Coronavirus news
Section 1: Purpose and Contents of this page:
This page has been created to provide guidance for students who are subject to Immigration Control, affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus.
Contents:
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You are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to do so or apply to regularise your stay in the UK.
You are allowed to access Visa and Immigration services as these are considered an essential public service.
You must follow current COVID-19 rules for where you live, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you intend to leave the UK to return to a country or territory but have not been able to do so and you have a visa, leave or ‘exceptional assurance’ that expires before 30 June 2022 you may request additional time to stay, known as ‘exceptional assurance’.
Exceptional cases could include where you may be unable to return to a country or territory you are resident in, as that nation has closed their borders or where quarantine facilities are temporarily over-subscribed.
Please submit your request for an exceptional assurance by emailing cihassuranceteam@homeoffice.gov.uk with the following details:
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- full name
- date of birth
- nationality
- Home Office, GWF or any other reference number
- type of visa
- expiry date of visa
- reason for request
- evidence showing reason you can’t leave
The subject header of your email should read “Request for an assurance”.
In your email you should attach evidence to show why you cannot leave the UK.
For example, evidence of your inability to book quarantine accommodation in your country of residence.
During the time in which your request for ‘exceptional assurance’ is pending you will continue on the conditions as per your current or most recently expired visa.
If you are granted ‘exceptional assurance’ it will act as a short-term protection against any adverse action or consequences after your leave has expired.
If conditions allowed you to work, study or rent accommodation you may continue to do so during the period of your ‘exceptional assurance’.
Exceptional assurance does not grant you leave.
It is a means to protect those who are unable to leave the UK due to COVID-19 restrictions and not to facilitate travel, other than to return home.
If you’ve already been given assurance but your circumstances have changed or you’re unable to leave the UK by the assurance date previously given, you must reapply using the process above.
You will need to clearly state that you’re making a subsequent application.
You’ll be asked to provide new supporting evidence.
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In order to remain in the UK, you will need to apply for the relevant permission to stay.
Where eligible, you’ll be able to submit a permission to stay application form from within the UK.
You can make an application for permission to stay in the UK if you hold permission in a route that would normally allow you to do so.
You’ll need to meet the requirements of the route you’re applying for and pay the UK application fee
You will not be able to apply for a route for which there is no provision in the Immigration Rules for making an in-country application, such as Youth Mobility Scheme, or Adult Dependant Relative.
The terms of your current permission will remain the same until your application is decided.
If you are switching into work or study routes you may be able to commence work or study whilst your application is under consideration, depending on the terms of your current permission.
You are also able to apply for permission to stay to remain in the UK if you have been issued with an ‘exceptional assurance’.
You must submit your application before the expiry of your ‘exceptional assurance’.
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If your visa or leave expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 August 2020 there will be no future adverse immigration consequences if you didn’t make an application to regularise your stay during this period.
However, if you have not applied to regularise your stay or submitted a request for an exceptional assurance you must make arrangements to leave the UK.
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If you’re applying in the UK as a Student or Child Student (including Tier 4 student), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may be able to reuse your fingerprints.
If UKVI can reuse the fingerprints you’ve already given, you’ll be emailed with instructions on how to send them an image of your face and your supporting documents.
This will mean you do not have to attend a UKVCAS or an SSC service point appointment to provide biometric information.
If you cannot send the information through the instructions given, you’ll be able to book an appointment.
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ATAS registered courses require you to have obtained ATAS clearance as a condition of your offer.
Therefore, you must obtain this from the UK FCO to meet the offer condition.
Admissions cannot issue you with a CAS until you have met your offer conditions.
If your course is ATAS registered, you must also have obtained ATAS clearance before you can make a Student visa application.
The FCO is taking ATAS applications again, however the service time is 30 working days from the date of application.
It is not possible to expedite an ATAS application.
If you made your application over 30 working days ago, you can contact the FCO on the following email address - Please ensure you put your ATAS Application ID in the Subject Line:
If you have not had a response to your email within 10 working days of sending the email to the FCO, please click on the following link and submit the online form:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Student Visa | ATAS | Decision Not Received
Student Immigration will then attempt to contact the FCO for an update on your application
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You can book a test at most of the approved English Testing Centres in the UK.
For more information on how you can book your English Language Test, contact either:
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UKVCAS Service Points are essential services and will remain open throughout the UK so customers can continue to book and attend appointments to progress their visa applications.
Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are essential services and remain open.
SSCs are offering a reduced number of appointments because of coronavirus. As more appointments are made available UKVI will invite you to arrange an appointment by email or post.
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Most UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow.
Priority and Super Priority services are only available in some locations.
If available, you’ll be able to purchase these services when booking your appointment.
For more information, and for updates to the status of VACs, including opening times in your country, check with:
- TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
- VFS global for all other countries
Ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services will remain closed.
Where services are resuming, existing customers will be contacted.
Where services are resuming, existing customers will be contacted.
Getting your documents
As VACs reopen their services, we will prioritise returning customer passports.
If the VAC where you applied is still closed we will not be able to return your passport.
If your passport is in a VAC, and a decision on your application has been made, the VAC will contact you to arrange collection
If your application has not been decided, we will not contact you to return your passport until it has.
If you would like your passport returned, even if your application has not been decided, please contact the VAC to arrange collection.
To see if the VAC is open for passport return in your country, check with:
- TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
- VFS global for all other countries
We are continuing to reopen more VACs where local restrictions allow and social distancing can be maintained.
Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed
You can apply for a visit visa from any UK VAC.
You should apply for all other UK visas from the country you’re living in.
If your VAC is closed due to coronavirus restrictions, you can apply online and select a VAC in another country worldwide to submit your application and biometrics.
You’ll need to make sure you’re permitted to travel to that country beforehand.
You’ll be able to make any type of UK visa application.
You must select the country where you would like to submit your biometrics at the start of your application.
This concession has been extended to 30 June 2022.
If you’ve already submitted your application through Access UK and now intend to submit your new application at a different VAC from the one selected in that application, you’ll need to make a new application and select the VAC where you’ll submit your application.
You’ll need to pay the fee associated with your new application and request a refund for your earlier application.
English language testing centres outside the UK
English language tests are available in most countries but may be temporarily suspended in some countries due to coronavirus restrictions.
You can find a list of all approved test centres outside the UK.
Check the SELT provider’s website to find out when tests are available and to make sure the test centre is open.
Do not contact the test centre directly.
For more information on how you can book your English Language Test, contact either:
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If you’re planning to travel to the UK, you’ll need to make sure you comply with all travel restrictions including pre-departure testing.
Please check the travel advice issued by your carrier and check what you need to do before entering the UK.
You’ll need to follow the guidance on the following link:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) .
Separate guidance is available if you’re entering Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Applying for a UK visa
There are changes at the UK border because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
You should consider the guidance on entering the UK and Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) before you apply for a visa.
You should also check the travel advice issued by your carrier and check what you need to do before you leave for the UK.
Applications for transit visas and visas for work, study or residence in the UK continue to be processed.
Standard Applications are taking up to 6 weeks to complete.
Applying for a UK Visit Visa
Standard UK visitor visas are currently taking longer than usual to be processed due to high global demand – see the visa decision waiting times.
You should bear this in mind when making travel arrangements.
UKVI are working hard to process applications as soon as possible.
You will be contacted by the Visa Application Centre (VAC) when your passport is ready for collection.
Do not attend the VAC until you have been invited to do so.
You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application.
You’ll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.
If you’re applying for a visitor visa, visa in transit or direct airside transit visa (DAT)
UKVI will continue to accept applications for visit visas.
If you do not hear from UKVI or your request is exceptionally urgent, you can also contact UK Visas and Immigration for help.
Please note that this is a chargeable service for overseas customers.
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Please see the full UKVI guidance on the following link:
Please also see the UKVI Information Collection on Coronavirus including concession policies available to Student visa sponsors:
You may also wish to contact your country's embassy and request consular assistance where appropriate.
Please refer to the section below, 'I have read all the guidance above and I still have a query' for links to webpages that provide further information if you are looking for legal representation.
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Please click on the following link and read the guidance provided for students who are starting a new course at Warwick:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | New Student FAQs
Please click on the following link and read the guidance provided for offer holders and current students who are outside of the UK:
Warwick | Student Immigration | Coronavirus News | I am a Current Student Outside of the UK
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If your current visa is valid, and will cover the remaining period of your course, that is you have not transfered to another course, added a Study Abroad / Intercalated year, then, as long as you are engaging in your studies, and complying with your visa conditions, your visa will not be affected.
Please contact your department to see if any special arrangements have been made concerning course delivery in Term 1
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This process is managed by Student Records and authorised by your department, therefore, you should discuss your academic situation with your Department in the first instance.
Please click on the following links and read the guidance provided:
Warwick | Student Records | Temporary Withdrawal
Warwick | Student Records | Permanent Withdrawal
If you withdraw from your course, that is, you undertake a period of Temporary Withdrawal (TWD), have to Resist Without Residence, or Permanently Withdraw from your course (PWD), then the University is required to submit a report to the UKVI to advise them of this.
You will get a copy of this report.
The UKVI would normally take action to curtail your visa on receipt of the report.
They will contact you, via the designated contact email that was on your Student Record at the time of the report was submitted, to advise you of when your new visa expiry date will be.
Your new visa expiry date will be:
60 days from the date of the Curtailment Notice
OR
If you have completed your course early, then this will be:
The new course end date, as stated in the report + the UKVI Wrap Up Period.
The UKVI Wrap Up Period is the period on your visa between the course end date and the Visa expiry date - see note below.
Therefore, it is important that you make arrangements to leave the UK as soon as possible keeping the above in mind to ensure you do not become an overstayer, as curtailment action can begin on the same date as the UKVI receive the report.
Please see the guidance in Section 1 above for more information regarding concessions the UKVI have made if you cannot leave the UK due to Coronavirus restrictions.
Please note:
The UKVI are currently taking up to 6 months to curtail a visa, however please do not rely on this fact, as your visa could be curtailed at any point from the report date.
Therefore, you should use the report date + 60 days as your deadline to leave the UK if the reason for the report was not Early Completion.
If you Early Completed, and your Wrap Up Period has expired before they have curtailed your visa, your visa expiry will the date of the Curtailment Notice + 60 days.
If you leave the UK, once the report has been sent, your visa will be curtailed immediately regardless of your situation.
Please click on the following links and read the guidance provided:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Change in Circumstances | Early Completion
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If you have applied for your new course via Admissions, please click on the following link and read through the guidance provided:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | New Student FAQs
All course transfers must be approved by your Department and Student Records.
This must be coded to your Student Record, or, Approved Pending Action.
Therefore, you should discuss your current situiation with your Department in the first instance and follow their instructions
Please see the guidance provided via the link below with regards to the academic process:
If you are transfering to a new course, you may have to make a new visa application.
In most cases, you will be able to make this application in the UK, if you meet the application requirements to make a Leave to Remain Application, or, if you current situation is covered by the UKVI Coronavirus Concessions.
If, however, you are downgrading, that is, your new course will be a lower level than your current course, you will not be able to make this application in the UK, as you cannot meet the Academic Progression requirement to make the application in the UK, and there is no concession in the Coronavirus Concessions that overrides this requirement.
Certain course transfers require you to have obtained your visa and presented it to Student Immigration BEFORE you can engage in your new course.
Please see the guidance provided via the link below and the guidance provided in Section 1 above:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Change in Circumstances | Course Change
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If you have any concerns about your wellbeing, please contact the wellbeing team in the first instance:
If you are considering leaving the UK, you should discuss this with your department.
If they agree, you may be able to request:
Both of these options are only authorised by your department, and therefore, any queries relating to this should be made to them in the first instance.
A change of study location is managed locally by your academic department. The UKVI has also confirmed that from 7 April 2020, any change of study location can be managed locally and there is no need to report to the UKVI if the change is going to be longer than 3 months, for the whole of academic year 2020/21.
Please note that for undergraduate students vacation periods are excluded - this means if you are away during the summer holiday but intend to return at the beginning of the autumn term in 2020, then there is no need to seek approval.
Your Student Visa will remain valid for the duration of the dates on your visa.
This remains the case even if you have changed your study location or are on a period of Authorised Absence, subject to your compliance with your visa conditions and any other instructions given by the University of Warwick.
If a condition of your visa was to register with the police, please click on the following link and read the guidance provided:
If you need to return to the UK later than expected, for example:
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- Following a period of authorised absence, or
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- You need to go through a period of quarantine / self-isolation
Please contact your academic department ASAP.
You may be able to resume studies from overseas or extend your authorised absence period.
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- If you are a continuing student, it is important to keep your academic department updated if you are affected by the travel restrictions.
If you wish to suspend your studies, you may be able to request a period of Temporary Withdrawal:
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- Temporary Withdrawal (TWD)
Please note:
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- TWD will cause a curtailment of your visa
- Please see the guidance provided on the above TWD linked webpage.
Please also click on the following link and follow the guidance given:
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The University has to adhere to strict rules and guidelines imposed by the Home Office UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for any students we sponsor under the Student Visa route (including Tier 4).
As a sponsored student you are expected to engage with your studies, wherever you are based, for the duration of your course.
All departments follow the recommendations set out in the Good Practice Guide for monitoring student engagement and progression and follow the requirements for following up on non-engagement.
The UKVI require institutions to promptly act where a student is failing to engage with their studies.
The University is required to withdraw Student Visa sponsorship where a student fails to re-engage following missed monitoring points and after taking action to try and get them to re-engage fails.
You should be aware that failure to re-engage within 30 calendar days of being alerted by Student Records that you have missed 6 or more missed monitoring points will result in your sponsorship being withdrawn.
Your visa will be curtailed and you will be unable to travel to the UK for the purpose of studying at Warwick.
This withdrawal of sponsorship will in turn result in the Academic Registrar requesting your withdrawal from your course.
Please see the guidance on the following links:
Warwick | Student Records | Temporary Withdrawal
Warwick | Student Records | Permanent Withdrawal
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The UKVI have not suspended the Online Application process, therefore, you can apply for your visa once you meet the application requirements.
Please refer to our detailed guidance provided on the links below.
You can also download a ‘document checklist’ and ‘application form guidance’ which outline detailed document requirements and provide screen-by-screen help text on how to complete your visa application form:
Once you have submitted your online application, that is you have paid your fees, you will need to submit your Biometric Data before the UKVI will consider your applicaition
If you are applying in the UK:
UKVCAS centres have started to open, however appointment availability is limited.
If no appointments are available, please keep checking regularly until you are able to secure an appointment.
The UKVI has stated, wherever possible, it will re-use exisiting Biometric Data.
If they are able to re-use your previous Biometric Data, they will email you to advise you of this, and will request that you send your CAS email, and specified application documents to them using the contact email address within the email.
You will no longer need to attend the UKVCAS centre.
If you are applying from outside the UK:
You will still need to visit a VAC to submit your Biometric Data
Most UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow.
Priority and Super Priority services are only available in some locations.
If available, you’ll be able to purchase these services when booking your appointment.
For more information, and for updates to the status of VACs, including opening times in your country, check with:
TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
OR
VFS global for all other countries
Ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services will remain closed.
Where services are resuming, existing customers will be contacted.
Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed:
The UKVI have further updated the Coronavirus Concession on 11/Apr/2022 with regards to this:
If your VAC is closed due to coronavirus restrictions, you can apply online and select a VAC in another country worldwide to submit your application and biometrics. You’ll need to make sure you’re permitted to travel to that country beforehand.
You’ll be able to make any type of UK visa application. You must select the country where you would like to submit your biometrics at the start of your application.
Check the UKVI guidance for further advice.
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If your course is ATAS registered, you must obtain ATAS clearance before you can submit a Student visa application.
Therefore, you must obtain this from the UK FCO prior to requesting your CAS from Student Immigration
Student Immigration will not release a CAS for an ATAS registered course until ATAS clearance has been obtained.
Please click on the following link and read the guidance provided regarding ATAS:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Visa Portal | Student Visa | ATAS
The FCO is taking ATAS applications again, however the service time is 6 weeks from the date of application.
It is not possible to expedite an ATAS application.
If you made your application over 6 weeks ago, you can contact the FCO on the following email address - Please ensure you put your ATAS Application ID in the Subject Line:
If 6 weeks has not elapsed from your application date, and you email the FCO, they may ignore the email or reply to advise that the application is still under consideration.
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Some English Testing Centres are also resuming services.
Visit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)’s website, the Pearson Test of English website or the LanguageCert website or contact your test centre for more information on where the UKVI are reopening and how you can book your Secure English Language Test:
International English Language Testing System
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You are no longer required to quarantine, however, if you are not fully vacinated, you will need to have negative test before your leave for the UK, and take a PCR test when you arrive in the UK.
If you’re planning to travel to the UK, you’ll need to make sure you comply with all travel restrictions including pre-departure testing.Please check the travel advice issued by your carrier and check what you need to do before entering the UK.
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Due to the office closure, you will not be able to present yourself to our office on your return from Authorised Absence.
Please click on the following link instead and submit the online form to confirm your return to your studies.
This information will be verified with your academic department:
You must not collect your BRP if you are in a period of self-isolation.
You will not be penalised for not collecting your BRP during this period.
You must, however, make arrangements to collect your BRP as soon as possible once you period of self-isolation is over.
Please be aware that there may be changes to the arrangements for the collection of BRPs from the University during periods of lockdown.
See drop down section below for more information.
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If you have received your Decision Letter from the UKVI:
Your Immigration Permission starts from the stated date in your letter, regardless of whether you have your new BRP or not.
You must then collect your BRP within 10 days of the date on your Decision Letter, or, whenever you are able to, if your BRP has not been delivered yet - see drop down sections below for more information. Please note that you must complete any period of required self-isolation before collecting your BRP.
If you have not received your Decision Letter from the UKVI:
If you made an In-Time application, that is you applied while your previous leave was valid, then, you have Section 3C Leave.
This means your previous visa conditions, including your previous visa's expiry date, were extended until you receive your visa application decision.
You must then collect your BRP within 10 days of the date on your Decision Letter, or, whenever you are able to, if your BRP has not been delivered yet - see drop down sections below for more information.
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If you have entered during the validity of your Temporary Travel Vignette, and this was stamped with your entry date, your visa has been activated.
Your Immigration Status will not be affected if your Temporary Travel Vignette expires before you are able to collect your BRP.
You must then collect your BRP within 10 days of your entry to the UK, or, whenever you are able to, if your BRP has not been delivered yet - see drop down sections below for more information.
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For visa applications made overseas and where you have chosen to have your BRP sent to the University, if we have received your BRP and processed it, you will receive an email from our Compliance / BRP Team advising you of this, along with instructions on how to collect your BRP.
You will only receive this email if we have received your BRP.
If you have completed your self-isolation, and you have not received an email from us to advise you that we have received your BRP, please see the guidance in the section below.
If you wish to collect your BRP please refer to the email you have received regarding how to make an appointment.
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Your BRP will be sent to the Post Office listed on your decision letter.
You must not go to a Post Office if you are in a period of self-isolation.
Wait until you have completed this before attempting to collect it.
Any queries regarding your BRP delivery to the Post Office should be made directly to that Post Office.
If you have not received your BRP within 10 working days of your self-isolation ending, please also see the guidance in the section below.
If you have not already done so, you will need to upload a copy of your immigration entry stamp to the UK, or, if you did not receive a stamp on your passport, a copy of the boarding pass or travel ticket, via the 'Enrolment Dashboard':
Warwick | Student Records | Student Records Online (E-Vision)
You can also use this to upload a copy of both sides of your BRP once you have received it.
PLEASE NOTE:
You can only use the portal to upload 1 document.
If you are unable to upload a required document via the Enrolment Portal, please click on the following link and upload the document using the webform:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Providing details of your current visa
You must be signed in to MyWarwick to use this form - click on 'Sign In' in the top right corner.
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For any students who made their Student Visa application before 20 January 2021 and used the ACL code on their application:
We will contact you when your BRP card has been received advising you of how to make an appointment to collect your BRP card.
Technical issues affecting the production of BRP card:
We have been made aware of technical issues with the production of some BRP cards.
The UKVI has stated:
- They are aware of customers experiencing delays obtaining BRPs and are working hard to respond to enquiries and resolve issues.
- You will be issued an email/letter confirming production delay (see an example letter here) and you can use the letter as evidence of your immigration status in the UK (for right to work checks, for example).
- To allow them to process outstanding requests, they ask that customers do not send chaser e-forms or emails.
If they are unable to resolve the issue, they will request that you resubmit your Biometric Data via UKVCAS - There may be an additional £19.20 fee to do this, please see your letter for confirmation.
- They will send this request via letter to your last known address held on their systems.
- You should submit your Biometrics as soon as possible.
- Once you have submitted your Biometric (facial photo and fingerprints), let us know by emailing brp@warwick.ac.uk and we will notify the UKVI on your behalf to start the BRP production process.
To enable the University to monitor the situation, please click on the following link and submit the online form to advise us if you are in this situation:
Warwick | Student Immigration | I am a Student | Contact Us
Please ensure you select 'Other: BRP Not Received' in the 'What is Your enquiry about' field.
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The UKVI advises that you should not leave the UK until you have received your BRP.
However, if you do need to leave the UK before receiving your BRP, please see the guidance below:
If your current Temporary Travel Vignette covers your intended return date:
Your 90 day Temporary Travel Vignette is a Multi-Entry visa, which means you can leave and enter the UK under it, for as long as the Temporary Travel Vignette is still valid.
If it will expire before your intended return date, see guidance below.
If your current Temporary Travel Vignette does not cover your intended return date:
You will need to make a Replacement BRP application to return to the UK - this costs £154.00.
Please note:
This process is usually used to enable someone to return to the UK if they have lost their BRP abroad, but is the correct process to use in this circumstance.
Please click on the following link, and follow the online instructions:
Please click on the following link and submit our online contact form:
Please click on the following links for more information
University of Warwick:
UK Government:
Other contacts: