VISA & REGISTRATION GUIDE for full-time international students

Last updated: May 2021

DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort is made by Birkbeck, University of London to ensure the accuracy of the information and advice given, the requirements relating to visas are complex and change frequently.

We cannot therefore accept responsibility for any inaccuracy or error in the information or advice given or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

You must verify the information given and check the requirements which apply to you on the Home Office website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

If you have any queries relating to the information contained in this document, please contact International Student Administration Registry Services Birkbeck, University of LondonMalet Street, BloomsburyLondon WC1E 7HX

isa@bbk.ac.uk +44 (0)20 3926 3100

www.bbk.ac.uk/international

CONTENTS VISA & REGISTRATION GUIDE

1. STUDENT VISA 1.1 Requirements

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 7

Points required for Student visa 9

Maximum period of study 10

Academic progression 11

1.2 Supporting documents English language proficiency 12

Academic Technology Approval Scheme 13

Health screening 15

Financial evidence 16

Academic qualifications 22

Official English translation 22

Letter of parental consent (under-18) 23

Passport 23

Additional documents 24

Low risk nationals 24

1.3 During visa application process Immigration Health Surcharge 26

Visa interviews 26

1.4 Dependants 1.5 When should I apply?

Applying from outside the UK 29

Applying from inside the UK 29

1.6 Where and how should I apply? Applying from outside the UK 31

Applying from inside the UK 31

1.7 Outcome of visa application Successful 32

Incorrect decision or Unsuccessful 33

1.8 Visa conditions Work conditions 35

Volunteering 36

Study 37

ATAS 38

Police registration 38

‘No recourse to public funds’ 39

Biometric Residence Permit 40

Report changes of circumstances 41

APPENDICES Appendix 1.1 Comparison of Student visa application from UK vs Overseas 44

Appendix 1.2 CAS to Registration flowchart 46

Appendix 1.3 Student Route Responsiblities 47

Appendix 1.4 Description of CAS Statement 49

2. STUDENTS WITH NON-STUDENT VISA

3. ENROLMENT What is enrolment? 55

What happens after the enrolment? 55

Orientation 56

4. REGISTRATION First registration for new students 57

Annual Student Visa Registration for continuing students 59

Police Registration 59

60

61

62

63

64

65

5. ATTENDANCE Blended learning for 2020/21

Responsibilities of Student visa holder and Student route sponsor Academic engagement Off-campus Study

Work Placement

61

63

Change of programme

Unsatisfactory engagement / Interruption / Withdrawal 63

Repeat studies

Successfully completed early 64

Completed prematurely

Completed in time 65

If more time is required to complete 65

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1. STUDENT VISA

1.1 Requirements Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a ‘virtual document’ (similar to a database record) which is assigned by Birkbeck in support of your Student visa application.

The CAS will contain your personal information, academic programme details and a unique CAS number. This number is a mandatory requirement when completing a Student visa application form and is used to determine whether or not you meet the requirements of the Student route. It also determines your work rights and ability to bring dependants to the UK with you.

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You will be emailed a CAS statement and Description of CAS statement detailing all the information above.

A printout of CAS statement doesn’t need to be included in your visa application.

When will I receive my CAS? It is depending on combination of the following and personal circumstances:

• the location from where you’re intending to make your visa application, i.e. from the UK or your home country;

• accepted an unconditional offer to study a full-time programme of study;

• fulfilled all Academic, Non-academic and General Conditions of Entry stated in the offer;

• deemed to satisfy the Student requirements; and

• paid a deposit.

If you satisfied all conditions and requirements and plan to apply from your home country, a draft CAS will be issued up to 6 months before the start date of your course.

You will need to check and confirm whether the details listed in a draft version of your CAS are correct.

Once you have verified this and provided satisfactory

supporting documents when requested to International Student Administration (ISA), your CAS statement will normally be issued within 5 working days.

If you intend to make your visa application from the UK, the CAS process will start 3 - 4 months before the course start date. You will be sent a draft version of your CAS and referred to Birkbeck’s Free Student Visa Application Checking Service process. Your CAS will be released via Birkbeck’s Student Immigration Advisor through this process.

Points required for Student visa You must score a total of 70 points in order to be able to apply for a Student visa.

Each characteristic is explained further in “1.2 Supporting documents” on page <PB>.

Characteristics Requirement Points

Unconditional offer to join an eligible course

Valid CAS 50

Speaks English at required level

English language requirement 10

Have adequate level of funds Financial requirement 10

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Maximum period of study The Home Office sets a maximum time limit on how long you may spend studying in the UK. This limit includes all previous visa periods in the UK whilst on a Student and Tier 4 (General) visa, and is dependent upon the level of study you undertake.

Level of study Maximum

Below degree level 2 years

Degree level study (RQF Level 6), e.g. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent 5 years

Above degree level study (RQF Level 7 or above), e.g. Masters or PhD

No limit

Academic progression Students who wish to extend their Student visa must show their proposed study represents academic progression from any previous study undertaken in the UK with a Tier 4 (General) or Student visa.

The relevant Home Office guidance states that any new course will normally be at a higher level than those previously studied in the UK.

You will also have successfully completed the previous course by achieving the qualification for which you were granted Tier 4 or Student visa.

If you are applying for an extension of your Student visa from the UK, you must provide official evidence of successful completion of your previous qualification that studied under Tier 4 or Student visa. This includes Pre-sessional programmes.

If the final result is not available before the start of your new course, you can submit a letter from your current Student sponsor confirming that you are ‘highly likely to complete your course successfully’.

If you subsquently fail to complete the previous course successfully, Birkbeck is required to report it to the Home Office and withdraw the sponsorship.

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1.2 Supporting documents English language proficiency You must satisfy:

• Birkbeck’s general English language requirement, and

• Student visa English language requirement.

Academic departments may accept a wider range of English language qualifications than specified by the Home Office, for the College’s general English language requirement purpose. In this case, you may still be required to satisfy the minimum Student visa English requirement.

Alternatively, if you have demonstrate the required English language level through your previous successful immigration application, you don’t have to demonstrate it again.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme Students who are embarking on or continuing their study for specific degrees in the physical sciences, computing or mathematics, must note the requirements of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).

This requirement does not apply to a national of EU, EEA, Swiss and the following countries:

• Australia

• Canada

• Japan

• New Zealand

• Singapore

• South Korea

• United States of America

An ATAS clearance certificate must be obtained before your CAS can be issued.

You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 9 months before the starting date of your course, and valid for 6 months from date of issue.

The process normally takes a minimum of 20 working days. However, processing times will increase between April and October and can take 30 or more working days

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to complete.

Therefore, you are advised to submit your ATAS clearance check application as early as possible.

You need the following information from the College before submitting your application:

• your conditional offer letter

• CAH3 code of your programme of study (stated in the official offer)

• a brief summary of your research proposal agreed with your potential supervisor (examples of good and bad research proposals for ATAS)

If you change your course, or area of research, you must obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate.

Health screening Residents of certain countries applying for a visa to come to the UK for longer than 6 months must obtain a certificate confirming that they are free from infectious Tuberculosis (TB) before applying for a visa.

You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office.

Please note that you won’t need a TB test if

• you are applying from the UK, or

• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months.

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Financial evidence

In order to make a successful application, you must provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover:

• your tuition fee balance for the first year of study, and

• maintenance (living costs).

If you meet the following conditions, you will automatically meet the financial requirement:

• you’re applying for a Student visa from the UK, and

• you have been in the UK for at least 12 months with valid visa on the date of your application.

Acceptable types of funds For funds to be acceptable, unless funds will be available as a student loan, all of the following must be met:

• held in a financial institution that uses electronic record keeping, which is regulated by the appropriate regulatory body for the country it is operating in and where UKVI is able to make verification checks

• held in an account belong to the applicant, their partner (who is applying for permission at the same time or has been granted permission), a parent or legal guardian (except for dependant partners)

• held in a person bank or building society account (including current, deposit, savings, pensions from which the funds can be withdrawn, or an investment account) provided the funds can be accessed immediately

Other accounts (including pension funds) where the funds cannot be accessed immediately or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, overdraft and credit cards are not acceptable.

Furthermore, a business account is not acceptable as your financial evidence, even if the business is owned by you or your parents/legal guardians.

The maintenance requirement for Birkbeck is £1,334 per month because we are located in inner-London for the

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purpose of Student visa application. You must show that you have money for your living costs for each month of your course, up to 9 months.

Therefore, the maximum amount is set at £12,006 (£1,334 x 9 months), which will apply to the most of our students.

If you paid a deposit, it will be stated in your CAS as part of your tuition fee payment and will be deducted from the total amount you need to show.

For example, if you will be studying a 12-month Master’s degree course at Birkbeck and have paid a deposit of £2,000, you will need to show a minimum of £23,835 (Tuition fee – Tuition fee paid + Maintenance) in your bank account:

Total tuition fee £14,450

Total maintenance requirement £12,006

Deposit paid £200

Tuition fee paid £2,000

Total amount required to show £24,256

Payment towards your accommodation provider will not be included in your CAS because it is not a payment made to Birkbeck.

Using your own funds You need to provide your bank statement(s) that indicate you have held the required amount of money in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days (finishing on the date of the closing balance day) ending no more than 31 days before your visa application date1.

Using parent(s) or legal guardian’s funds

You need to provide your parent(s) or legal guardian’s bank statement in the description above.

You must also provide all of the following:

• official evidence of relationship (e.g. birth certificate, certificate of adoption, court document2); and

• a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian confirming that they will financially sponsor your studies (an example letter)

Using your partner’s funds

If you and your partner are applying for visa at the same time or your partner has already been granted with a visa, funds held by your partner can be used.

1 Immigration rules define “date of application” as “the date of payment of the relevant fee”, i.e. visa application fee. 2 Affidavit is not an acceptable document to confirm the legal guardianship.

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You can use multiple bank accounts and one or more foreign currencies. This will be convereted into pound sterling (£) using the spot exchange rate which appears on www.oanda.com for the date of the application.

Official financial sponsorship

Official sponsors can be one of the following:

• the UK government

• your national government

• the British Council or any international organisation

• international company

• University

• Independent School

The list of acceptable official financial sponsors includes an ‘international company’. The Home Office has not defined this but it means a company with a trading presence (an office) in more than one country.

Your official financial sponsor must have the funds to support you financially whilst you are studying in the UK and have the capacity to move, or experience of moving, funds across international borders.

You must include the sponsorship letter. The letter must show:

• your name;

• the name and contact details of your official financial sponsor;

• the date of the letter;

• the length of your sponsorship; and

• the amount of money the sponsor is giving to you, or a statement that your official financial sponsor will cover all of your fees and living costs.

If you received financial sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency, which ended within the last 12 months, you will need a letter from your sponsor permitting you to stay in or re-enter the UK for an unlimited time.

Using US Federal loans If you are using US Federal loans, you may need to submit a ‘Notification of Student Loan’. There is no requirement to maintain the funds for 28 consecutive days because the loans will be paid directly to Birkbeck. The living costs portion of the loan will be released to you in instalments after you have started the course.

If your financial sponsorship or loans cover some of your course fee or living costs, you must show that you have the rest of money needed.

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Academic qualifications You will need to provide all documents listed on your CAS statement.

Usually these will be the final transcript or certificate/ diploma of your previous academic studies.

Official English translation If any of your documents are not in English, you must provide a fully certified translation from a professional translator or translation compmany that can be independantly verified by the Home Office. The translation must include all of the following information:

• confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document

• the date of translation

• the full name and signature of the translator or an official of the translation company

• the translator or translation company’s contact details

If your financial documents are not in English, it must be submitted with an official English translation.

Letter of parental consent (under-18) If you will be under the age of 18 when you submit your visa application, you require the consent of your parents/ legal guardian(s).

The letter should confirm:

• the relationship between you and your parents or legal guardian(s);

• that your parents or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your application;

• that your parents or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you living independently in the UK; and

• that your parents and legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your independent travel to the UK.

The letter must be signed by each parent or legal guardian, unless your parent or guardian have legal custody or sole responsibility for you.

Passport All the passports you are submitting with your visa application must have been signed where appropriate.

If you’re applying from outside the UK, it must have at least one blank page on both for endorsement of your Entry Clearance.

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Additional documents If you are applying from the UK, the following documents may also need to be submitted:

• Previous passport, if your visa is in your old passport

• Police Registration Certificate

• Biometric Residence Permit

Low risk nationals From 4 July 2011, the Home Office introduced a different documentary requirements for Student visa applications for certain nationalities. The specified nationalities are exempt from having to provide financial and educational evidence with their visa application.

You qualify for this arrangements if you are applying from your country of nationality; or from the UK if you are applying for an extension.

If you are a dual national, and only one of your nationalities is listed, you will be able to apply using the different documentary requirements that apply to these nationals, provided you are applying from the country of nationality specified, or for extension in the UK.

Check if you are eligible for this differential arrangements by going to the Home Office website.

Please note that you are still required to confirm that

you meet the Student visa requirements and that you hold the documentary evidence in the format required. Home Office can ask a low risk national to send them the documentary evidence.

If you’re a low rinks national and provide supporting documents, the Caseworker will be required to assess them as normal.

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1.3 During visa application process Immigration Health Surcharge Since 6 April 2015, most Student visa applicants need to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of their immigration application. You will then be able to use the National Health Service (NHS).

You will still need to pay for certain types of services.

The rate for a student and student dependant is £470 per person for each year of their visa. If the visa includes part of a year that is less than 6 months, the charge will be £235 for this period.

For example, if you will be applying a 12-month Master’s degree programme starting 1 October 2021, your Student visa should be valid until 30 January 2023 (course end date + additional 4 months). Therefore, you will be expected to pay £705 (£470 x 1.5 year) as part of your visa application.

Visa interviews You will attend a short interview through video conferencing when you attend the visa centre to submit your application and biometric information, if you are applying from outside the UK.

You may then be required to attend a further interview as part of your visa application, either in person or on the telephone, or when you arrive in the UK (for example at the airport) to satisfy you are a genuine student.

If you are required to attend an interview:

• you will need to demonstrate your English language ability without the assistance of an interpreter, and

• provide basic knowledge about your study in the UK (e.g. length of course, subjects of study).

If you do not attend this interview when requested without adequate reasons, your visa application may get refused.

Find more about the visa interview process and our guide to credibility interviews.

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1.4 Dependants You can bring your partner or children to the UK as your ‘dependants’, if you are either

• a government-sponsored and your course is over 6 months long, or

• studying for a postgraduate level full-time course of 9 months or longer

If your child is applying to come to the UK as your dependant, they must be less than 18 years old and normally both of the child’s parents must be coming to the UK.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has written a comprehensive information guide which you should read carefully before applying for a visa for your family.

1.5 When should I apply? Applying from outside the UK

• before you travel to the UK

• after obtaining your CAS;

• no more than 6 months before the start date of your programme of study stated on your CAS; and

• no more than 6 months after your CAS was issued.

Applying from inside the UK You can apply from inside the UK to extend or switch to a Student visa to start your new course.

In order to be eligible to apply within the UK, the start date of your new programme of study on your CAS must be no more than 28 days after the end of your current visa. You also need to meet a further condition described below:

For extending Student visa To extend your visa you must:

• be in the UK on a Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa

• satisfy the academic progression requirement.

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For switching to Student visa You must be in the UK under immigration permission that is not one of the following:

• a visit visa

• a short-term student visa

• a Parent of a Child Student visa

• a seasonal worker visa

• a domestic worker in a private household visa

• leave outside the immigration rules

It is very important to make a valid application before your current visa expires.

You must not start your new course until a Student visa is granted. However, the Home Office permits you to start your study while waiting for a decision if you applied for your Student visa:

• before starting the new course;

• before your existing visa expires; and

• provided evidence of the above to Birkbeck.

You do this at your own risk as it is possible that your application will be refused.

1.6 Where and how should I apply? Applying from outside the UK You need to make a Student visa application from your country of residence using the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply

‘Country of residence’ might not same as your country of origin and it refers to wherever you have permission to live, for example for work or study purposes.

Applying from inside the UK You will be referred to Birkbeck’s Free Student visa application checking service where a trained advisor will check your application. Your CAS will normally be released to you only after

• you have provided all requested supporting documents satisfying the Student visa requirements, and

• your drafted via application is checked as satisfactory.

The application link is as follows:

https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/extend-your-visa

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1.7 Outcome of visa application Successful Applied from outside the UK You will be initially issued with a 90-day Entry Clearance vignette sticker in your passport and a decision letter.

The vignette is proof only of your permission to enter the UK before its expiry. If you don’t travel within that 90 day period, you will have to apply for another vignette.

You will need to arrive and collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) by the expiry date of your vignette. Your decision letter will provide from which Post office branch you can collect your BRP.

Please take the following original documents:

• Passport containing the 90-day vignette

• Decision letter

If you are under 18 years old, you will need to nominate a responsible adult to accompany you to collect your BRP from a Post Office.

You should wait until you have obtained an Entry Clearance (i.e. vignette) before you book any non-refundable travel tickets.

Applied from inside the UK The Home Office will confirm their decision by email. It will confirm the grant of your Student visa and all conditions.

Your visa in the format of BRP will be sent to your contact address separately.

Carefully check your decision notification, vignette and BRP as soon as you receive them, and contact ISA immediately if there is any error. Only a limited time is allowed to submit an error correction request.

Incorrect decision or Unsuccessful If there is any reason to believe your application was incorrectly refused or error was made, e.g. incorrect visa length or work condition, you can ask for a visa Administrative Review.

There is a fee of £80 to apply for an administrative review. It will be refunded if your application is either successful or rejected as invalid.

This reqeust must be made within a specific deadline depending on the location, i.e. UK or overseas, where you submitted the application.

Applied from outside the UK You must apply for an administrative review within 28 days of getting the decision.

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A notice of immigration decision will be sent to you along with supporting documents that you submitted. Please email a scanned image of the notification to ISA for further assistance.

Applied from inside the UK You must apply for an administrative review within 14 days of getting the decision.

You must apply within 7 days if you’ve been detained.

A refusal notice will be sent to you. Please forward the refusal notice to ISA for further assistance.

1.8 Visa conditions Work conditions As a Student visa holder, you are permitted to work – paid or unpaid – a limited number of hours per week during term time, depending on your level of study:

• Bachelor’s degree level or above: maximum 20 hours per week3

• Below Bachelor’s degree level: maximum 10 hours per week

Details of your entitlement will be stated on your visa.

However, you must not:

• be self-employed or engage in business activity;

• be employed as a professional sportsperson or sports coach;

• be employed as an entertainer;

• take a permanent full-time job; or

• work as a doctor or dentist in training

3 A week is defined “a period of 7 days beginning with a Monday”, i.e. Monday to Sunday.

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Work placement element included as part of your course will not be affected by this restriction.

Term-time is any period when you are supposed to be doing academic work. For example, when you should be attending lectures, preparing examinations or viva, doing

Most postgraduate students – those taking a full-time Master’s

degree (including MRes), some

or submission of your dissertation.

and during summer after completing all your examinations and/

Vacation is normally around Christmas and Easter holidays

dissertation or thesis. coursework, and writing essays, a

Postgraduate Diplomas and an MPhil/ PhD – are required to study for the full calendar year and so are exempt from term dates.

Postgraduate students are therefore normally permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during summer, i.e. until the end of September.

Volunteering

Students can volunteer while they are studying. Voluntary work (unpaid employment) is distinct from volunteering.

A Student can do voluntary work if they are permitted to work, but this work will count towards the maiximum number of hours you’re permitted to work. You should always check with the organisation offering the volunteering opportunity whether it can be regarded as unpaid employment.

Factors to take into account when considering whether a particular activity constitutes voluntary work or volunteering are:

• voluntary workers will usually have contractual obligations to perform the work (for example to attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks) with the employer being contractually required to provide the work – the contract does not have to be written - the worker is usually remunerated in kind

• volunteers do not have a contract - they must not be a substitute for an employee, and they must not be doing unpaid work – for example, receiving payment in kind (although they are sometimes reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses)

• volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public sector organisation

Study

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Every time you enter, or re-enter, the UK you must intend to study at Birkbeck (your Student visa sponsor).

You must complete the enrolment and registration by the set dadeline.

Failure to complete the enrolment and registration, or if you decide to discountinue with your studies, Birkbeck must report this to the Home Office.

ATAS If you were required to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for your programme, you must apply for a new ATAS certificate within 28 days, if

• Your course content or research proposal changes; and/or

• Your course completion date (as stated on your CAS) is postponed by more than 3 calendar months.

Police registration International students of certain nationalities may be required to register with the police within seven days of arrival in the UK or getting a new visa.

See the Gov.uk website to check nationalities that ususally need to register.

If you live in London, you need to register at the Overseas Visitors Records Office.

If you live outside London, check the Gov.uk website where to register.

After you have registered, you need to update the police within seven days if you ever:

• change your address; and/or

• extend your Student permission; and/or

• change college or university; and/or

• renew your passport; and/or

• get married; and/or

• if any of the other details on your Police Registration Certificate change.

‘No recourse to public funds’ Student visa conditions include ‘No recourse to public funds’. This means that you will not be able to claim most benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state.

However, using the National Health Service (NHS), sending your child to a state school, and being exempt from the Council Tax do not count as accessing ‘public funds’.

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Biometric Residence Permit If your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is lost, stolen or damanged, you must apply for a replacement.

If you’re in the UK If your BRP is valid for 3 months or more, you must report it to the Home Office and apply for a replacement. It must be done within 3 months of losing it.

If your BRP is valid for 3 months or less, you must do one of the following:

• Report it to the Home Office if you intend to leave before your visa expires;

• Report it to the Home Office and apply for a replacement if you plan to leave and re-enter the UK within 3 months of its expiry date

• apply to extend your visa if applicable - if granted, you’ll automatically get a new BRP

You can be fined up to £1,000 and made to leave the UK if you do not apply for a replacement within 3 months.

If you’re outside the UK

You must report your lost or stolen BRP outside the UK.

You’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which lets you re-enter the UK once only.

You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of reporting it lost or stolen unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time.

Report changes of circumstances You must report any changes in your circumstances if you’re in the UK and have either:

• got a biometric residence permit (BRP)

• applied for a BRP but have not had a decision yet

For change of your address, you need to update it via My Birkbeck and complete one of the following to notify the Home Office:

• report a change of address online

• fill in the change of circumstances form and send it to the address on the form

You must apply for a new BRP straight away if any of these things change:

• name, for example if you’ve got married

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• nationality APPENDICES• facial appearance

• date of birth, for example if it was wrong

• gender

Apply for a replacement BRP online.

If you get a new BRP, you must it to ISA for the registration.

Appendix 1.1 Comparison of Student visa application from UK vs Overseas

Making Student visa application from the UK vs Overseas (guide only)

Applying from UK Outside the UK

Earliest date for application 3 months before course start date

6 months before course start date

No more than 28 days gap between visa expiry date and new course start date

Yes No

Passport Yes Yes

Previous passport Yes, if current visa is in previous passport No

Previous BRP Return to Home Office after decision

Return to Home Office when expire, if applicable

English language qualification document No No

Financial evidence

No, if you lived in the UK with a valid visa for a minimum of 12

months, or low risk nationa.

Otherwise, Yes

Yes, unless low risk national

Academic qualifications Yes, unless low risk national Yes, unless low risk national

ATAS Certificate Yes, if applicable Yes, if applicable

TB Certificate No Yes, if applicable

Police Registration Certificate Yes, if applicable No

Standard visa application fee, excluding Biometric fee £475 £348

Applying from UK Outside the UK

Immigration Health Surcharge £470 pa £470 pa

Standard Application processing time 8 weeks 3 weeks

90-day vignette No Yes

BRP card Deliver to UK contact address Collect from a designated UK

post office

Administrative Review submission Within 14 days of decision Within 28 days of decison

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Last updated on 16 December 2020

Appendix 1.2 CAS to Registration flowchart

CAS to Registration

Errors & Supporting documents Any errors on the draft CAS orquestions should be directed to ISAstraightway. Also, applicants shouldprovide relevant supportingdocuments, such as �nancial evidence, if requested.

1

2

Gather Information

3

4

Further Information ISA may requestapplicants to providefurther information before processing, such as a new passport copy or �nancialevidence.

5

Referral Referral to the Student Visa Application CheckingService. All applicantsmaking making theirStudent visa applicationfrom the UK will be referred to this procedure.Birkbeck Advisor will contact applicant forfurther process.

6

7 8

9

Registration atBirkbeck Student takes their passport and Studentvisa decision letter to the designated Post O�ce to collect BRP. Attend the Registrationsession with ISA.

Apply for StudentVisa & completeonline enrolment

Applicant satis�es all conditions and pays deposit

Satisfy all conditions & deposit payment

Ensure to book travel after receiving a successfuloutcome of visa application. Student musttravel with a valid Student visa to enter the UK to study.

CAS issue & Enrolment invitation CAS Statement is emailed to applicant andenrolment invitation email will follow. Applicant making theirStudent visa applicationfrom the UK will receive their CAS through theStudent Visa ApplicationChecking Service process.

ISA may request applicantto provide furtherinformation

Draft CAS ISA drafts a CAS statement for eligibleapplicants and emails itto them.

Birkbeck International Student Guidance 46

Appendix 1.3 Student Route Responsiblities

Responsibilities and obligations of Student visa holder and Student route sponsor

Home Office Regulations

Birkbeck Student

Inform the Home Must inform the HO within 10 Enrol and register with Birkbeck by the latest Office (HO) of any working days after the end of the arrival date stated on your CAS statement. students who do not enrol at the expected time for

prescribed enrolment period of any students who fail to enrol on their course.

If you are unable to join the course, provide a reason why you are unable to join the course to International Student Administration (ISA) at isa@

their studies. bbk.ac.uk

Inform the HO of Must inform HO within 10 working Comply with all conditions stated on your visa any information days of the relevant information including: which suggests that a sponsored student is in breach

being known to Birkbeck. • register with the police within a specified

period stated on your visa if applicable

of the condition of • maintain work conditions, which is normally their visa. 20 hours per week during term-time for

degree students

• do not overstay your visa.

• do not claim ‘public funds’.

Inform the HO Must inform HO within 10 working Inform ISA of any possible error you have if Student visa days of the relevant information identified for further assistance. You may then was granted with being known to Birkbeck. have to report and request amendments of any incorrect length or error to the HO. conditions of stay.

Keep a copy of Must keep a copy (electronic or Present all required original documents to ISA. immigration documents.

paper) of students identity and immigration documents, includingthe following:

• personal details page(s) in passport;

• student visa in passport;

• all previous UK visas in current passport; and

• both sides of Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

New students are required to complete their Student visa registration and enrolment by the latest arrival date stated on CAS statement.

Continuing students or students who switched their immigration status to Student visa after starting their course must present the original documentation to ISA by arrangement.

When lost passport or BRP, notify the HO and ISA immediately, and apply for a replacement. Your replacement passport or BRP must be presented to ISA as soon as you receive them.

Keep a copy of Must keep a copy of the ATAS Provide a copy of your approved ATAS clearance the Academic clearance certificate. certificate to ISA. Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate.

Keep each student’s Maintain students’ historic and Keep Birkbeck updated with your contact details contact details and current contact details at least including UK residential address, phone numbers update them as for the period of Student visa and email address, using MyBirkbeck necessary. sponsorship.

International Student Administration 1 Student route responsibilities Last Updated: 14 December 2020

Birkbeck International Student Guidance 47

Responsibilities and obligations of Student visa holder and Student route sponsor

Home Office Regulations

Birkbeck Student

Inform the HO Must inform the HO of any Keep your academic and departmental if there are any significant changes to a student’s administrative staff updated with any changes in significant changes circumstance (e.g. change in your course. Any changes must be approved by in a student’s circumstances.

course within Birkbeck, change in course duration) within 10 working days of the change.

the relevant department.

Inform your academic and departmental administrative staff if your course details are incorrect on MyBirkbeck.

Inform the HO, and update Police Registration Certificate if applicable, for changes to your circumstances such as change of name or nationality, or renewed passport.

Inform the HO if a Must inform the HO within 10 Inform ISA and your academic and departmental student withdraws working days of the change. administrative staff if you decide to withdraw or or suspends their suspend your studies. You must first discuss any studies. such changes with your personal/course tutor.

Inform the HO Must inform the HO within 10 If your immigration category has changed, e.g. when a student’s working days of the relevant Dependant visa or Skilled route, you must provide immigration information being known to proof of this change to ISA. This can be emailed to category changes. Birkbeck. isa@bbk.ac.uk

Inform the HO if Withdraw students after a student Engage with all teaching events and register a student stops stops engaging academically for attendance by touching in your Birkbeck ID card engaging for more 30 days and must inform the HO at the beginning of your class when applicable. than 30 days within 10 working days of the

change. While the teaching is delivered online, click ‘Join live session’ to register your attendance.

Inform the HO if a Must inform the HO within 10 Maintain attendance on your course and submit student is absent working days after a significant your work on time. from their studies without reasonably

period of unauthorised absences. Complete the annual Student visa registration.

granted approval. If you cannot attend Birkbeck, you must seek approval from the relevant department stating a reason in advance, normally, in writing.

Maintain contact Must inform the HO if students: Maintain contact with Birkbeck by emailing with students who are sponsored for • miss the contact point, or

Tier4Attendance@bbk.ac.uk once every 6 months at least.

Student: Doctorate Extension Scheme

• change their immigrationpermission, or

Inform ISA if your immigration permission has changed, or if you decide to leave the UK

visa • leave the UK permanently permanently.

The obligations set by the HO are subject to change and can include new requirements. Failure to comply with the rules and regulations set by the Home Office will have severe penalties for Birkbeck including a £10,000.00 fine or removal of our Sponsor Licence. Birkbeck will ensure that its obligations under Student visa will be met. A breach of your immigration conditions can cause serious for your current and any future immigration applications you may make. Therefore, it is very important to understand these conditions.

International Student Administration 2 Student route responsibilities Last Updated: 14 December 2020

48 Birkbeck International Student Guidance

Appendix 1.4 Description of CAS Statement

DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT

Please refer to the guidance notes below to help you understand your draft CAS statement. There are explanatory notes for each section of the (draft) CAS.

The (draft) CAS statement is an .htm file format document which can be opened using an internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. If any characters appear incorrectly, e.g. ???, please make sure the encoding of your internet browser is set as English.

Please check your (draft) CAS statement and advise us immediately by email, isa@bbk.ac.uk, if there are any errors.

CAS Section Description

Tier and Category

You are only allowed to use your CAS once for a General student visa (Tier 4) or Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme) visa application as appropriate. CAS is a unique code and is combination of letters and digits. A CAS is valid for 6 months fromthe assigned date. However, the earliest time you can submit your Tier 4 visa application is 3 months before your course start date. If you make your application before this period, it will be refused. Therefore, it is important that you do not make your application any earlier than this. If your Tier 4 visa application is not successful, you will need to obtain a new CAS number in order to make a new visa application. Making a Tier 4 visa application without a valid CAS or with a CAS which was used previously will result in your application being refused.

Making an application from outside the UK • Online application link: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4

Making an application from inside the UK • Students are referred to Birkbeck’s Free Tier 4 visa application checking service. • Online application link: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier-4-student

Name of Sponsor Birkbeck College, University of London Please note that Birkbeck is located in Inner-London.

Sponsor LicenceNumber 9NKX7B8M9

CAS Details

CAS number If draft CAS, these fields will be blank.

Date assigned

Sponsor’s note Further information may be provided by Birkbeck to the Home Office in addition to the standard information required. If there is no furtherinformation to add, then ‘N/A’ will appear.

International Student Administration page 1 of 4 Description of CAS Statement Last Updated: 5 July 2020

Birkbeck International Student Guidance 49

DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT

Applicant Details

Family name

All details must be accurate and exactly the same, including any middleGiven name(s) (other) names, as they appear on your passport which must be submitted with your Tier 4 visa application. If your passport is not valid for the durationOther name(s) of your programme of study, you may wish to renew or obtain a new passport and update ISA with these details.Date of Birth

County of nationality Mandatory fields Place of birth

Passport number

Sponsor’s system This is your Birkbeck Student Reference Number (SRN) to be used unique ID for a throughout your period of study at Birkbeck.student

Course Details

Course title The title of your programme of study.

This is academic level of the course or qualification awarded when the course is successfully completed. • CEFR B2: Pre-sessional English

Course level • RQF6: Graduate Diploma / Bachelor’s degree • RQF7: Postgraduate Diploma / Master’s degree • RQF8: Research degree, i.e. MPhil/PhD • RQF8-DES: Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme)

Course start date New students This date will normally be the start date of the term you are entering. However, this may be an earlier date if you are taking a course in the Economics department which has an earlier start date.

Continuing students • It will be a day after your current Tier 4 visa expiry date if it was

sponsored by Birkbeck. • If your most recent visa is not sponsored by Birkbeck or if you are

applying for Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme), it will be the CAS assigned date.

• Your actual course start date will be stated in the ‘Evidence used to obtain this offer’ section.

Course end date Your programme of study (expected) end date.

International Student Administration page 2 of 4 Description of CAS Statement Last Updated: 5 July 2020

Birkbeck International Student Guidance

DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT

Latest date a student can be accepted on to the course

ATAS certificate required

Work placement included

Main site of address Overseas Higher Education institution

Evidence used to obtain this offer

This is the latest possible date you are permitted to complete your enrolment & registration and join your programme of study. If you arrive later than the specified date, you may be asked to return home and defer your place to the following year.

If stated ‘Yes’, you have been accepted for a specific degree or research in the physical sciences, computing or mathematics, and you must obtain an ATAS clearance certificate before applying for a Tier 4 visa. If you apply for a Tier 4 visa without it when it is required, your application will be refused. Apply for an ATAS certificate. If you believe you require an ATAS certificate but the statement does not state it, please contact ISA for clarification. The majority of our programmes do not include a work placement. However, if you are accepted onto a programme which includes a work placement and you are intended to take it up, this field should state ‘Yes’. If you want to add a work placement option later, you may have to apply for a new Tier 4 visa.

This is the primary address of Birkbeck.

Applicable to exchange students only.

This section contains details of the qualification(s) used in making you an offer of a place to study at Birkbeck. It will also list details of additional mandatory information required by UKVI. Please note, all document(s)listed in this section must be submitted with your Tier 4 visa application, unless you qualify for the differentiation arrangement, i.e. low risk nationals. If any document is not in English, you wil also need to submit an official English traslation to accompany the non-English document. The following is an example of an entry in this section: 1. Bachelor of Arts (Certificate), New York University, USA; 2. English Language**: We have assessed this applicant’s English language

ability and confirm that it is equivalent to CEFR level B2 or higher in each of the four components of language learning. No documents are required to be submitted as evidence of this.

3. Academic progress. We have assessed this applicant as having made satisfactory academic progress to joining the programme of study at Birkbeck.

**English Language Requirements

• If you are studying below degree level, you must include evidence of your English language qualification with your visa application.

International Student Administration page 3 of 4 Description of CAS Statement

Last Updated: 5 July 2020

Birkbeck International Student Guidance 51 50

DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT

Tuition Fees

1st year course fees

This is your annual tuition fee for the year you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa or renewal.

Course fee paid to date

Total amount you have paid towards your tuition fee for the year, including the deposit. Please note that this field can only be updated when Birkbeck Fees Office confirms the receipt of a payment.

English Language Qualification

Is SELT required

This refers to how we have assessed your English language ability for Tier 4 purposes. • Normally this is ‘No’ and only row (a) will appear. • If ‘Yes’ is stated, then rows (b), (c) and (d) will appear.

(a) Reason not required

The following will be stated, even if you were required to complete anEnglish language test: “Higher Education Institution (HEI) sponsor has made assessment”

(b) EnglishLanguage level attained

The overall level achieved.

(c) Test provider Name of the test provider

(d) SELT scores Individual scores of your SELT result

Progression Details

Previously a UK student?

‘Yes’ or ‘No’ will appear on the basis of the information you provided. • If ‘No’, no further field will appear. • If ‘Yes’, the description of how Birkbeck’s course represents ‘academic

progression’ from your previous study in the UK will appear. Also, rows (a) (b) and (c) will appear.

(a) Previous academic level The level of your previous academic qualification obtained from the UK.

(b) Higher/Same

This states whether the level of your chosen course at Birkbeck is at a higher or same level compared to your previous academic qualification obtained from the UK. • If ‘Higher’, no further field will appear. • If ‘Same’, row (c) will be completed.

(c) Progression Justification

Justification of your progression from your previous study in the UK to your chosen programme at Birkbeck.

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Birkbeck International Student Guidance 53

Students with non-Tier 4 visa

2. STUDENTS WITH NON-STUDENT VISA If you are in the UK with immigration permission other than Student visa, you may be allowed to undertake a programme of study at Birkbeck. However, this might affect your immigration status.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are complying with the conditions of your immigration permission.

If your current visa does not cover the duration of your full-time programme of study, you may be required to return to your country of residence before your current visa expires, in order to apply for a Student visa. This may cause some disruption to your study, therefore you are strongly advised to check when your current visa expires and plan early to apply for your visa during one of the College closure periods (e.g. over Christmas and Easter) to minimise impact on your study and attendance.

Please note that if you hold a work-related visa, this would have been granted on the condition that you intend to work. Therefore, you should be aware that immigration officials you encounter, for example if you leave the UK and re-enter at any point during your study, might consider that your circumstances have changed since you applied for immigration permission in a work category and might cancel or curtail that visa on the basis that you are now studying and should be in the UK with Student

54 Birkbeck International Student Guidance

Students with non-Tier 4 visa

visa. This is only a risk for those who are not actually undertaking or seeking any employment while under a work-related immigration permission.

If you hold a Graduate route permission, you can’t study any programme in theory can be sponsored for Student visa. Therefore, you can take only the following types of courses at Birkbeck:

• part-time undergraudate degree courses

• below degree-level modular courses.

Birkbeck International Student Guidance 55

Enrolment & Registration

3. ENROLMENT What is enrolment? You will be invited to complete online enrolment to study at Birkbeck if you have accepted our unconditional offer. By enrolling, you officially become a student of Birkbeck.

During the enrolment process you will need to

• accept the Terms and Conditions of Study;

• confirm your personal details; and

• pay or arrange to pay your tuition fees.

If you require a Tier 4 visa, access to Birkbeck’s online enrolment facility will normally open after your CAS has been issued.

You will receive an email invitation to enrol in due course.

In addition to enrolment, you need to formally register in person at Birkbeck. For the 2020/21 academic session, the Tier 4 registration will be arranged after transition to full face-to-face learning environment. It will be explained further in “4. Registration” on page 56

What happens after the enrolment? The School or department that organises your course will provide you with information on your programme of study near to the start date of your course. This may include:

• preliminary reading lists

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Enrolment & Registration Enrolment & Registration

• details of any special arrangements about the first meeting of your course

Orientation The College usually holds an orientation day for new students on a Saturday in early October. Last year’s orientation was delivered online using Moodle.

Moodle is where you find the available study resources for each of your modules including (as appropriate) things like handouts, reading lists, lecture recordings, quizzes and discussion forums. It is also the place to submit your coursework.

The orientation will be divided into themes with short bite-sized content to introduce students to our services. Students with less digital confidence will be able to access both a video and written guidance with a step-by-step guide on how to access the orientation information and use it effectively.

4. REGISTRATION First registration for new students As part of your formal registration with Birkbeck, under the University of London’s regulations and Home Office’s requirements outlined in the Student route policy guidance, you are required to present the following original documents:

• passport;

• Student visa, i.e. vignette and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP);

• travel ticket to the UK or boarding card if Student visa vignette is not stamped (only applicable to student obtained their visa from outside the UK)

• certificate/diploma or transcript of qualifications listed on your CAS statement (in original language); and

• official English translation of your academic qualifications if not in English.

You also need to provide your UK contact details, i.e. your residential address, phone number and email address.

If you applied to extend your stay in the UK before you register at Birkbeck and your application is still under consideration, you will need to show all of the following:

• passport;

• your UK visa valid at the time of submitting your

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Enrolment & Registration Enrolment & Registration

Student visa application; and

• a copy of your Document Checklist confirming date of your application; and

• a copy of biometric appointment booking confirmation.

You also need to agree to update us on the progress of your application regularly.

If you used Birkbeck’s Free Student visa application checking service to apply for your visa from the UK, you may not need to provide the documents listed above separately.

As the 20200/21 academic year begins with blended learning in response to Coronavirus (Covid-19), the formal registration sessions will unlikely to take place until later in the academic year. Details of this physical registration session will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, you are required to provide digital images of all required documents by the ‘latest arrival date’ indicated on your CAS. All presented documents will be copied (or scanned) and kept on file by Birkbeck as part of the requirements for Student visa sponsors. Full details on how to do this will be sent to you after your CAS has been issued.

Students who fail to complete the required registration and enrolment formalities by the set deadlines will not be permitted to study and their student record will be

cancelled.

These students will then be reported to the Home Office within 10 working days. They will then cancel their Student visa. Therefore, it is extremely important that you complete all formalities by the set deadline.

Students are only permitted to attend Birkbeck upon completion of their enrolment and registration.

Annual Student Visa Registration for continuing students If your course is longer than one academic year or continues on to a subsequent academic year, you will be required to complete an annual Student visa registration.

The annual registration only takes a short time by attending Student Advice Centre in person with your Student ID during a specified period in the Spring term of each academic year.

Police Registration International students of certain nationalities may be required to register with the UK police within 7 days of arrival in the UK or receiving a new visa.

After you register, you must keep your Police Registration Certificate (PRC) updated if your details change, such as obtained a new visa, renewed your passport or changed address.

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Attendance Attendance

5. ATTENDANCE Blended learning for 2020/21 We’re looking forward to welcoming students from across the world to the Birkbeck community in October.

We very much hope that you will join us in the UK, but we understand if you are anxious about travelling because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) or are restricted from travel.

We have put plans in place to deliver our world class teaching in virtual classrooms, as well as on campus, so that we can seamlessly move from virtual to campus teaching when it is safe to do so, without compromising the quality of your learning. Birkbeck provides students with a unique environment and we have worked hard to replicate this in virtual classrooms. We are also planning a series of networking events, to ensure you enjoy the full Birkbeck, Bloomsbury experience, in the heart of London. We very much hope that these will be face to face events but will be subject to government guidelines.

Our excellent online resources and support mean that even if you decide not to travel to Birkbeck, you can still join our academic community and begin your education with us, connecting with your tutors and fellow students both inside and outside the classroom.

For the most up to date information on how Birkbeck is adapting to the challenges of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) please read our dedicated webpage.

Responsibilities of Student visa holder and Student route sponsor Student visa sets out responsibilities and obligations of student and Student route sponsor, i.e. Birkbeck, that must be complied to for the individual and sponsor to maintain their visa and sponsorship licence, respectively.

The summary of these details are available in “Appendix 1.3 Responsibilities of Student visa” on page 30.

The following section will highlight academic engagement related responsibilities.

Academic engagement Students are required to engage with all mandatory teaching sessions and comply with assessment requirements throughout the duration of their programme of study.

You will also be expected to complete and submit the assessed work on time and undertake any further reading or preparation outside the classroom deemed necessary by the lecturer.

It is your responsibility to make sure to touch your Student ID for eRegisters or sign the class register as appropriate at each teaching event you attend when appropriate.

If you are unable to engage with any scheduled academic contacts, including supervisory session, due to illness or other personal reasons, you should request permission

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Attendance Attendance

before the absence occurs, or as soon as possible after it began. This should be done by contacting your academic department in writing with reasons, duration of your absence and supporting evidence.

Further details of attendance requirements relating to your course will be provided by your academic department.

Off-campus Study If you are a research student, i.e. MPhil/PhD student, and to be away from Birkbeck for study purposes, such as research field trip or data collection, and would like to retain your Student visa, it is your responsibility to obtain the permission from Birkbeck before your planned trip.

You should discuss your planned trips with your research supervisor and submit the ‘Off-campus Study Agreement form’ (available from ISA or the academic department) for approval.

Please note that the Student visa responsibilities including attendance requirement will continue regardless of your proposed ‘off-campus study’ period.

If you do not obtain the relevant permission prior to your planned trips, it may not be possible for Birkbeck to continue your visa sponsorship.

You will also need to report your return to Birkbeck at the end of your agreed period.

Failure to adhere to the agreement may jeopardise your student status and your Tier 4 visa.

Work Placement Some degree programmes may offer ‘work placement’ as an assessed part of the programme. If your programme offers it and you wish to take it up, you must discuss this with your academic department.

A completed ‘Work placement Agreement form’ (available from your academic department) must be submitted to your academic department for approval. If it gets approved, the Home Office will be informed. You must not start your work placement until it is approved by Birkbeck.

Your responsibility as a Tier 4 student will remain unchanged.

Change of programme If you wish to change your programme of study part way through, you must discuss it with your academic department first whether it is possible at all.

If the academic department provisionally approves your request, you will then need to contact ISA to enquire if the Student visa rules would permit you to take up the new programme of study without having to apply for a new Student visa or an ATAS certificate (further information at “Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)” on page 8.

Unsatisfactory engagement / Interruption / Withdrawal

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Attendance Attendance

Birkbeck is required to report to the Home Office any Student visa holder whose level of academic engagement is unsatisfactory, or who interrupts or withdraws from their studies. The Home Office will then normally curtail the relevant student’s visa to 60 days, unless you have less than 60 days leave remaining.

It is, therefore, very important that you maintain academic engagement and inform your academic department of any possible absences or when difficulties arose.

Repeat studies If you are required to repeat part of your course but no attendance is required, you will be required to return home. Birkbeck is required to report such cases to the Home Office who will then curtail your Student visa.

If you need to return to the UK to re-sit an examination or access the College facilities for example, you can use a Standard visitor visa to do so. Alternatively, you can contact the Examinations Office to enquire the possibility to do from abroad.

Successfully completed early Birkbeck is required to report to the Home Office any Student visa holder who successfully completes their studies earlier than the date stated on CAS. The Home Office will then curtail the relevant student’s visa so that they have the same wrap-up period of leave after the new course end date as they were originally given for their

original course end date.

For example, if you were originally granted leave with a wrap-up period of 4 months after the end date of your course, they will normally curtail your leave so that you have 4 months leave remaining after your new course end date.

Completed prematurely If your programme of study finishes early and you have not successfully completed your studies, the Home Office will limit your permission to stay to 60 days, unless you have less than 60 days leave remaining.

Completed in time If you complete your programme of study on track, i.e. by the end date stated on your CAS, you can arrange your departure from the UK or switching to a different immigration status before your current Student visa expires.

You must ensure not to stay beyond your visa expiry date.

If more time is required to complete It may be possible to extend your Student visa to enable you to complete your programme of study if your academic department confirms the continued engagement including attendance is essential. However, such extension applications may need to be made from abroad, rather than from the UK.

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Attendance

You should submit a completed CAS request form at least 4 months before your current visa expiry date.