International Student Advice, Visa and Immigration Service

Introduction to Service

The International Student Advisers' role is to give procedural advice to prospective and current RGU students on visa and immigration matters. Advice is also given to students up to 3 months after Graduation. The Service is also responsible for ensuring that the University remains compliant with the points-based system.

If you require a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number from the University for immigration purposes you must allow at least ten (10) working days (i.e. Monday to Friday) for this to be processed. If you request a CAS number within the ten (10) working day period the University does not guarantee that your CAS number will be available. To request a CAS number please email isa@rgu.ac.uk

All non-visa related queries should be taken to one of the Student Help Points - location maps. The answer to your query may also be on our FAQs webpages.

The International Student Advice, Visa and Immigration Service aims to:

Before You Arrive

All visa nationals wishing to enter the UK as a student from 1 September 2007 will need to obtain entry clearance (visa) as a student which they should obtain in their home country before travelling to the UK. Obtaining entry clearance (visa) as a student before travelling to the UK is advised, regardless of length of study, as it is now a requirement for extension of Leave to Remain in the UK as a student.

For further information, please visit:

Extending your Student Visa

UK Border Agency

Please see the UK Border Agency link for the application form and more information on applying for your Tier 4 visa:

Tier 4 Student Visa Extension Process - Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)

International students will require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Number in order to apply for a Tier 4 student visa extension. A CAS will be issued to you after sight of your proof of maintance and any outstading course fees. We endevour to get your CAS to you by 10 working days AFTER ATTENDING A VISA WORKSHOP (dependant on sight of maintenance documents).

All relevant information contained within the CAS will be held on the UK Border Agency’s database.

From documents held on our system, and the information we receive from your School and other departments, the following information will be entered on to the UK Border Agency database:

A record of these details along with the CAS number which has been assigned to you will also be forwarded to you via your RGU e-mail account. This will enable you to complete the Tier 4 application form and retain a copy for your records.

Students requiring a Tier 4 student visa extension are advised to contact an International Student Adviser approximately 4 months before their current visa expires.

The International Student Advisers run Student Visa Extension sessions to help you with your Tier 4 application form – book visa workshop place. Please make sure that you notify the Advisers up to four months (if possible) before your student visa expires, as you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number from the University to support your application. Request CAS number

Visa Application Fees

Please click on the link below to find a list of visa application fees

List of Financial Institutions That Do/Do Not Statisfactorily Verify Bank Statements

For the purpose of verifying applicants' maintenance funds under the points-based system, the UK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions in some countries that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. The list is kept under review, and additions or deletions made as appropriate.

Reporting Changes of Circumstances to UK Border Agency

Tier 4 and other Points Based System migrants are required to report to the Home Office particular changes in circumstances, using form MCC. These are:

      a name change
      a change of nationality
      details of a new passport
      criminal convictions
      a change of contact details
      dependants who are no longer dependant eg a relationship has
      broken down or children are leading individual lives
      other relevant changes

You can find the MCC form at the following link:

However, students who hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)should report a change name, gender, appearance or nationality by completing BRP(RC) and pay a fee as these changes require a re-issue of a BRP. Please find below the link to the required form:

Completion date of studies for Postgraduate students

It has been confirmed by the UK Border Agency that the completion date of your studies is the SUBMISSION DATE OF YOUR DISSERTATION OR THE LAST PIECE OF COURSEWORK SUBMITTED OR EXAM DATE. If your current student visa expires after the completion date of your studies then you should speak with an International Student Adviser to talk through any options for a visa extension, should you wish.

Visa and Immigration Advice to a Student Who Has Completed Studies

The International Student Advisers will give visa and immigraton advice to a student who has completed studies, for up to 3 months after the date that he/she was expected to Graduate.

Leaving and Re-Entering The UK On Completion of Studies

The following paragraph is taken from the UK Council for International Student Affairs' Handbook and is relevant to a student who completes his/her studies and who leaves the UK (for example to take a holiday) and subsequently wishes to re-enter the UK again due to time remaining on his/her visa. Students should talk to an International Student Adviser for further advice if considering this course of action:

‘Students whose studies have now ended and who do not intend to take another course when they return to the UK will have difficulties showing that they still meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for students. If an immigration officer considers that their circumstances have changed or that they are attempting to re-enter for a purpose other than that for which their leave was granted, students’ immigration permission can be cancelled and they can required either to leave the UK, or if they are non-visa nationals, they can be granted leave to enter as a visitor instead. If an immigration officer cancels a student’s leave and refuses leave to enter, the student will have the right to remain in the country in order to appeal against that decision. However, the student will not have the right to remain in the UK if the immigration authorities assert that the purpose for entry is not the same as specified in an entry clearance.

It might be very important to students that they retain their student conditions because, for example, they want to be able to make an immigration application in the UK under a work category such as Tier 1 (Post-Study Work)(NOW CLOSED) when they receive their exam results. In such cases, they should remain in the UK until they receive their results, make their next immigration application and, once that has been granted, leave the UK for a trip abroad.‘


UKCISA

UKCISA

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has useful information regarding all aspects of studying in the UK, including immigration advice, students rights to work in the UK during and after studies, your family's immigration and much more!

Make sure you keep up to date with all current information and advice by visiting the website:

UKCISA Student advice line:

Tel: 020 3131 3576 Monday - Friday 1pm - 4pm

Immigration Advisory Service (Scotland only)

If your immigration situation is complex you may need to seek specialist legal advice which the University cannot (by law) give you.

Following the closure of the IAS Scottish office at 115 Bath Street, Glasgow, all case files have been transferred to the offices of :-

LOUGHRAN AND CO. SOLICITORS
4 SOMERSET PLACE
GLASGOW
G3 7JT

Telephone 0141 331 0374


All clients previously being dealt with through the Glasgow office should contact the above as soon as possible.

If you are a Scotland client and are seeking a new solicitor, please refer to the following link:

For further information regarding legal aid in Scotland, please visit the Scottish Legal Aid Board website at:

You can also call their Legal Aid Helpline number on 0845 122 8686. The Helpline operates 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm. It does not provide legal advice but it will tell callers more about legal aid, whether they qualify for legal aid and where to find a legal aid solicitor (calls may be recorded for monitoring and training purposes).

Other Immigration Advisers

Immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC):

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