaded from their website. It is important to note that application procedures differ between embassies. Some embassies allow you to post applications to them whilst others require you to visit the embassy in London in person. If the embassy does require you to go in person, you will need to arrive around 2 hours before the embassy opening time as many embassies have a limit on the maximum number of applications which they will accept in one day. You will usually be required to pay a fee for the visa. The cost of the visa and the processing time also varies between embassies.

What Documents will I need to provide?
Documents you need to provide can also differ from between embassies and you will find a list of documents required on your application form for the relevant embassy. Generally you will need:

  • Photographs.
  • Completed application form.
  • Passport.
  • Proof of purpose of the visit. Invitation letter from friends, conference organisers plus bookings and reservations for accommodation or tours..
  • Evidence of sufficient finances to complete your trip. You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This can be in the form of recent bank statements etc. Cash is not accepted as proof.
  • Visa fee.
  • 'To Whom it may Concern letter, issued by the Registrar Office.
  • Medical Insurance.


Re-entering the UK
Do you need to seek advice about re-entering the UK after your trip? There is no need to seek advice if you meet the following 3 requirements:

  • The last time you were given permission to stay in the UK it was for a period of more than six months.
  • You will re-enter the UK before the validity of that entry clearance runs ou.
  • Your circumstances have not changed since you got that stamp or entered the UK with the entry clearance.


If you do not meet the 3 requirements, please seek advice from the International Student Adviser before travelling outside the UK.

ALL students should carry the following documentation in their hand luggage when returning to the UK:

  • Your passport or travel document.
  • An up to date letter of registration, confirming that you are still a full-time student enrolled on a course at a recognised institution.
  • Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants (eg.: your last three months of bank statements, or a letter from your sponsor confirming that they are continuing to sponsor you).


If asked, you will also have to satisfy the immigration officer that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies.