Your visa responsibilities

If you require a visa to study in the UK, it is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa.

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If you require a visa to study in the UK, it is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa.

Your visa responsibilities

If you require a visa to study in the UK, it is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa whilst studying at UEL.

To complete your enrolment at UEL, you will be required to read and agree to the relevant visa declaration depending on your immigration status. These declarations explain in further detail UEL’s expectations of you to remain compliant with your visa conditions throughout your study period.

To find out more about the requirements UEL have to follow to maintain its Student Route Sponsor Licence, please visit the UK Government website.

Please take the time to carefully read the relevant declaration below based on the visa type you intend to enrol on at UEL.

Student Visa Compliance Declaration

It is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa. In addition, it is also important that you understand the record-keeping and reporting responsibilities placed upon the University of East London (UEL) as your Student sponsor by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

By enrolling to study at UEL, you are confirming that you fully understand and agree to comply with the conditions of your Student visa during your studies at UEL as outlined below:

  • act honestly in all its dealings with the Home Office and UEL;
  • Non-compliance with Student visa conditions could mean withdrawal from your course, and a breach in visa conditions, or a withdrawal from studies will be reported to UKVI.
  • complete enrolment and register for modules on arrival at UEL and before the latest date to enrol;
  • complete any re-enrolment as required within the required time period;
  • pay tuition fees promptly, in line with any pre-arranged payment plan;
  • promptly provide your original passport, visa, boarding pass, appropriate share code and other relevant documents relating to your visa to the International Compliance Team (ICT) as required;
  • promptly notify and provide the ICT of any updates to your passport and/or visa, including visa refusal and change of visa category;
  • provide accurate information to UEL as requested, understanding that failure to do so could have implications for your continued studies and Student sponsorship.
  • study full-time on all required modules unless required to do re-sits or re-takes;
  • attend and engage in all scheduled classes, meetings with tutors, dissertation meetings with a supervisor and any other arranged sessions, in line with UEL’s Engagement Policy;
  • notify the ICT before starting or changing any work placement integral to your course of study;
  • work towards completing your course stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by the end date specified in the same CAS;
  • notify the ICT if you fail a module/s which means that you would not be required to study for the next term; in such circumstances, you will be required to return to your home country within 60 days of your results being released and provide evidence of this, and we will notify the same to the Home Office if your CAS is still valid at the time;
  • notify the ICT if you complete your studies earlier than expected.
  • not take a break from studies unless there are exceptional reasons, for example, a serious illness, which you will need to agree with your School in advance and support with appropriate evidence. You will be required to return to your home country during the break period.
  • work only as permitted by the conditions of your visa (full-time work only permitted during official vacation periods according to UEL academic calendar; re-sit students and students undertaking their dissertation over the summer cannot work full-time; PhD students remain registered throughout their whole period of studies and do not have an official summer vacation period; students studying on a part-time Student visa cannot work at all, whether paid or unpaid);
  • keep your UK contact details up to date on UEL Direct, including changes of address and telephone number and email address;
  • notify UKVI of any significant changes in your circumstances, for example, a change of address;
  • give consent to UEL to liaise with UKVI in relation to your immigration status, as appropriate;
  • seek help early from the ISA team on issues or changes in relation to your studies, which may impact your visa;
  • ensure that you are fully aware of the responsibilities of your student visa, complying with any future Government changes to the Student visa route;
  • adhere to any new procedures implemented by UEL in relation to Student visa compliance;
  • To be considered for a new CAS for a visa renewal, you must meet UEL’s engagement and progression requirements as well as the Student visa requirements. In addition, you must apply to renew your visa before your current visa expires, as UEL does not sponsor students who overstay their visa. UEL does not normally issue more than two CAS if they are unable to complete their course by the end date on the second CAS. UEL reserves the right to withdraw sponsorship or refuse a request for a new CAS if you do not meet the Student visa requirements and/or adhere to the conditions outlined in this document.

Non-Student Visa Compliance Declaration

It is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa. In addition, it is also important that you understand the record-keeping and right to study check responsibilities placed upon the University of East London (UEL) as a Home Office licensed sponsor.

By enrolling to study at UEL, you are confirming that you fully understand and agree to comply with the conditions of your visa during your studies at UEL as outlined below:

  • ensure that you continue to comply with the conditions of your visa and that you do not change the main purpose for your stay in the UK, as any failure to do so could affect the continuation of your studies at UEL;
  • complete your enrolment and register for modules on arrival at UEL and before the latest date to enrol.
  • complete any re-enrolment as required within the necessary time period;
  • pay tuition fees promptly, in line with any pre-arranged payment plan;
  • provide your original passport, visa and other relevant documents relating to your visa promptly to the International Compliance Team (ICT) as required.
  • promptly notify and provide the ICT of any updates to your passport and/or visa, including communications from UKVI regarding a pending visa application, or notification that your visa has been refused and a change of visa category, as this could have an impact on your continued studies in the UK;
  • keep your contact details up to date on UEL Direct, including changes of address and telephone number and email address;
  • attend all scheduled classes, meetings with tutors, dissertation meetings with supervisor and any other arranged sessions, in line with UEL’s Engagement Policy;
  • give consent to UEL to liaise with the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)) in relation to your immigration status, as appropriate;
  • give consent to UEL to liaise with your visa sponsor where appropriate.
  • seek advice from the International Students Advice team as early as possible if your immigration status is likely to change, in addition to keeping ICT updated with any changes as outlined above.
  • understand that you have been permitted to enrol at UEL based on holding current immigration permission that permits study. If your immigration permission expires or your pending visa application is not successful during your course of studies, and it is not possible for you to renew this or to switch to a Student visa, you will need to leave the UK, and you may not be able to complete your studies at UEL.
  • demonstrate that you meet the requirements for a Student visa and pass all modules, if you require the university to sponsor you under this visa category

Your visa responsibilities: FAQs

Which declaration do I need to read?

  • If you are studying on a Student visa, read the Student Visa Compliance Declaration.
  • If you are studying on another visa that allows study, read the Non-Student Visa Compliance Declaration.

What are the key responsibilities I must follow?

You must enrol and re-enrol on time, attend and engage with your course, follow your visa work conditions, keep your contact details up to date on UEL Direct, and tell UEL if your visa, passport, or study circumstances change.

What happens if I don’t meet these responsibilities or need help?

UEL may have to report non-attendance or visa breaches to UKVI, which can affect your visa. If you are unsure about anything, contact the International Student Advice (ISA) team as early as possible.