From the 31 December 2020 EU/EEA students will be considered as International students and be subject to immigration permissions to study in the UK. The University will not assume that all EU/EEA students should be treated the same with regards to their status and what they are permitted to do in the UK for example:
- Pre-Settled or Settled students can study full or part time and can work over 20 hours per week during term time and can undertake a work placement/internship;
- Student route visa students cannot work more than 20 hours per week and must meet criteria for work placement;
- General visitor visa route students are prohibited from working meaning they cannot undertake a placement/internship and can only study for 30 days.
The current position until 31 December 2020
In line with European law EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members can still come to the UK, without requiring a visa until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.
Anyone who wishes to remain in the UK beyond the transition period is advised to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
The EUSS officially opened on 30 March 2019. The scheme was introduced in response to UK’s exit from the EU, to protect the ongoing rights of over three million EU nationals living in the UK.
What is the EUSS eligibility criteria?
The eligibility criteria for the EUSS is:
- Proof of identity- EU, EEA, and Swiss passport or national ID card and a digital photo.
- Continuous residence- Evidence of residence in the UK.
- Criminal Convictions- Declare any criminal convictions on record inside and outside the UK.
The EUSS eligibility requirement is based on nationality and residency, as long as an EU, EEA and Swiss national travels to the UK prior to 31 December 2020 they will be eligible.
It is highly recommended that EU, EEA and Swiss students who have started their studies online in autumn 2020 travel to the UK on or before 31 December 2020 and make the EUSS application in order to benefit from being able to live, work and study in the UK without any restriction.
The EUSS guide is also available in 26 European languages.
More information visit our dedicated Advice for EU and EEA Applicants page
After 31 December:
If you are not eligible for the EUSS then you will have to apply for a visa that allows you to study in the UK.
Visit dedicated webpages if your course is six months or less or if your course is six months or more.
Right to Study Check from January 2021
1. Pre-settle or Settle Status
If you are currently living in the UK, or arrive before 31 December 2020, and you wish to stay beyond 30 June 2021 you will need to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. You are advised to apply as soon as possible. If you are granted pre-settled or settled status under the scheme you will not need a student visa to study at the University of Birmingham.
If you recently or previously lived in the UK and have left temporarily you may be eligible to apply for the scheme outside the UK, providing you have only been away for a short period and can prove your previous residency in the UK. Please see our Advice for EU and EEA Applicants and Students for further information.
2. What do I need to show the University?
The UK Government requires Universities to prove that their students have the right to study and we do this by checking relevant immigration documents.
Using MyRTS, you must scan the following documents to us for:
Pre-settle/Settle or other permissions:
- A scan of the biometric page (photo page) of your passport or National ID card
- A scan of your pre-settle application or status and Share-Code to allow the University to verify your online status; or
- A scan of your settle status and Share-Code to allow the University to verify your online status; or
- A scan of your other permissions
Students with none of the above who are studying for less than six months:
- A scan of the biometric page (photo page) of your passport or National ID card
- If you applied for a visa, provide a scan of your visa sticker with an entry stamp received at the airport – if you used an eGate and did not get a stamp you should provide the sticker and a scan of your boarding pass;
Students with none of the above who are studying for more than six months:
- A scan of the biometric page (photo page) of your passport or National ID card
- A scan of your visa sticker with an entry stamp received at the airport – if you used an eGate and did not get a stamp you should provide the sticker and a scan of your boarding pass;
- Copies of both sides of your biometric residence permit.
Your documents will be checked by the International Student Team (IST) who will either confirm approval of your documents or ask further questions if needed.
The following information is applicable only to EU/EEA visitors who have not made/or been granted pre-settle or settle status or any other type of acceptable permissions.
If you do not have pre-settle or settle status or another acceptable form of permissions (such as a family visa etc) you are subject to immigration control in the UK. The following provides information about what you need to do:
3. Making a student visa application
The websites below provide full information on the process you must follow:
Home Office
University of Birmingham
3.1 Study of less than six months
If you are coming to the University of Birmingham and will be studying for less than six months you do not normally need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. Carry your offer letter for your course at the University of Birmingham in your hand luggage and show it to the Border Officer if requested;
3.2 Study of more than six months
If you are coming to the University of Birmingham and will be studying more than six months you must apply for a student route visa before you travel to the UK.
You must do the following:
- You will start your visa application for the Student route online at GOV.UK.
- As part of your application, you will need to complete identity verification. There are two ways you can do this. Most people will be able to complete identity verification through the app. This will enable a smoother journey and will allow you to have a fully online experience.
- If you are unable to use the app, you will need to attend a Visa Application Centre:
- If you do not have a biometric passport or access to a compatible smartphone you will need to visit a Visa Application Centre to complete ID verification;
- You should still start your application on GOV.UK – if you are directed to attend a Visa Application Centre you will be given further information about this process and what documents you will need to provide upon your visit;
- You can find your nearest Visa Application Centre on GOV.UK
4. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
If you complete identity verification at a Visa Application Centre and are successful in your application, you will receive a vignette (visa sticker) in your passport and will be granted a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after your arrival in the UK;
4.1 When you make your visa application you will choose to either collect your BRP card from a Post Office or from the University.
- Post Office – when you collect this you must check it and inform the IST if there are any errors. You must send a scan of both sides of the BRP card at MyRTS;
- Collection from the University (Alternative Collection Location (ACL) code 2HE322) – if you select the University for your BRP card delivery this means that your card will be checked by us and a scan will be loaded into MyRTS and you will not need to provide us with a copy. After we receive and check your BRP card, you will be sent a link for you to book a date and time to collect your BRP card.