Work conditions
You must abide by the conditions of your visa including any work conditions. Breaching your visa conditions by working too many hours or doing work which you are not allowed to do can lead to the cancellation of your current visa, being required to leave the UK, and, in certain circumstances, a ban from the UK. Any future immigration applications also run a higher risk of refusal for failing to comply with visa conditions in the past. For more information on the work conditions please see Working in the UK during your studies.
No recourse to public funds
Your visa conditions prevent you from claiming 'public funds', which refers to certain benefits and council housing. However, using the National Health Service (NHS), enrolling your child in a state school, and being exempt from Council Tax do not count as claiming 'public funds”. For a full list of what's considered public funds, please check the UK GOV information on public funds.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you needed an ATAS certificate for your student visa application, you must get a new one within 28 days if:
- your course content changes
- your research proposal changes
- your course end date (as stated on your CAS) is postponed for more than three months
Failure to secure a new ATAS certificate that reflects these changes may affect your registration status at the University.
Please check the gov.uk webpage and the University of Greenwich webpage for more information.
BRP errors
BRPs are secure identity cards which contain personal details and biometrics information. They are only issued to people who are coming to the UK for more than 6 months. This is your visa and you should keep it safe with your passport as you will need it when you re-enter the UK.
When you receive your BRP card make sure to check it carefully. If there’s a problem with your BRP when it arrives, report it within 10 days. Otherwise, you may have to apply and pay for a replacement.
Digital immigration status
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are moving to digital system of visas (eVisas), meaning that by 1 January 2025, anyone with a BRP card will switch to a digital visa. During 2024, the Home Office will email all visa-holders who need to take action, asking them to sign up and create their UKVI account to access their eVisa. If you've already received an eVisa, no further action is needed.
Protect your Passport and BRP
Your employer might request to see or make a copy of your passport and BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) or ask for your share code. They do this to verify your eligibility to work in the UK. It's important that they return these documents to you without delay. Do not allow anyone else to keep hold of your documents.
Personal documents
Make sure you have paper and scanned copies of:
- the whole of your passport, except for the blank pages
- the front and back of your BRP, if you have one
It is important to keep fresh copies of these documents whenever any changes are made. Having copies will assist you in replacing them if they are lost. Please be aware that your BRP serves as your visa, and if it is lost or stolen, you will need to obtain a replacement. The process of replacing a BRP can be time-consuming and costly. Within the UK, it costs £56, and if you lose your BRP abroad and need to re-enter the UK, there is an additional fee of £189. Replacing a lost /stolen BRP can also disrupt your travel plans.
Your contact details
It is important to inform the University of any changes to your UK contact address, telephone number, and emergency contact details. This will ensure that the University maintains accurate records of your information. You can easily update your details through the University's student portal. Remember to keep these details up to date at the beginning of each term to ensure the information remains current.
Overstaying
if you stay in the UK beyond your visa expiry date without applying for a visa extension, you will be classed as an overstayer – which means that you are in the UK without immigration permission. Overstaying is a criminal offence. There is no "grace period" within which you can lawfully overstay your visa.
Overstaying can have serious repercussions for future immigration applications, potentially resulting in a re-entry ban to the UK for at least 12 months if you overstay for more than 30 days. Furthermore, overstaying may affect your visa applications to countries other than the UK.
It is essential to be truthful in your immigration applications and disclose any instances of overstaying when required. Failure to do so may lead to a ten-year ban from the UK if deception is discovered in your application.
If you need advice or have any concerns about your visa, please contact the International Student Advice Service . All advice provided by the International Student Advice Service is free and confidential.
