Visa/Immigration Information
A number of teams within the UEL International Office support you with visa and immigration issues in relation to your admission and studies at the University.
International Students Advice (ISA) Team
The ISA team provides free and confidential advice and information on immigration issues relating to prospective and current students, recent graduates and their families. See our Conditions of Service for full details.
The ISA team is rated as the number 1 visa advice service in the Million+ universities. Source: International Student Barometer: International Student Barometer
- Stop Press - Latest news
- Updates: In person advice Drop-in Sessions and Appointments
- Regular workshops
- Email advice isa@uel.ac.uk
International Admissions Team
This team is responsible for dealing with your admission to the University as an international applicant, including issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to eligible applicants who need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa to study at the University.
International Compliance Team
This team oversees the University’s responsibilities as a UK Border Agency Tier 4 Highly Trusted sponsor. This includes issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to current students who fulfil the CAS eligibility requirements and need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa during their studies.
STOP PRESS - There are 5 items in this Stop Press section.
1. Processing problems with the City and Guilds certificates in Bangladesh announced 24 April 2013
Due to processing problems the City & Guilds English language certificates issued in Bangladesh are temporarily not accepted by the UK Border Agency in support of visa applications.
See UKBA Updates for UEL students for more information
2. The Emergency International Fund is now open to those experiencing unforeseen financial hardship
To apply you must be an international or EU student currently enrolled on a full time programme and be able to:
- demonstrate that you made appropriate plans to finance your studies to completion, but now find yourself in financial difficulty due to unforeseen circumstances
- demonstrate that you have maximised your income from all other available sources
Application forms available at www.uel.ac.uk/fees/managingyourmoney/smart-funds/
3. UK Border Agency Updates: Application forms, fees, PhD students, loans and ATAS applications
- 'Print and Send' application Form for Tier 4 Applications in the UK: 6 April 2013
- The requirements for loans and loan letters changed on 28 February 2013
- Visa application fees set to change on 6 April 2013
- PhD students can apply to remain in the UK to find skilled work or set up as an entrepreneur from 6 April 2013
- New online process for ATAS applications
For a summary of UKBA updates for UEL students click here
4. Capita (UK Border Agency Contractor) contacting students about overstaying
We have heard reports of student being contacted by Capita (a contractor for the UK Border Agency) and being asked to provide evidence that they have made immediate plans to leave the UK if they no longer have leave to remain here. If this situation applies to you and you require urgent advice during the university closure period - see our useful links section for immigration advice services or check the Law Society website for immigration solictors
5. Hoax Phone Calls - claiming to be from the UK Border Agency
We have had reports of some students at other institutions receiving calls from people pretending to work for UKBA – claiming amongst other things that they have a criminal record and that they need to go to a bank and make a deposit of £556 – immediately or they will be deported.
UKBA would not make a phone call of this nature. If you receive a phone call of this nature, ask for the name and telephone number and any other details about the caller and contact isa@uel.ac.uk immediately. Do not provide any information about yourself and do not act without advice from ISA first.
For a summary of UKBA updates for UEL students click here
Advice Drop In Sessions and Appointments
Week beginning Monday 13 May 2013: All drop-in sessions and appointments running as normal.
- Monday: Drop-in session from 9.30am at Docklands campus only
- Tuesday: Appointments from 9.30am at Docklands and Stratford
- Wednesday: Drop–in session from 9:30am at Docklands and Stratford
- Thursday: Appointments from 9:30am at Docklands and Stratford
- Friday: Drop–in session from 9:30am at Docklands and Stratford
Please see 'How we advise' for our terms and condition and continue to visit our website regularly to check for updates or cancellations to our drop-in sessions, appointments and workshops
ISA Workshops
Workshops on Student Visa Renewals (including updates on recent UK Border Agency changes):
Is your Tier 4 visa due to expire? Do you need more time in the UK to complete your course?
It is essential that you allow plenty of time to prepare and apply as early as possible for an extension to your student visa. This session is designed to guide you through the student visa renewal applications process and help you to prepare your documents. It also includes updates on recent UK Border Agency changes.
If you want to find out more about the process for extending your student visa- then come along to a workshop on: TBC
Workshop starts promptly at 2pm. No admittance after 2:15pm
NOTE: These workshops are briefing sessions on the requirements for making a Tier 4 extension application in the UK.
For advice on renewing your student visa in the UK check our Student Visa pages.
Working in the UK After your Studies workshop
Are you an International Student? Would you like to stay in the UK to work after your studies?
International UK graduates can qualify to work in the UK with a Tier 2 visa.
Did you know that?
- International UK graduates with Tier 4 visas can switch to a Tier 2 visa
- International UK graduates are not subject to the annual Tier 2 limit if applying in the UK.
- Your employer does not need to advertise your post to local workers
- You need to have a job with an employer who has a UKBA Tier 2 sponsorship license
International UEL graduates may also be able to qualify for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa scheme.
If you want to find out more about working in the UK after your studies - then come along to a workshop on:
- Tuesday 4 June 2013: Docklands Campus, Room EB.G.08
Workshop starts promptly at 2pm. No admittance after 2:15pm
For advice on working in the UK after your studies check our Working in the UK pages.
Schengan Visa Briefing Session
Are you planning to travel in Europe this summer?
We are offering a briefing session on applying for a Schengen Visa.
- Most European countries are part of the Schengen agreement.
- One Schengen visa allows you to travel to any Schengen country.
In this session we provide you with information to help you prepare for an application for your Schengen visa.
Next workshop date to be confirmed.
More information on Visas for travel to Schengen states (27 European countries) can be found at (Schengen Visa Scheme ). Also we have some general information on applying for visit visas to other countries on our Frequently Asked Questions section of the website.
Our workshops are only open to students who study at the University of East London and prospective UEL students.
Workshop starts promptly at 2pm. No admittance after 2:15pm
Contact details
International Students Advice, Docklands Campus
Room WB 2.12
isa@uel.ac.uk
Comments and Suggestions:
Did you find these webpages useful? Is there anything that could be improved/ amended? If you have any comments or suggestions regarding our webpages and its contents, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email any comments/ suggestions to isa@uel.ac.uk
Page updated 12/04/2013
Tier 4 Sponsor Licence
Useful links
