Immigration

Your granted visa

If you enrolled your biometrics at a visa application centre, you will receive a 90 day entry visa based on your intended travel date to the UK. Once you have arrived in the UK, you will be able to collect your full visa in the form of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP card) which will cover you for the duration of your programme. You should ensure that you input the University’s BRP Collection code on your visa application form so that you will be able to collect your BRP from the University at International Student Clearance. The BRP Collection Code is included on your CAS Statement. You must enter the UK within the dates of your entry visa.

If you enrolled your biometrics via the UK ID Check app, your visa will likely be granted as a digital status. You will not receive a separate entry visa or BRP card.

You must ensure that you travel to the UK between the start and end date of your 90 day entry visa, or after the start date of your digital status if you have one. Traveling before the date of your entry visa or digital status is not allowed.

If you have not received your visa in time for your intended travel, you must not enter the UK as a Visitor instead – it is illegal to start a course that is longer than six months in this category and you will not be allowed to start your course at the University of Exeter.

Refusals

If your visa application is refused, don’t panic! Read carefully through the refusal notice that you are given – this sets out the reasons for the refusal.

If UKVI is mistaken in their refusal, it may be possible to request an administrative review of the decision but we strongly recommend that you do not do so until you have consulted with International Student Support.

It will often be better to submit a new application, fixing the perceived problem, but please note that you will require a new CAS to do this. To receive advice on your next steps and to request your new CAS, you will need to scan and email your refusal notice to visaadvice@ exeter.ac.uk

Students with families

If you are a non-UK student coming to the UK on a postgraduate course of more than 12 months, or you are sponsored by your national government on a course of six months or more, you can apply to bring a spouse or civil partner and any children under 18 as your dependants. Each family member needs to apply for immigration permission as a Student Dependant before travelling to the UK. You should all apply at the same time, even if you are planning to travel separately.

The application process including application fees, documents and the strict immigration rules governing dependant visas are explained in detail on our website: Dependant visas. You can contact International Student Support for confidential advice about your dependant applications at visaadvice@ exeter.ac.uk