Points-Based Immigration Scheme

For important information about Points-Based Immigration System, the new system for immigration being introduced in the UK, click here

Immigration and Visas

New students preparing to study at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus

Current students at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus

New Students: Immigration and Visas

New students preparing to study at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus

If you are a non EEA (European Economic Area) national and are preparing to study at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus you will need to contact either your local British Embassy or High Commission or the UKvisa website www.ukvisas.gov.uk to find out whether you need to obtain a visa, or ‘entry clearance’ , before your departure.

Important Information

All nationals of non-EEA member states travelling to the UK for more than six months will need an entry clearance from a British diplomatic mission before travelling. Passengers arriving in the UK without an entry clearance will be refused permission to enter the UK.

To find out more about applying for an entry clearance in your country, please contact your nearest visa section offering a full service.

If you are a student from a visa national country you will be expected to obtain a visa regardless of the length of time you are studying in the UK.

Click here for Visa/Entry Clearance information website

If you complete the very brief questionnaire on the UK visa website you will learn:

• if you need a visa or entry clearance
• which application form you need to complete
• which guidance note you should read
• where you should make your application

In many countries evidence of having had a test for TB is a prerequisite of obtaining your visa. You will be advised on the application form.

For further information on all the regulations you can download the UKCOSA Guidance Note ‘I am coming to the UK to start my studies. What do I need to do about immigration?’

If you wish to enter the UK as a student you will have to demonstrate that:

• you have been accepted for a full-time course of study at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus
• you can meet the cost of your tuition and maintenance (living expenses, including accommodation although it is not necessary to have secured accommodation unless you are bringing your family) without working full-time in the UK or claiming public funds
• you do not intend to work in the UK, except part-time or vacation work if your visa or passport stamp allows you to do this, and
• you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies (unless you are a degree student, not receiving sponsorship and hoping to stay on for work experience when you finish your studies)

If you are applying for your husband/wife or child to come to the UK as your dependants you will also be asked to show that you have appropriate accommodation for them. The immigration authorities will normally give them permission to be in the UK for the same amount of time as you.

We strongly recommend that students come to the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus on their own in the first instance, and send for their family only when they have found suitable accommodation. Students who ignore this advice could find themselves staying in a hotel for several weeks with their families, which would be extremely expensive.

Start to prepare well in advance, checking all immigration procedures and making sure you have enough money to cover the costs involved. The British Council can provide you with a free booklet on the cost of living in the UK.

EEA and Swiss Nationals

If you are an EEA or Swiss national and have been accepted onto a course of study, you may enter the UK without needing a stamp from an immigration officer and you have the right of residence for the duration of your course.

If you are using your right to enter the UK to study, then your husband or wife and your dependant children are entitled to join you in the UK.

You are free to take employment and your dependants may also work if they are EEA nationals or if they arrived in the UK on an EEA Family Permit. However nationals of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia or Slovenia (Accession State Nationals) are required to register as workers under the Accession State Registration Scheme if they wish to work. For further information see ‘Schemes’ and ‘Worker Registration’

Current Students: Immigration and Visas

Police Registration

Once you have been admitted to the UK, nationals of some countries are required to register with the police. Your entry clearance or visa in your passport will state whether or not you have to register with the police. If it says nothing in this respect, then you do not need to register with the police. If you are required to register then you must do so within 7 days of your arrival in the UK.

EEA nationals and Commonwealth citizens do not have to register.

You will need to take:

• Your passport
• 2 passport size photographs
• £34 pounds in cash to cover the administration fee

to Falmouth Police Station.

If your passport states that you are required to register with the police please inform the International Student Adviser, as soon as you arrive at the Cornwall Campus in order that she can arrange with Falmouth Police Station a suitable time for all students that need to register with the police to visit Falmouth Police Station at the same time.

Please note that once you have submitted your passport to the Police that it may be at least two weeks before your passport and new Police Certificate will be ready for collection. Therefore please note that you will not be able to open a bank account without your passport during this time.

Visa Extensions

Your entry clearance or visa will show the dates that you may remain in the UK. If you need to renew your permission to stay in the UK because you have not finished your studies or will be taking a further course of studies, the following page will guide you through the process. Application forms are available from the International Student Adviser for the Cornwall Campus, who can check your documents and application form, and will forward it to the Home Office for you using the ‘Student Batch Scheme’. You should bring your completed application form and all your documents to the International Student Adviser ideally at least 4 – 6 weeks before the date your visa expires.

Extending your Visa IMPORTANT Information