Arrival in the UK

International Students

Immigration control

When you arrive in the UK, you should follow the 'Arrivals' signs to Passport Control. You will notice that there are separate queues for UK, EEA and Swiss passport holders, and all other passport holders.

At Passport Control, you should be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your intended stay in the UK. All students are required to show the immigration officer a valid passport or travel document. Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland will also be required to show:

  • an 'entry clearance' sticker (if appropriate)
  • your BPP student status letter
  • evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living costs and accommodation for yourself and any dependants
  • you may also be asked to provide details of your accommodation in London and evidence of your qualifications

At Immigration Control, some students may be asked to show recent evidence of a medical examination/chest x-ray, or may be asked to have a routine medical check.

If you have not applied for entry clearance before arriving in the UK, the Immigration Officer will need to verify that you meet the entry requirements to study in the UK. Once the Immigration Officer is satisfied that you meet these requirements, they will stamp your passport stating how long you can stay in the UK, and any other restrictions placed on you. Immigration Officers at airports/ports can only give you permission to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months.

Problems at immigration control

If you are refused entry into the UK and you do not have entry clearance, you can be sent back immediately. However, if you have entry clearance, you will be able to appeal against the refusal from within the UK. If you experience any problems at Immigration Control, you may contact the International Student Support Service.

You should also contact the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS). The IAS is an independent charity which gives confidential advice and representation to individuals on immigration matters.

Registering with the Police

In some instances, students who will be staying in the country for longer than six months may be required to register with the police within seven days of their arrival. The stamp in your passport will tell you if you need to do this.