Did you obtain your student/Tier 4
visa overseas?
No - Unfortunately, you can not apply to this scheme if your visa
was issued in the UK.
Yes -
the expiry date on your entry clearance
sticker should not be the date your course finishes, you should
expect to have some time after this. In addition most students should be able to work. Read the
information on our website to check you have the correct conditions.
more...
If you think your student/Tier 4 entry clearance is incorrect, we may
be able to apply to
the UK Border Agency for it to be amended via the
Entry Clearance Correction Scheme, there is no charge for this
scheme. You can not
apply direct to the UKBA.
After reading the information on our website, if
you think your Entry Clearance is incorrect please contact Student
Support as soon as possible by completing
the
online enquiry form. Please note that we
may not have time to request a change to your entry clearance if it
is due to expire soon.
If
you need to extend your student visa to continue to
study, you should
begin by reading all the relevant information at least
4 months before your current visa expires,
this is because it can take time to get your documents and you must
ensure that you have had the required funds for the specified time
in a relevant account.
The
Students' Union Advice Centre are
authorised to give immigration advice to University of Essex
students wishing to make a Tier 4 visa application in the UK. Please
see their website for further information and follow links to the
UKCISA and UKBA guidance.
If your visa has already expired or if you do not have current
immigration permission as a student, please contact the
Students'
Union Advice Centre immediately.
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Students from certain countries who are studying at
the University for more than six months are required to register
with the Police within seven (7) days of arrival in the UK.
Your visa should state if you are required to register with the
Police, if it does this is a condition of your visa, you must not
breach (break) the conditions of your visa.
If you are already registered with the Police but have changed any
details held, such as your address or have extended your visa, you must inform the Police
immediately.
more...
If you have failed to register with the Police in time please seek
advice from the
Students'
Union Advice Centre immediately.
It is very important that you do not breach (break)
the work conditions of your visa. More information
regarding working in the UK whilst you are studying is available on
our
website.
Most students from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
can work in the UK without restriction. However, certain EEA
nationals will need to make an application for permission first.
Students from Bulgaria or Romania may need to apply for a
registration certificate as a student,
further information.
It is possible for students who have been awarded
a relevant degree to apply to remain in the UK to work or seek work
under Tier 1 (Post Study Work) of the immigration rules. You must meet
all the criteria of the rules to apply.
Please note that the UK
Government have announced that this scheme is to close in April
2012, if you have not been awarded your degree by the date that it
closes you will not be able to apply to the scheme.
If you
make an application for Tier 1 (Post Study Work)
before
your exam board has met, meaning that your final results
are not available and you have not been awarded your
degree, your application is very likely to be refused. A refusal will
have serious consequences for any future immigration applications.
Please seek immediate immigration advice from the
Students' Union
Advice Centre.
UKCISA are inviting students who have applied for a
Tier 4 visa during 2011 to help them prepare recommendations to send
to the UKBA, by completing a
short
survey, there are 5 i-pod shuffles to be won. The survey closes
on the 31st October 2011.
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Other topics
If you are a University of Essex student who may be
affected directly or indirectly by world events, such as political
developments or natural disasters, you’re
encouraged to contact Student Support in the first instance if you
require any form of help or advice. You are welcome to visit the
office during normal opening hours if you are based at the
Colchester campus (above the Campus Shop, Square 4) or you can
telephone 01206 872366 or e-mail sso (non-Essex users add @essex.ac.uk).
Are you a full-time, registered student or dependant
of a non-EEA national and are living in private rented accommodation where all the occupants are
full-time students or dependants?
Yes - Provided
your course is for an academic year or more you should not have to pay
Council Tax and will need a Council Tax exemption certificate, you can
request a
certificate on-line.
No - You will probably be liable for Council
Tax, for further information and advice contact
your campus Student Support
service.
University halls of residence are exempt dwellings so you
will not be charged Council Tax.
If your partner has a visa as
your dependant, they would not usually be liable to pay Council Tax.
You will need to explain this to the council and take their passport
and visa to the council offices as evidence, you could also take a
copy of the UKCISA information sheet, see link below.
If you are taking a
pre-sessional or pathway English programme followed by a degree
course at the Colchester campus, we may be able to assist you in
obtaining exemption for the whole period. However, please note that
this is at the council's discretion. If you are in this situation
please visit the International Academy to see if you are eligible to
receive a letter.
Please read the UKCISA information sheet entitled 'Council
Tax and international students'.
