International

Welcome from the International Student Support Service

We would like to welcome you to Glasgow Caledonian University and into our International Community. We provide support and advice for all international students click here. We have drop-in sessions (no appointment required) where you can come and speak to an adviser. Appointments are also available: please contact isss@gcu.ac.uk to book an appointment.

VISA ADVICE Immigration and Visa Advice should be given only by the trained staff in ISSS, if you have been given guidance from anyone else, please contact ISSS directly. [scroll down for drop-in times]

NEW: Your Student Visa: Protecting Your Student Visa Status

Advice from ISSS click here to open the leaflet. It is your responsibility as a student at GCU to read and adhere to this advice. This will ensure you meet the conditions of your valid visa status to study at GCU.

UKBA Regulation

It is normal practice for the UKBA to visit institutions across the UK as part of its role to ensure compliance with the visa regulations.

In line with this routine procedure, the University will be having a visit from the UKBA. There is no reason for any student who is complying with the terms of their visa to feel concerned about this. However it is important that you follow the instructions and advice which the University has been giving you routinely. As a short reminder, this means that as well as following any instructions that are on your visa, you should:

1. Check that the relevant visa-related information that the University holds on you is up to date. This includes:
• Your contact details – this means your current address in Glasgow as well as your address in your home country and your phone number(s); you can do this by visiting the Student Administrative Services, (Level 0 Saltire Centre).
• Ensuring that the University has the correct visa expiry date for you.
2. Make sure you have a valid visa. If your visa expires within the next 90 days, you must take the appropriate steps to have it renewed before your current visa expires. ISSS can help you with this and you must get in touch with ISSS immediately if you have not done so already. Remember, it can take some time to get a visa renewed (approximately 8 weeks).
3. Ensure that you are attending all your classes and let your tutor or Programme administrator know if you are absent for any reason. This is very important. Please refer to the Attendance Monitoring & Reporting Policy: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/student/about/regulations/index.html
4. Ensure that you do not undertake paid work during term time for more than 20 hours per week (or whatever is allowed by your visa if that states something different).

If you have any general queries about your visa ISSS is there to help, advise and support you. Please visit the team for support at a drop-in session.

IMPORTANT

If you submit your visa application AFTER your visa expires - you will be suspended from your studies until your new visa is granted. You will also no longer qualify for lower maintenance in line with Tier 4 Student Visa.

If your resubmit a visa application that was rejected as being invalid and your visa has expired, you will also be suspended from your studies until your new visa is granted.

It is strongly recommended your process your visa application through ISSS to minimise these kind of disruptions.

It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you adhere to the working conditions permitted on your visa, as well as all other conditions of your UK visa. If you would like to clarify your working allowance or have any other visa and immigration related questions, please contact isss@gcu.ac.uk

Nightline

Nightline is the only student support service open all night (Mon-Fri, 7pm till 7am). The service is completely confidential, non-judgemental, non-advisory, and we don’t ask for your name or tell you what to do – we will even call you back if your low in credit. So whether it’s a bit of information you need (taxi number, bus timetable, the answer to the pub quiz question!) or you would like to talk to someone (feeling down?) you can speak to nightline. Call on 0141-55-22-555.

Updated: 22 May, 2012 | International Student Support Service | Site Editor | Legal

Glasgow Post Office now open for Biometric Enrolment.

To see a full list of participating post offices in the UK click here.

Important - Immigration Fees

From 6th April 2012, UKBA are launching new immigration fees. This means there will be new application forms.

This also marks the closure of PSW visa.

Important Fee Changes for Tier 4:
- Tier 4 - Postal Main
NEW FEE £394
- Tier 4 - Postal All Dependants
NEW FEE £197
- Tier 4 - PEO Main
NEW FEE £716
- Tier 4 - PEO All Dependants NEW FEE £358

UKBA News Article: Click here