PRE-REGISTER FOR YOUR NEW CAMPUS NETWORK...

Web Site

Immigration & Visas

 

Immigration advice and services are regulated by the Immigration Services Commissioner.

 

The Advice Unit Co-ordinator has received level 1 and level 2 immigration training provided by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)

 

Please note: this section only provides a brief overview and deals with straightforward applications. If you have a query or any problem relating to immigration contact the Advice Unit.

 

 

 Extending Your Stay in the UK

 

Before entering the UK, non-EEA nationals will be given permission to enter the UK by the entry clearance officer in the British Consulate in their own country in the form of a visa. EEA citizens do not need to do this.

 

Non-EEA nationals will receive a stamp in their passport issued by an Immigration Officer allowing them to enter the UK for a certain length of time. This is called 'leave to remain'. The usual stamp is known as a restriction, and will state that the holder must 'not enter or change employment...without the consent of the Secretary of State' for employment purposes.

 

Ensure you have been given the correct stamp. If you are issued with a prohibition stamp by mistake, it will affect the rights and status of you and your dependants. It is very difficult to have the prohibition stamp lifted.

 

Leave to remain is usually prescribed for a duration of 12 months or the lenghth of your course. If the date that your course ends goes beyond the date of your visa, you will need to apply to have it extended. This is known as 'extension of leave to remain'. Check your 'expiry date'.

 

Please note - in June 2007 the Home Office added a new regulation - any student who has allowed their student visa to expire for 28 days or more will now receive an automatic refusal for a visa extension and there will be no right of appeal to this decision. You will have to leave your course immediately and return to your home country. 

 

You must:

• Apply before the expiry date, or you will be refused an extension to which there is no right of appeal - please see above!

 

• Application forms FLR (S) for student visa applications can be obtained from the Advice Unit, or you can download it from the Home Office. The Advice Unit can also help you complete the form correctly if you are unsure. The application form and relevant documents should then be sent to the UK Border Agency in Durham.

 

Always send your application by recorded or special delivery from the Post Office. The documents you will need to send to the Home Office include:

• Unexpired passport, and those of each dependant who is
  applying for leave to remain with you.
• 2 passport sized photographs of you, and two for each dependant who is applying for leave to remain with you with names clearly written on the back.
• Police registration document (if applicable).
• Copy of results or progress on current course.
• Evidence of attendance during your current course.
• Evidence of enrolment on the course for which you are seeking leave to remain.
• Bank statements covering the last three months.
• Wage slips covering the last three months (if applicable).
• If you have guaranteed part time work at the University, an original letter confirming this.
• Your letter of continued sponsorship to study in the UK (if applicable).
• If you have a relative or friend who is willing to provide you with accommodation, a letter confirming this.

If your own passport expires, you will need to renew it through your own embassy.

Currently, straightforward applications are taking between 4-8 weeks to be processed by the Home Office.

 

 

The Cost

 

All international students now applying to extend their visa will be subject to a charge. There will be no exceptions and the charge must be paid and cleared before your application will be considered.

 

The charge will be £295 for an application made by post and £500 for an application made in person.

 

(This information was correct at the time of going on the website and may be subject to change during the year.
You are strongly advised to check with the Advice Unit for more information.)

 

Home Office Telephone Enquiries

Lines are open from 9am until 4.45pm Monday -Thursday and 9am until 4.30pm Friday.

You will need your Home Office reference number and personal details

• For general information on immigration matters call: 0870 606 7766

 

• If during this time you need to travel urgently, and need your passport to be returned call: 0870 608 1592. Please note that you will be required to give full details of your travel arrangements.

 

• For an application form call: 0870 241 0645

 

 

Registration with the Police

 

Your passport stamp will tell you whether you need to register with the police, as you will be considered to be a 'Relevant Foreign National'. You must register within seven days of your arrival in the UK.

 

Failure to register is a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution. You should carry your Police Registration Certificate with you, and it must be produced to a Police Officer or an Immigration Officer on request.

 

A Relevant Foreign National is someone who is:

• 16 years or older and is staying for six months or more

 

• A national of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

• OR, a 'stateless person'
• OR, a person travelling on a national travel document rather than a passport.

 

Registrations must be made in person at the:

International Visitors Office
Bootle Street Police Station
Manchester
Telephone: 0161 872 5050

 

The completed registration form should also include:

• Unexpired passport
• Two passport sized photographs
• Fee of £34.00 (per certificate)
• Letter confirming registration at The University of Bolton

If there are any changes to your circumstances i.e. you change your address or you have a visa extension this can be done at your local police station.

 

Registration with the police must be renewed each time your leave to remain in the UK is renewed. You will not have to pay to renew your registration.

 

Please note: If you came to the UK as a 'visitor' and have had your status changed to 'student' then check your passport stamp to see if you should register with the police. If in doubt, contact the Advice Unit.

 

 

Bringing your Family to the UK

 

You will usually be allowed to bring your spouse and any children under 18 years of age to the UK providing you can satisfy the Home Office that you can financially accommodate and maintain them. They will normally be given permission to stay in the UK for the same duration as you. It is important that they have a copy of your passport with them if they arrive after you - the Immigration Officer will need to see the pages showing your name, entry clearance sticker (if you have one), and how long your permission lasts.

 

If you want your family to join you, it is advisable that you arrive alone, seek suitable accommodation in the private sector, and then seek to bring your family to the UK, although family applications can be made and may prove more beneficial at Entry Clearance. The Institute has no accommodation suitable for student couples or families. This will avoid unnecessary stress and cost when seeking accommodation.

 

Once your spouse has arrived in the UK, he or she can study full time or, unlike you, can study part-time and will be subject to the same fees assessment as you.

 

Below are some points to consider:

• You must be able to support your dependants financially whilst they are with you in the UK.

 

• If your children are under the age of 4 you may prefer them to attend a private nursery. There are various nurseries around the Institute area. However, you are advised to check and 'shop around' as charges can vary and can be expensive. The Advice Unit can help you choose a nursery. The University has no childcare facilities available on campus.

 

• If your child is over the age of 4, you must take in account expenses such as school uniforms, lunches, trips and other related expenses.

 

 

Do not compromise your family's welfare by bringing them to Bolton if you cannot support them financially. If you wish to bring your spouse or family to the UK then you are strongly advised to contact the Advice Unit first for advice and guidance.

 

 

Schengen Visa

 

The Schengen Visa Scheme allows you to visit certain countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) using only one visa.

 

These countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands (Holland), Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Please note that the UK and Republic of Ireland are not part of the scheme and therefore, are not included in the Schengen space.

 

If you are a Non-EEA national then you must apply for a Schengen Visa if you intend to travel to more than one country in the Schengen space. You should apply to the embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit first or main destination - this is where you intend to spend most time during your trip. If you intend on only visiting one country in the Schengen space, then you should apply to the embassy or consulate of that country.

 

Please note that Schengen Visas are issued free of charge to non-EU national spouses and dependants of EU nationals, although an original marriage or birth certificate must be produced.

 

The Advice Unit can advise you on how to obtain your Schengen Visa and the documents you will require.

 

Please remember visa-processing times vary from country to country. It will not always be possible for you to obtain a visa very quickly. If you intend to travel out of term-time, then you should make enquiries at the Advice Unit at least 2 months before your intended visit.

 

 

Re-entry to the UK

 

The UK no longer issues re-entry visas. Whatever your nationality on entry to the UK, you should have no problem returning from a trip abroad providing you still have a valid entry stamp in your passport and you are carrying the relevant documents to demonstrate:

•  
• You are still a student at The University of Bolton.
• You have sufficient financial resources to pay your fees and living expenses.

 

These are the same documents you would submit to the Home Office for an extension of leave to remain.

If you are thinking of travelling to countries other than your own, then please note the following points:

• Do you need a visa? The Advice Unit can provide you with the address and telephone number or log onto
  VISA Enquiry

If you do need a visa then write/ring/visit the regional consulate in Manchester or national consulate in London of that country and apply for one. The Advice Unit can provide you with contact details of most of the embassies in the UK.

• The requirements such as cost, health insurance, documents vary from country to country and also depend on your own nationality.
• Many countries will not issue visas if you are coming to the end of your course especially during the last three months.
• A visa (which can last up to three months) issued by one of the 'Schengen Group' of countries; Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain entitles you to visit the others without obtaining further visas.

You must however obtain your Schengen visa from the country where you intend to spend the most time or, if you are touring, from the

country of the group you intend to visit first.

 

 

Useful Contacts

 

UKCISA (The Council for International Education)
9-17 St Albans Place
London
N1 0NX
Tel: 020 735 45210 (1pm - 4pm)

 

Immigration Advisory Service (IAS)
Suite 7B, 7th Floor
Blackfriars House
Parsonage
Manchester
Tel: 0161 834 9942
24hr helpline: 020 7378 9191

 

Immigration Aid Unit
400 Cheetham Hill Road
Cheetham Hill
Manchester
Tel: 0161 740 7722 on Mon/Weds/Fri between 10am and 4.30pm

Immigration Advice Line
Freephone 0808 808 7398
Mon/Weds/Fri between 12pm and 4pm

 

 

Important Points To Note

 

• Do not return your application for visa renewal to the UK Border Agencys's regional office in Liverpool. This office is mainly for Nationality queries.  You must return your application to the main office in Durham; otherwise, this will seriously delay your application.