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Additional Immigration Information

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If you are an overseas student you may need help with immigration issues, settling into the UK and making new friends. Northumbria offers information and advice to all international students on a wide range of topics. There are also external resources which you can access. View the information below to find out more.

External Visa advice

International students may find the following websites helpful:

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA): Information on Student visas as well as guidance on life in the UK such as finance, accommodation and working.

GOV.UK UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI): UK Government information on types of immigration applications. Includes application forms, guidance and procedures.

If you require external professional immigration advice you can contact an immigration organisation or solicitor. Please note there will normally be a charge for these services. You should ensure they are registered with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

 

Northumbria University Compliance Policy

In order to recruit students who require immigration permission, the University must comply with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, and the requirements of the current immigration system - Points Based Immigration System (PBS). The Student Route is part of a Points based visa system for all international students, including EU, EEA and Swiss students, who want to study in the UK. However, other routes are available and are included in this document where their monitoring is a requirement of the University’s Sponsor Licence.

A Sponsor Licence imposes duties upon the University which, if breached, could result in action being taken against the University by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This document outlines how Northumbria University discharges these responsibilities.

The Northumbria University Compliance Protocol document sets out the key principles guiding visa compliance in relation to all students subject to immigration control who are, or will be, studying at Northumbria University at either the Newcastle or London campus. Specific focus is given to those who are studying under the Student Route. It is intended to provide guidance to University staff, students (prospective and current), alumni, agents, and other interested parties

As a Student Route sponsor, Northumbria University is required to comply with UKVI guidance and policy. Information on our compliance requirements and student.

 

Electronic/Digital Visa

The UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) will soon be launching an electronic/digital visa process for everyone seeking entry into the UK who is not a British National. This will therefore impact international students who are seeking to enter the UK for the purposes of studies. This is due to be rolled out in the not-too-distant future and will be rolled out in early 2025.

This digital proof of Immigration status will replace the following documents:

  • Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs)
  • Biometric Resident Cards (BRCs)
  • Passport Endorsements
  • Vignette Stickers (this is for both Entry Clearance and Visa Vignettes)

If you have a visa ending 31st December 2024 you will soon be contacted by UKVI requesting you create an online account with them. This is so you can keep your personal information updated on their systems. This will then help you to avoid any delays in the updating of your visa information to the digital status.

The email you will receive from UKVI will be sent to you from the following address donotreply.evisadirectmail@notifications.service.gov.uk and will look like the below: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is important that you follow these instructions as soon as possible once you have received the email. Please ensure you check your Junk Mail folder for this so as not to delay carrying out the creation of your account.

To create an account, you will need:

  • Your date of birth
  • Your BRP number
  • Your passport (if you do not have your BRP)
  • Access to an email address and phone number
  • Access to a smartphone

Having an eVisa/digital status will mean that the requirement of physical documentation will no longer be required. This means that the way you prove your immigration status will soon change, but the way you will apply for permission to enter or stay in the UK will remain the same.

The benefits of this are:

  • Security: this is much more secure as documents cannot be lost/stolen/damaged
  • No delays in document collection/delivery: there will no longer be a need for you to await collection/delivery of important documentation after your application decision has been made. Please be aware that there may still be a requirement for you to provide biometric information in person.
  • Less delay when entering: this also means you will be able to probe your status quicker upon arrival to the UK at the border

The University will ensure that information on this page is updated regularly once it has received further information from UKVI in relation to eVisas/digital status for international students, and we actively encourage you to keep checking this page for further information.

In the meantime, please visit the UKVI eVisa webpage for the most up-to-date information

 

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