Your arrival
Visa checkpoint
The information on these pages applies to any student not holding a UK or Irish passport.
As a University who is authorised to sponsor international students, we are required to ensure that every student has valid UK leave (permission) throughout the whole period of their study. We are required to keep copies of documents provided during visa checkpoint as part of our sponsor duties in accordance with our privacy notice.
Students holding any form of ‘unlimited leave’, e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain, ‘No time-limit' or EU Settled Status, will only have to evidence their UK status once when they first register with the University. If during your studies, your status changes or you obtain a new document or eVisa, please share this with us so we can update our records.
New students
All new international students must complete their visa checkpoint at the start of their studies and provide evidence that they have valid permission to study in the UK with the University of Leicester.
Most new international students will have to obtain a Student Visa in order to study a degree course in the UK. To obtain a Student Visa you will have to request a Certificate of Acceptance of Study (CAS). Please see our webpages on how to request a CAS and apply for your visa.
Returning students
Returning students will only be required to attend a visa checkpoint where an immigration document we have stored against your record has expired or where you have obtained a new passport or visa. The University will contact you if your documents are out of date. If you have replaced a lost or stolen document, we will rely on you to tell us.
If one of your documents has expired you will have to provide a new passport or visa before completing registration for the new academic year. Sponsored students who are returning to campus-based study after a break in studies (eg. after a period of Resit Without Residence or a suspension) will normally have to obtain a new Student Visa before travelling to the UK, and should request a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) as soon as possible by completing the online CAS Request form. You must apply for a Student Visa if your total course length was more than six months even if you have less time remaining. You will also need to book an appointment to attend a visa checkpoint and complete your registration. The guidance around required documents (below) will apply to you so please read it carefully to ensure a smooth re-registration.
All other returning students whose immigration documentation is still current and valid will complete their registration and become a current student when any tuition fees for the year have been paid and online registration has been completed. You must pay your fees for the year in order to register online.
Attending your visa checkpoint
January 2025
Visa checkpoint will take place in the Training Room - 2.23 located on the second floor of the Percy Gee Building. Bookings will open in late November 2024 and will be included in your invite to register as well as any reminders. From Tuesday 21 January 2025 onwards you will need to visit the Information Hub in the David Wilson Library to complete your visa checkpoint.
Once you complete the visa checkpoint you will receive your University ID card and will be able to download a range of letters (including a letter to help you open a UK bank account) that you may need during your studies to confirm your student status. You can find them in the 'My uni documents’ section of My Student Record.
Successfully completing visa checkpoint and completing registration
To successfully complete the visa checkpoint and register with the University all students must have provided:
- a valid passport and entry clearance vignette or
- photo ID and other acceptable evidence of valid permission to study in the UK
Students applying for their Student Visa overseas will still be issued with an entry clearance vignette (visa sticker in passport) to allow entry to the UK but will no longer be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) once in the UK. This is because the Home Office has stopped issuing BRPs as part of the transition to online digital status or eVisas. Your grant/decision letter or email will provide you with instructions on how to create your UKVI account and eVisa. If you applied for your Student Visa overseas, you will not need to provide us with a Share code once you have generated your eVisa.
Students who apply to extend their visa in the UK will now be issued with an eVisa rather than a BRP. If you applied for our visa in the UK you should provide us with a Share code by completing the online Share code form.
Registering on a degree course of MORE than six months in duration
Most students studying on a degree course of more than six months will need to apply for a Student Visa. This applies even if you are returning for your final semester (eg. after a break due to a period of suspense, or Resit without Residence) as the total length of study is more than six months.
If you will spend less than six months in total studying in the UK (eg. on a one-semester Study Abroad exchange) you can likely enter as a visitor without applying for a visa in advance. Please see the information below.
Registering on an English Language course of more than six months
Students who will progress straight to their main course of study in the UK after successfully completing an English language course may be able to request a CAS to obtain a Student Visa which can then be renewed or extended in the UK. You will be able to start your main course of study once you have submitted a new in-time visa application.
If you are studying in the UK for more than six months on an English Language course and have not been issued with a CAS, you should apply for a Short-term Student Visa. If your English language course is less than six months in duration you will be able to study on a Standard Visitor Visa as outlined below.
Registering on a course of LESS than six months in duration
If you are a non-visa national you do not need a visa to come to the UK for a short period. You can study on courses of up to six months without a visa, for instance an English language course or one semester of Study Abroad/Erasmus. You can also do a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas.
If you are not a non-visa national you will have to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa in order to enter the UK and study.
You cannot study or register on a course that lasts longer than six months, unless it is a distance learning course, in which case you can travel to the UK periodically to meet with your tutor. Visitors are not permitted to work or get public funds. See the guidance on visitors below.
Anyone registering on a full-length degree course who does not already have permission to live, work or study in the UK (eg. EU Settled Status) will normally need to request a CAS and obtain a Student Visa. Please note that this applies even if you are returning for your final semester (eg, after a break due to a period of suspense, or Resit without Residence) as the total length of study is more than six months. It also applies to students registering for two consecutive Study Abroad semesters.
Documents to bring with you
Please note all documents must be originals. Copies will not normally be accepted. Your permission (visa) should normally cover the full duration of your programme of study. If it does not you may be asked to speak with a member of Student Immigration Advice and Compliance (SIAC) before you register.
Students who are unable to provide evidence they have valid permission to study in the UK will not be able to complete registration. If you are having difficulties collecting or proving your status in the UK you should contact Student Immigration Advice and Compliance (vias@le.ac.uk) as soon as possible to limit any delays in registering. With your consent we can liaise directly with UKVI to confirm your immigration status and right to study in the UK. To proceed, complete the Consent for Immigration Check form.
When travelling we recommend that in addition to the documents below you carry in your hand luggage any documents you used to gain entry to the University and have them ready to show an officer at the border.
Student visa
EU, EEA/Swiss citizens granted EU Pre-Settled/Settled Status
Accepted documents
- Passport or national ID card
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check.
Dependant of an EU, EEA/Swiss national granted EU Pre-Settled/Settled Status
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check.
Visitor
You will only be allowed to register on a course of less than 6 months, for example, one semester of Study Abroad. You cannot extend or switch from a visitor visa in the UK.
If you applied overseas at a Visa Application Centre before traveling you must provide your:
- Passport
- Entry Clearance Vignette
- Boarding card or flight details or
If your passport was stamped at the UK border you will need to provide:
- Passport
- Entry Clearance Vignette
- Date entry stamp or
If you don’t have a vignette or a date stamp in your passport you will need to provide:
- Passport
- Boarding card or flight details
If you do not intend to apply in advance you should additionally carry the documents below with you in your hand luggage and have them available to show a Border Force Officer:
- Your offer letter which shows you have been accepted on to a course with us
- Evidence of funds to support yourself whilst in the UK
- A rental agreement or details of accommodation that you have arranged for your stay
- A return travel ticket or evidence you have the funds to pay for one
You should apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK if you have a criminal record or you’ve previously been refused entry into the UK.
Electronic Travel Waiver (ETA)
You can normally apply for an ETA if you are holding a passport from a country listed below and not already holding a visa. You can study on a course of up to 6 months.
- Bahrain
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
At visa checkpoint you will need to show:
- Passport
- Date-stamp in passport or boarding card or flight details
Short-Term Study visa
This visa is normally only for study on an English Language course of more than six months. You must apply for this visa at a Visa Application Centre in your home country before travelling.
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Entry clearance vignette in passport
- Date-stamp in passport or boarding card/flight details
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check. Please note you will only receive a Share Code if your stay in the UK and visa is longer than six months.
Dependant visa
You can normally register on a Dependant Visa. If your visa will expire before your course ends you will have to either extend your Dependant Visa or request a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to obtain a Student Visa. Please note to qualify for the Graduate Route and meet the UK study requirement you would have to study at least 12 months on the Student Visa.
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check. Please note you will only receive a Share Code if your stay in the UK and visa is longer than six months.
British National Overseas (BNO) visa
Most BNO applicants are issued with online digital status.
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check.
Ukraine Scheme BRP
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check. Please note you will only receive a Share Code if your stay in the UK and visa is longer than six months.
Asylum or protection in the UK
Accepted documents
- Passport*
- Valid ARC card
*If your passport has expired or you do not have access to your passport you will still be able to register provided you can prove your status in the UK. If your ARC card has expired please complete the consent for immigration history form, providing your consent for us to check your immigration status and permission to study directly with UKVI. You should take your expired ARC card to the Sports Hall as part of the visa checkpoint.
If you have been issued with a BAIL Letter which states ‘No study’ you must tell visas@le.ac.uk, as until this is updated/corrected you will not be able to register or study.
Indefinite Leave to Enter/Remain (or Settlement)
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check. Please note you will only receive a Share Code if your stay in the UK and visa is longer than six months.
*If you are holding a wet-stamp in your passport or other physical evidence, please see our guidance on UKVI’s switch to online digital status. If you already have an online digital status or eVisa, please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check.
Waiting for a decision on a visa application
You may not be able to provide a current valid visa at the visa checkpoint or during your studies because you have made a new visa application and are waiting for a decision. In this case, you must provide evidence that you made a valid application before your previous visa expired by providing:
- your current passport or travel document.
- your previous, or most recent visa (or permission) so we can confirm the expiry date
Other acceptable documentation
- a checklist and UKVCAS appointment letter with barcode or
- a biometrics letter or
- an acknowledgement letter from the UKVI
- A copy of the application which shows when payment was taken
- UKVI letter or email confirming the visa has been issued (you must provide new BRP as soon as it arrives)
What we cannot accept
- A solicitor’s letter confirming submission of the application
- Application which does not list your name
- Biometric appointment letter
If you are having difficulty obtaining any of these documents, you should let Student Immigration Advice and Compliance (SIAC) (visas@le.ac.uk) know as soon as possible. With your consent they are able to liaise directly with UKVI to confirm your immigration status and right to study in the UK. To proceed, complete the consent for immigration check form.
To avoid delays at the visa checkpoint, please send a copy of these documents to visas@le.ac.uk before booking your appointment and attending the visa checkpoint.
Once you are enrolled we will make periodic checks to ensure that your application is still pending and you retain the right to study in the UK. If you receive any updates or are notified of a change in your status you should tell visas@le.ac.uk as soon as possible. When you receive your new visa you should take it to the Information Hub in the David Wilson Library so it can be copied for our records. If your visa is refused you must notify visas@le.ac.uk as soon as possible as well as updating us of any appeal.
To successfully pass the visa checkpoint and avoid delays please ensure you print the documents above and have them ready to present at the checkpoint. If you have any concerns around documentation please contact visas@le.ac.uk in advance providing any relevant documentation so they can advise you correctly.
Visas and immigration statuses that are not normally valid for study
Academic Visitor visa
This visa is not intended for study and is instead for academics already working overseas and experts in their field. This will usually mean you have a PhD or higher and are currently working at an academic institution overseas.
If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can:
- take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
- carry out research, either as part of your job or independently
If you have arrived in the UK with this visa intending to study, please contact visas@le.ac.uk
British National Overseas (BNO) or British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) Passport
If you are holding a BNO or BOTC passport you will normally be able to enrol on your course. However, this passport only permits you to visit the UK for up to six months without a visa and you do not automatically have the right of abode or right to work in the UK. Therefore, within six months you will have to show that you have applied for either a Student Visa or a UK Passport if eligible.
Accepted documents
- Passport
Child Student visa
If your entry clearance or BRP states Child Student Visa you will not normally be able to enrol unless:
- you have just completed a course of study (A-levels) and have applied for a new Student Visa to study with us. Please see the section - 'You are waiting for a decision on your visa application'
- your Child Student Visa shows our Sponsor Licence number JTV8BV799 and has been issued in error
If a Child Student Visa has been issued in error, you must contact visas@le.ac.uk as soon as possible, providing a copy of your Share Code and visa application so they can request a correction. There will be a delay whilst we liaise with UKVI and confirm we can register you.
Graduate Route visa
Study is not generally allowed on a Graduate Route visa. To register you will have to request a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and apply for a Student Visa. You will not be able to enrol until the new visa has been issued.
Please note you can only ever obtain one Graduate Route Visa so you will not be eligible to apply again after completing your new course.
Skilled Worker visa
You will only usually be able to register for a part-time course as your focus should be on the job role you are being sponsored for. Some postgraduate research students sponsored through funding that requires an employment contract with the University, such as Marie Curie, are permitted to study full-time. Please contact the Doctoral College prior to attending the visa checkpoint by emailing pgresearch@le.ac.uk and ask them to confirm your status to Student Immigration Advice and Compliance (visas@le.ac.uk).
Accepted documents
- Passport
- Share code – Please generate a Share Code and complete the Share Code form before booking an appointment and attending the checkpoint. When you generate your code through the online portal you should choose 'something else’ as the reason for the check.
PGR students who switch to Skilled Worker Visas later on in their studies should inform visas@le.ac.uk as soon as possible by completing the consent for immigration check form. This will not normally affect your registration.