September/October 2011IMMIGRATION AND VISA ADVICESue Castle-Miller and Jo Aldhouse Visa and Immigration Advisers Student Information and Advisory Service Examination Schools

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/

Email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

September/October 2011 Immigration and Visa AdviceVisit our website

Email us with your visa questions

Come to our presentations

Use our batch scheme for student applications

Meet to discuss completed application forms

Immigration and Visa AdviceInformation and advice on:student visas (here and home country)visa conditions and responsibilitiesproblems with your visaworking during your studiesfamily student dependant visasstudent visitor visas non-student visas travelling/returning to the UKfinding an immigration lawyer

Today: a quick look at some visa points you need to check or know right from the start

September/October 2011

If you still have a student visa issued for a course at a different university: Visa applied for before 31 March 2009 (pre Tier 4): OK to enrol and start; apply for extension before expiry date

Tier 4 visa applied for before 5 October 2009: apply now for a new Tier 4 visa or for Permission to Switch. OK to enrol and start course before decision on either application

Tier 4 visa applied for on or after 5 October 2009: apply now for a new Tier 4 visa. OK to enrol and start course before decision on application Collect handout: Changing Education Provider from our stand; email us if you need helpSeptember/October 2011

Check your visa expiry dateCheck you have been given the correct amount of time:

course length over six months but less than 12 months: visa expiry date should be course end date (as stated on CAS) + 2 monthscourse length 12 months or longervisa expiry date should be course end date (as stated on CAS) + 4 monthscould be shorter if you have certain types of financial sponsorship

If you havent been given enough time, email us

September/October 2011

UED4UGNF1This is the Universitys Tier 4 Sponsor Number

If you applied for your visa before you travelled, with a CAS from the University, this number should be on your visa

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (because you applied for your Tier 4 visa in the UK) your BRP should have either this number or your CAS number

If it is incorrect or missing, please email us

September/October 2011

September/October 2011Registration with the PoliceSome nationals need to register with the police (will be written on your visa in your passport or BRP card)Register within seven days at police station in St Aldates (near main post office in Oxford, near Christ Church); take with you: - the form (available from our stand) - one passport photo - enrolment certificate (print out from Student Self Service) - 34 fee(exact amount in cash)Report to police if you extend your visa, change address, name etc. to get certificate updated (free of charge)Do not ignore this legal requirement!

Why is my college asking for my passport/Biometric Residence Permit/visa to scan?The University, as a Tier 4 Licensed Sponsor, has a duty to keep a record of the passport and visa/Biometric Residence Permit of all Tier 4 students. For most students, colleges carry out this duty. Please take your passport containing your visa (and BRP if applicable) to college when you enrol, and again if you renew your passport or get a new visaPlease keep your details up to date on Student Self ServiceSeptember/October 2011

The Universitys reporting dutiesIf you have a Tier 4 student visa, the University must tell UKBA if you:

Do not enrolSuspend, withdraw from or defer your studiesLeave your course earlyAre no longer sponsored by the University Breach your immigration conditionsAre absent for a long time and the University does not know why Communicate with yourDepartment and College! September/October 2011

September/October 2011Study at the institution which gave you the CAS for your visaKnow your visa expiry date and do not let yourself become an overstayer. You will not get a reminder. Nobody is entitled to remain beyond their visa expiry date Keep to work restrictionsRegister with the police if required

Consequences of breach of conditions: criminal offence, possible removal, Entry Clearance barDifficulties getting new visaTake care to keep to the conditions of your visa

Further information on Tier 4 duties and responsibilitiesIn your Welcome Pack, you will find a sheet called

STUDENT VISAS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Please do read it!

September/October 2011

September/October 2011 Extending your Student Visa in the UK

Full information about process, including links to current application form and notes about the supporting documents visit: www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/visaduring/extendingyourvisa/

By postStudent Batch scheme:

operated by the UK Border Agencywe post your application for youquicker and safer than posting yourselfmust make an appointment with us via email

Extending your Student Visa in the UKIn person (but more expensive!)At a UKBA Public Enquiry Office

make an appointment through UKBA

passport returned same day

BRP card usually issued within in several days

YOU MUST APPLY IN GOOD TIME AND BEFORE VISA EXPIRES IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHEN YOUR VISA EXPIRES

September/October 2011

September/October 2011Working During Studies20 hours a week while you are studying

Full time when you are on holidayNote DPhil students must only work full time during designated breaks as authorised by supervisor

All students can work for 4 months upon completion of ALL studies with a valid student visa

You cannot work full time during any period when you should be studying (including research and writing up)

Working During StudiesPermission to work also includes work placements (with conditions)

Self-employment, engaging in business or filling a permanent full time vacancy is not allowed

National Insurance Number see pamphlet Oxford Essentials page 10 under Work

All UK employment legislation applies and you must pay UK tax : threshold currently 7,475 pa (2011/12)

September/October 2011

September/October 2011Family membersSpouse, unmarried partner, civil partner, children under

Allowed to join you during your studies as your dependants as long you are a graduate student on a course lasting longer than 12 months

No work restriction if student visa is valid for longer than 12 months

No provision for children over 18(although can remain at 18 and extend if already in UK as a dependant)

September/October 2011Visas to stay in the UK to workInformation about existing employment visas and new schemes available on website

We can advise on current schemes and look at applications

Workshops - advertised on website

Tier 2 visas obtained by employer we can give general information

September/October 2011Visa is for study at Oxford(check Tier 4 sponsor licence number)

Date your visa expires

Length of visa

Work conditions

Whether you need to register with the Police

Important to check

September/October 2011To do list Take a copy/scan your visa and passport identity page

Register with the police (if required to do so)

Be aware of your responsibilities

Keep your College/Department informed

Read all the information currently available and keep up to date by visiting websites regularly

Make a note 2 months before visa expires and start extension process if necessary

Attend presentations and workshops

Important

September/October 2011

Immigration and Visa Advice

For further information contact:

Student Information and Advisory Service

Email: student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/

September/October 2011

Please visit Sue and Jo at theVisa and Immigration standin the North School1 5pm today

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