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Immigration

This page gives you useful information about applying for your visa before you arrive in the UK.

Please note that immigration regulations change frequently, so if you have any questions please contact us.

This page has information about:

Immigration advice

At Bournemouth University (BU), only designated, trained members of staff may give immigration advice. This is because the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers, and requires us to have procedures in place that comply with legislation, about providing immigration advice. Barbara Montagna and Sandor Tamas Aleva in the International Student Support Team are the only trained immigration advisers at BU.

Information, such as visa extension forms and other information sheets may be provided by other staff members and on the BU website.

Please note, the people who deal with telephone enquiries at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) are not immigration advisors. You should only seek advice from trained immigration advisors.

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European Economic Area (EEA) nationals

If you are from the EEA you do not need to apply for Entry Clearance (permission to enter the UK) before leaving your country to come and study in the UK.

For information about the immigration regulations which apply to you, including working and health care, and for a full list of EEA countries, you can download the UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) Information Sheet for EEA Students.

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Non-EEA nationals

If you are not from an EEA country you'll need to apply for Tier 4 (General) adult Entry Clearance (permission to enter the UK) before travelling to the UK under the Points Based System (PBS).

Immigration rules and regulations change frequently, and the PBS system is being introduced in different phases. For this reason, please check the most up to date and accurate sources of information:

In addition, you can read the Immigration section of the Essential International Welcome Guide .

Please note: this guide was updated in May 2009 so we advise you check all information against that provided on the FCO and UKCISA websites.

When you get your visa, check the details carefully for your conditions of entry.

The conditions will include:

If you have any questions, please contact askBU.

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Coming to the UK with your spouse or children

If you are bringing either your spouse (wife, husband or civil partner) or children to the UK to stay with you during your studies and you are from outside the EEA, they need to apply for Entry Clearance (permission to enter the UK) as dependants under the PBS. It is important that they do not enter as visitors.

For information about how to apply for a dependant's visa and other issues that will affect you and your family while they are here, including permission to work, healthcare and school education you can download the UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) Information Sheet on your family.

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Prospective students

If you want to visit the UK to compare different educational institutions you will have to explain this clearly to the Immigration or Entry Clearance Officer at the port of entry or Entry Clearance Post.

You will be expected to provide evidence that you have made contact with institutions in the UK (i.e. with letters inviting you to interview). If the officer is satisfied you may be granted permission to enter for up to six months as a prospective student.

Once you are enrolled you'll then be able to extend your stay as a student. You should be able to do this without leaving the country.

It is important that you do not enter the UK as a visitor.

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Immigration – on arrival in the UK

For information about what happens at the port of entry when you arrive in the UK, or advice about what to do if you are refused entry, you can read the Immigration section of the Essential International Welcome Guide.

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Contact us

If you have any specific questions not covered on this page or the related links please do not hesitate to contact the askBU team .

Once you arrive at BU the International Student Support Team in askBU are available to give you information and advice about any immigration concerns you may have.