Student Visa Compliance
As a licensed Student sponsor, Edge Hill University must notify UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of changes to your circumstances, normally within 10 working days. These duties apply wherever you are studying, including on placement, at a partner institution or on a study abroad programme. This page explains what you need to do to keep your visa valid, and what the University must report.
Your responsibilities
As a Student Visa holder, you are responsible to ensure that you remain compliant with the conditions of your visa.
While you hold a Student visa, you must:
- keep your contact details up to date on school records – this includes your UK address, phone number and email address. You can do this here https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/service/student-record/
- send us a copy of your new passport if renewed
- inform us of any changes to your immigration status e.g. if you’ve changed visas
- attend and engage with your course in line with the Attendance and Engagement Policy
- study on the Edge Hill University campus in the UK. Your student visa was sponsored on the condition that you study in the UK. You must not study remotely or from outside the UK unless this has been approved by the Student Visa Compliance Team. This includes dissertations for UG and PG students.
- stay within your work limits. During term time you can usually work up to 20 hours a week if you are studying at degree level.
- hold a valid ATAS certificate if your course requires one, and apply for a new one if your course or research changes.
Engagement monitoring
The University will monitor the attendance and engagement of every student on a Student visa.
If you stop engaging with your studies, the University will contact you. If you do not respond or re-engage, the University may withdraw its sponsorship, which must be reported to UKVI and is likely to lead to your visa being cancelled.
Absence, study location and placements
It is your responsibility to inform the Student Visa Compliance Team of any long absences, travel outside the UK, remote study etc. as you are the Visa Holder.
Informing your faculty does not absolve you of this responsibility.
- Leave and authorised absence – Requests for leave of more than two weeks must be approved by the Student Visa Compliance Team prior to the leave. Please also tell us if you plan to travel outside the UK.
- Studying away from campus – You must not study remotely or from outside the UK unless this has been approved by the Student Visa Compliance Team. If you intend to do a Study Abroad mobility you must inform us of this.
- Placements – The Academic Departments will notify the Student Visa Compliance Team of placements. Courses with placements include MA Social Work, all PGCEs and BSc Nursing. We must report these placements to UKVI.
Changes to your studies
Some changes to your studies are allowed and may be reported to UKVI, normally within 10 working days. Speak to the Student Visa Compliance Team before you agree to any of the following:
- Changing your course or mode of study – Some changes are not permitted, and others may mean you need a new visa before you can continue. You cannot move to part-time study or an external instance of your programme without clearance from the Student Visa Compliance Team.
- A change to your course end date – For example because of re-sits, repeat study, a delayed exam board or completing your studies early.
- Interrupting or suspending your studies – An interruption is reported to UKVI and usually means the University will withdraw its sponsorship. You will normally need to leave the UK and apply for a new visa to return.
- Withdrawing from your course – The University must report your withdrawal to UKVI, and your visa is likely to be curtailed.
- Academic and Withdrawal appeals – Submitting an appeal does not stop the University reporting a change in your circumstances to UKVI.
In all instances UKVI student visa compliance will take precedence and visa compliance actions will be carried out while University processes are ongoing.
Additional requirements for Research students (PhD and MRes)
- Fieldwork or research outside the UK – Involve the Student Visa Compliance Team at proposal stage. It must be checked whether the proposed research is permissible under your visa before it is approved.
- Writing up – This must be conducted in the UK to be compliant with the Student Visa rules. The University can continue to sponsor you while you write up only if it can still meet its sponsor duties.
- Submission and viva – The student is expected to remain in the UK for these.
- Finishing early – If you submit and complete earlier than expected, the University must report this to UKVI and your visa may be curtailed.
- ATAS – If your research proposal changes significantly or your primary supervisor changes, you may need a new ATAS certificate. You must apply within 28 days of the change.
Extending your visa and the Graduate route
Extending your Student visa – If you need more time to complete your course, you may be able to apply for a new Student visa from inside the UK.
This will be subject to the University’s CAS issuance policy.
Before the University can issue a CAS for an extension, your tutor and you must complete and sign the Student Route Visa Extension Declaration.
You may also need to show academic progression for a new course.
The Graduate route – When you successfully complete your degree, you may be able to apply for the Graduate route, which lets you stay and work in the UK after your studies. You must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires, and only after the University has reported your successful completion to UKVI.
Frequently asked questions
General
- Can I change my course? What happens to my visa? Speak to the Student Visa Compliance Team before you request any change. Some changes are not permitted, and others need a new visa.
- How many hours can I work, and when are the vacation periods? Check the conditions on your eVisa. You can work 20 hours a week during term time. View term dates.
A term date letter can be obtained from [email protected] - I need to re-sit or repeat part of my course. What does that mean for my visa? If this is approved, you may need to extend your visa. Contact the Student Visa Compliance Team for advice.
- I need to extend my Student visa. How does that work? See Extending your visa and the Graduate route.
- I want to interrupt my studies. What happens to my visa? The University must report an interruption to UKVI and will usually withdraw its sponsorship. Speak to us before you apply.
- I want to withdraw. What happens to my visa? The University must report your withdrawal to UKVI, and your visa is likely to be cancelled.
- I’ve appealed an academic decision. Does that stop the University reporting to UKVI? No. An appeal does not stop the University from meeting its UKVI reporting duties.
- My visa has been curtailed. What should I do? You will receive a notification from the UKVI giving you a new visa end date and usually advising you leave the UK or getting a new immigration status before that date.
- When can I apply for the Graduate route? After the University has reported your successful completion to UKVI, and before your Student visa expires.
Research students
- I want to do fieldwork or a research secondment outside the UK. How do I request it? Contact the Student Visa Compliance Team at proposal stage and complete the change of study location form. Approval from your department is a separate process.
- My supervisor or the Research Office has already approved my travel. Do I still need to tell Visa Compliance? Yes. We must check that it is permissible under your visa.
- Can I write up my thesis from home? How does that affect my visa? If this is outside the UK, this is usually not allowed.
- I’m finishing earlier than expected. What happens to my visa? The University must report early completion to UKVI, and your visa may be shortened. You will be informed by UKVI of this date. A successful course completion would make you eligible for a Graduate Visa
- My research has changed. Do I need a new ATAS certificate? You may. Apply within 28 days of the change.
Contact
The University gives information, not immigration advice.
For qualified immigration advice consult a regulated adviser.