Immigration Compliance and Your Responsibilities
If you are studying at the University on a visa, it is important that you understand and comply with the conditions of your immigration permission throughout your studies. These conditions are set by the UK Government through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the Home Office.
Your visa conditions will depend on the type of immigration permission you hold. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand and comply with the conditions attached to your visa while studying in the UK. This may include restrictions relating to your studies, attendance, work, or the length of time you can remain in the UK.
The University is required to operate in accordance with the requirements of the UKVI. To meet these requirements, the University has processes in place to support students in understanding the conditions of their visa and, for those sponsored under the Student route, to fulfil its duties as a licensed Student sponsor.
The University is committed to supporting all international students by providing guidance on immigration compliance and directing you to the information and services available to help you maintain your visa status during your studies. By working together and keeping the University informed of any relevant changes, students can help ensure their studies continue smoothly and in line with UK immigration requirements
Failure to comply with these responsibilities or the conditions of your visa may result in the University being required to withdraw you from your course. Where the University is sponsoring your Student visa, non-compliance may also lead to the withdrawal of sponsorship, which in turn may result in the curtailment of your visa.
It is therefore important that you engage with the University, seek advice and support whenever required, and promptly notify us of any changes to your circumstances that may affect your immigration status or your ability to comply with the conditions of your visa.
If you are on a visa but not sponsored by the university
Some students study using a visa that is not sponsored by the University, such as a Settlement, Skilled Worker, Dependant visa, or another immigration route that permits study.
If you are studying on a non-sponsored visa, the University is not required to fulfil the same UKVI sponsorship duties that apply to Student visa holders. This means that you will not normally be subject to the University's Student visa sponsorship reporting requirements.
However, you are still responsible for ensuring that:
- You hold valid immigration permission that allows you to study in the UK.
- You continue to comply with the conditions of your visa throughout your studies.
- You provide evidence of your immigration status when requested by the University.
- You notify the University if your immigration status changes or if your permission to study in the UK is affected.
The University has a legal responsibility to carry out Right to Study checks for all international students and may request updated immigration documentation during your studies to confirm your continued eligibility to study.
If you are unsure whether your visa allows you to study, or if your immigration status changes during your course, you should contact the Student advice team as soon as possible and they can advise you on your circumstances.
If You Are Sponsored Under the Student Route
If the University is sponsoring your Student visa, there are additional responsibilities that apply to both you and the University. This includes monitoring your engagement with your course and, where required by the UKVI, reporting changes to your circumstances.
These responsibilities help ensure that both you and the University remain compliant with UK immigration requirements.
This guidance explains the key responsibilities you have as a Student visa holder and highlights where your actions may affect your immigration status.
Visa Conditions Compliance
It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the conditions attached to your Student visa throughout your studies.
This includes:
- Studying only on the course for which your visa was granted.
- Maintaining valid immigration permission throughout your studies.
- Complying with any restrictions on employment.
- Studying at the institution named on your visa.
- Leaving the UK where required if your sponsorship ends and you do not have alternative immigration permission.
Breaching your visa conditions may result in action by UKVI, including visa curtailment or future immigration applications being affected.
Enrolment
You must complete your enrolment within the University's enrolment period and remain fully enrolled throughout your course.
The University must verify your identity and immigration status before confirming you may commence on your course. Therefore, at the start of each new course you study with us you will be asked to complete face to face enrolment. You will be asked to provide immigration documents and complete Right to Study checks before your enrolment can be finalised. after each academic year you will then be asked to re-enrol online.
You should:
- Complete all enrolment activities as soon as you are able, or where you are having difficulties contact the relevant team so that this can be completed.
- Attend any required in-person registration or identity checks.
- Provide any documentation requested by the University.
- Resolve any outstanding issues affecting your enrolment promptly.
Failure to enrol may prevent the University from continuing your sponsorship and could affect your permission to remain in the UK.
Attendance and Engagement
At University of Staffordshire, we know that students are more likely to succeed when they attend and fully engage with all learning opportunities. Being an engaged and successful student means actively participating in your learning and managing your commitments effectively.
Additionally, the University is required to monitor and demonstrate the attendance and engagement of all its registered Student visa holders, in line with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations. As a Sponsor with a record of compliance, University of Staffordshire is committed to meeting all its duties under its sponsor licence.
For more information regarding our Attendence and Engagement procedure please go visit Attendance and Engagement Procedure - Current students - University of Staffordshire
This policy outlines our expectations for how you will be expected to engage with your course, how we’ll support you to meet those expectations, and what happens if you don’t meet them
If you experience illness or circumstances that affect your attendance for a short amount of time, you should contact your Academic Mentor as soon as you can. Students studying on an international visa who want to take a period of leave must apply to do so in accordance with the University’s authorised leave process.
Where possible, you should also plan any travel during the University's official vacation periods. You can view the academic calendars for both 31-week and 44-week courses here Important dates - Current students - University of Staffordshire
If you want to leave the UK for a short period of time, it is important that you inform the University to ensure that your attendance record is accurate. You can do this by completing a travel request from, the process for this is found here International student (student visa) travel request - University of Staffordshire.
Any absence as a result of travel will be considered as missed attendance and/ engagement, and the Attendance and Engagement Procedure will be applied. This may mean that the University takes actions in relation to your attendance. Dependant on attendance levels, this may mean that the University would withdraw you from your studies, and your student visa could be withdrawn.
If you don’t tell us about it, we won’t know why you’re not engaging, and we won’t be able to help. If we notice your attendance and engagement levels are lower than we would expect, we will get in touch with you to try to understand and give you support. We will do what we can to help you to re-engage with your studies and get back on track.
Remote Learning
While you're studying at Staffordshire University, there may be times when you'd like to attend your timetabled sessions remotely. If you're a Student visa holder, it's important to understand that there are strict UKVI rules about when remote study is permitted.
Remote study is only allowed in the following circumstances:
- Your course includes an approved level of remote study that has been authorised by both the University and UKVI.
- An unforeseen event affects the whole cohort, meaning students cannot attend campus. For example, if an emergency results in the temporary closure of a campus.
- Remote study has been approved as a reasonable adjustment because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
If you study remotely without meeting one of these conditions, you may exceed the amount of remote study permitted under your visa. This would mean that the University would be required to withdraw its sponsorship of your Student visa and report this to the UKVI.
Check before you study remotely
Before attending any teaching remotely, please check that you are eligible to do so.
Although your academic staff want to support you, they are not expected to be specialists in UKVI immigration rules. This means they may not always be aware of the visa requirements that apply to your individual circumstances.
To avoid any issues with your visa, please make sure that either:
- Your academic department has confirmed your circumstances with the Visa Compliance Team, or
- You contact the Visa Compliance or Student Advice Team yourself before studying remotely.
The Visa Compliance or Student Advice team can be contacted through Solve. For details on how to get in touch, including links to the Solve page, please see the Support and Advice section at the bottom of this page.
Visa and Identity Documentation
The University must maintain accurate immigration records for sponsored students.
You are responsible for providing valid documentation whenever requested, including:
- Your current passport
- Your Student visa or eVisa
- A share code where appropriate
- Evidence of any visa extensions or new immigration permission
- Any other documentation requested to verify your immigration status
You must ensure these documents remain valid during your studies, if your document expires, is lost or stolen, or changes you must notify the University as soon as possible so we can update our system to reflect the accurate information. You can do this by submitting your documents via Solve, for more information and links to Solve page, please see the support and advice section at the bottom of this page.
Failure to provide documentation may affect your registration or sponsorship.
Contact Information
You must keep your personal details up to date throughout your studies.
This includes:
- Your UK residential address.
- Your overseas home address
- Telephone number
- Personal email address
- Emergency contact details
The University uses this information to communicate important information regarding your studies and fulfil UKVI sponsorship requirements.
You should update your student record as soon as your details change. You can do this by submitting a solve ticket, for more information and links to our solve page please see the support and advice section of this page.
Changes to Your Course
Changes to your studies can affect your Student visa.
Always seek advice before making changes such as:
- Changing your programme.
- Transferring between courses.
- Interrupting your studies.
- Taking a leave of absence.
- Repeating modules or academic years.
- Extending your course.
- Withdrawing from your studies.
Some changes must be reported to UKVI by the University and may require you to apply for a new Student visa before continuing your studies. If you are considering any changes to your course, please contact the Student Advice team for guidance. They can advise you on the relevant procedures and help you understand the potential implications that such changes may have for your Student visa status.
For more information on how to contact the Advice Team, please see the support and advice section of this page.
Changes to Your Immigration Status
You must notify the University immediately if there are any changes to your immigration status.
Examples include:
- Receiving a new visa.
- Applying to extend your Student visa.
- Changing to another immigration category.
- Receiving a visa refusal.
- Having your visa curtailed or cancelled.
- Receiving permission under another immigration route.
- Changes to your nationality or legal identity.
Prompt notification enables the University to assess whether any action is required and provide appropriate advice.
For more information on how to contact us, please see the support and advice section of this page.
Extending Your Student Visa
If your course will continue beyond the expiry date of your current Student visa, you may need to apply for a visa extension.
If you need to extend your Student visa to complete your studies, you should contact the Student Advice team via Solve as early as possible to discuss your circumstances. They can help guide you through the process of getting a CAS and submitting your visa application. Please note that the University cannot issue a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) more than three months before your current Student visa expires.
Before a CAS can be issued, the University will assess whether you meet the requirements for Student visa sponsorship. This includes confirming that you need additional immigration permission to complete your course and that you continue to meet the University's sponsorship criteria.
As part of this assessment, we may consider:
- Whether you continue to meet the academic requirements of your course.
- Whether you have complied with the conditions of your current Student visa.
- Your attendance and academic engagement.
- Whether you meet UKVI eligibility requirements for a further Student visa.
- Whether there are any outstanding tuition fee debts
- Any other factors relevant to the University's Student Sponsor Licence responsibilities.
Where your course requires Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance, you must also obtain a valid ATAS certificate before a CAS can be issued. You should apply for your ATAS certificate as early as possible, as processing times can vary, and any delay may affect your ability to obtain a CAS and submit your Student visa application before your current visa expires.
The decision to issue a CAS rests with the University. A request for a CAS does not guarantee that one will be issued, and the University reserves the right to refuse sponsorship where the relevant eligibility or sponsorship requirements are not met.
If you receive a CAS and submit a visa application, you will be required to send proof of your submission with the university to ensure you have section 3C leave and can therefor continue studying while your application processes. For more information about section 3C leave please see the FAQ section of this page.
During your visa application processes, You should:
- Submit your application before your current visa expires.
- Continue complying with your visa conditions while your application is being considered.
- inform the university of any updates or changes on your application
The University can provide guidance on the Student visa application process, but responsibility for making a valid application rests with you. For more information on how to contact us, please see the support and advice section of this page.
Working During Your Studies
Your Student visa may allow you to work in the UK, but strict conditions apply.
You are responsible for understanding:
- The maximum number of hours you may work during term time.
- When official University vacation periods apply.
- Which types of employment are prohibited.
- Restrictions on self-employment and business activity.
- Rules relating to work placements and internships.
Working more hours than permitted or undertaking prohibited employment is a breach of your visa conditions.
If you are unsure whether work is permitted, please speak to our Student Advice team https://solve.staffs.ac.uk/portalFor more information on how to contact the Advice Team, please see the support and advice section of this page.
Completing Your Course Early
If you complete your course earlier than expected, the University is required to report your new course end date to the UKVI. In these circumstances the UKVI may shorten (curtail) your Student visa as a result.
If you plan to remain in the UK after completing your studies, you should seek advice from our Student Advice team about your options available to you before your course ends. For more information on how to contact the Advice Team, please see the support and advice section of this page.
Break in studies or Withdrawing from Your Studies
If you suspend, interrupt or withdraw from your course, this may affect your Student visa sponsorship.
In many cases, the University is required to:
- Withdraw sponsorship.
- Notify the UKVI that you are no longer studying.
- Confirm your last date of academic engagement.
This may lead to your visa being curtailed by the UKVI. Before making any decision to take a break in studies or withdraw, you should seek advice from both your academic mentor and the University's Student Advice Team.
University Reporting Responsibilities
The University is required to report certain information to UKVI about sponsored students.
This may include:
- Failure to enrol.
- Persistent non-attendance or lack of engagement.
- Course changes.
- Interruptions or withdrawals.
- Early course completion.
- Changes affecting sponsorship.
- Where sponsorship is withdrawn.
These reporting duties are a legal requirement under the University's Student Sponsor Licence and are not discretionary. Where a reportable event occurs, the University is required to notify the UKVI, regardless of the circumstances and cannot be appealed against. Failure to do so could place the University's Student Sponsor Licence at risk.
Support and Advice
The University understands that immigration regulations can be complex and that your visa may be affected by decisions you make during your studies. If you have questions about your Student visa, are considering making changes to your studies, or are unsure how your circumstances may affect your immigration status, you should seek advice as early as possible.
The University’s Student Life Student Advice team can provide guidance on Student visa requirements, explain your responsibilities, help you understand UKVI regulations, and advise you on the potential implications of changes to your studies or circumstances. You should contact the Student Advice Team before making any decisions that could affect your visa or Student visa sponsorship.
Additionally, If you’re unsure how to navigate the University’s processes, the Students’ Union Advice Team can help you as well.
The Regulations and Compliance Team are responsible for ensuring that the University meets its legal obligations as a Student sponsor and that all students studying on a visa comply with the immigration requirements relevant to their studies.
Using Solve will ensure that your query gets to the right team as soon as possible. If you directly contact either team with an incorrect query, this will need to be referred and may delay any response or action. You should contact the Regulations and Compliance Team to:
- submit or update your passport, visa or other immigration document
- notify the University of changes to your immigration status or permission to stay in the UK
- report other matters that the University needs to record for Student visa sponsorship purposes
Understanding which team to contact will help ensure you receive the appropriate support and avoid delays in resolving your query. By completing the relevant Solve form your query will be sent directly to the appropriate team.In order to contact either the Student Advice team or the Regulations and Compliance team please submit a Solve ticket via the Solve portal: https://solve.staffs.ac.uk/portal
Please use the 'I Need Some Advice' form to submit any queries or requests for guidance, and the 'I Need to Tell You Something' form to notify us of any information, changes in circumstances, or concerns that may be relevant to your immigration status.
FAQ
Section 3C leave
The purpose of section 3C leave of the Immigration Act 1971 is to prevent a person who makes an in-time application to extend their leave from becoming an overstayer while they are awaiting a decision on that application and while any appeal or administrative review they are entitled to is pending.
Section 3C automatically applies when an individual submits a valid in time visa application for further leave to remain and holds valid permission to enter or remain in the UK at the date of application. Where an in-time application to extend or vary leave is made and the application is not decided before the person’s existing leave expires, section 3C extends the person’s existing leave until the application is decided (or withdrawn).
This means that, in order to maintain your right to study and continue your course while your application is being considered, you must submit a valid visa application before your current visa expires.
If you fail to submit an application before the expiry of your current visa, you will not benefit from Section 3C leave and will no longer have a right to remain in the UK. Therefore, you would be expected to leave the UK while your application is pending and, if successful, return to the UK once new immigration permission has been granted.
In addition, if you do not have Section 3C leave, you will not normally have the right to study in the UK. The University must ensure that all students hold valid immigration permission that permits study. Consequently, the University may be required to suspend or withdraw your registration until a decision has been made on your application. Should your application be successful, the University will consider your eligibility for re-enrolment or reinstatement.