Re-Entering The UK
IMPORTANT NOTE: LEAVE TO REMAIN IS NO LONGER EXTENDED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AT PORTS OF ENTRY TO THE UK
WHAT IF I WANT TO TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF THE UK DURING MY STAY AS A STUDENT?
Decide whether you need to seek advice about re-entering the UK after your trip.
There is no need to seek advice if you meet the following 3 requirements:
- your last stamp from the UK immigration authorities (either an immigration officer or the Home Office) was for more than 6 months;
- you will re-enter the UK before that stamp runs out;
- your circumstances have not changed since you got the stamp.
If you meet these requirements, you will not be required to produce any particular documents when you re-enter the UK. However, it is sensible to bring any recent evidence you have which shows that you are still on your course and have enough money to support yourself.
You DO need to seek advice if you do not meet all 3 of these requirements.
If your current leave to remain expires before you return to the UK you will have to apply for fresh entry clearance in the same way as you did when entering the UK for the first time. This is the case even if your Leave to Remain has expired only one or two days earlier.
- For Visa nationals, this means obtaining a new visa from the British Embassy or High Commission in your home country or the country which you have been visiting. Under no circumstances should you try to re-enter the UK without a current visa. You will not be allowed to enter.
- Non-visa/non-EEA Nationals coming to the UK for more than 6 months must obtain entry clearance from the British embassy in your home country.
- Anyone with prior entry clearance (visa or entry certificate) who is refused entry at the port of entry currently has the right of appeal against that decision within the UK.
- Some Visa Nationals may have a single entry visa. If you have the pre-2001 'Leave to Enter' visa AND your Leave to Remain was less than 6 months, you should seek advice. Most students have a joint Entry Clearance/Leave to Enter. Even if this says 'single entry', a student can re-enter with this.
- More details can be found on the Government website. See www.ukvisas.gov.uk
All returning students must:
- be registered full-time at a University; writing up thesis or part-time in order to re-sit exams
- have sufficient funds to maintain self and any dependants;
- be in good standing with sponsor (if any);
- be attending University regularly and making satisfactory progress;
- intend to leave the UK at the end of their studies.
Carry the following in your hand baggage:
- University certifying letter (request this from Student Services Information Desk [SSiD], located in the Union of Students building, at least one week before you need it);
- 3 months' bank statements;
- sponsor's letter (if sponsored) confirming sponsorship for the current year or,
- any other proof of funding (parents' bank statements, bank drafts, etc.).
- ID Card (only students who have applied to extend their leave to remain in UK since November 2008 will have an ID card).
Immigration Officers have the right to search baggage. If they have any evidence indicating that a student intends trying to stay in the UK illegally after studies, they can refuse entry to the UK. Job applications or advertisements, personal letters mentioning plans to settle with a friend can be taken as an intention to stay in the UK.
CAN I STAY ON FOR A HOLIDAY AFTER MY COURSE ENDS?
Your student visa should allow for you to stay on for another 4 months after the end of your course. See Aid to Full Entitlement.
If you only wish to stay for a MAXIMUM period of 4 months after the end of course or visa, you can do so and stay on student conditions.
To enter as a visitor:
- Non-visa nationals can ask for fresh Leave to Enter as a visitor at the port of entry or apply for entry clearance as a visitor whilst on holiday.
- Visa nationals must apply for this status before leaving for the UK.
Once immigration officers are satisfied that you fulfil all entry requirements, they will grant Leave to Enter.
NB. IMMIGRATION OFFICERS NO LONGER EXTEND LEAVE TO REMAIN FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHOSE LEAVE TO REMAIN IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. YOU NEED TO LEAVE ENOUGH TIME TO ENABLE YOU TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE HOME OFFICE ON YOUR RETURN TO SHEFFIELD. IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CAN ONLY ISSUE A MAXIMUM OF 6 MONTHS LEAVE TO ENTER AT PORT OF ENTRY. ALL THOSE COMING FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AS A STUDENT SHOULD SEEK ENTRY CLEARANCE BEFORE ENTERING THE UK.
This information has been checked but is for guidance only. The University cannot accept responsibility for its accuracy nor for its applicability in individual cases.
This information is correct at the time of publication.
The UK government is making a number of changes to the immigration system. We will update our website as quickly as possible when information changes. You must check these pages regularly.