Duties and Responsibilities under Tier 4 of the Points Based Visa System

The University of Reading is a Highly Trusted Sponsor under Tier 4 of the Points Based Visa System, the University has certain duties and responsibilities that we have to undertake. The University takes its position seriously and wants to ensure that we work together in order that we can meet our responsibilities but also that you meet your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa.

In order to fulfil our duties we will ask you for certain pieces of information during enrolment. We may also contact you during your studies if we need further information or if your circumstances change.

For your responsibilities you will be expected to:

• Provide the University with the originals of your passport and visa documentation/Biometric Residence Permit in order that copies can be taken.
• Keep your UK contact details up to date via the RISIS web portal.
• Re-enrol for your course on time each academic year if applicable.
• Study whilst you are in the UK (ensuring that you meet the progression and attendance requirements of your course with no significant gaps or absences).
• Follow University processes if you wish to defer or suspend your studies or withdraw from your course. (You are strongly advised to consult the RUSU Student Advice Centre team for advice on how such changes would affect your current immigration status).
• Ensure that you abide by the terms and conditions as laid down in the immigration rules for your particular visa.
• Ensure that you continue to retain a valid visa by extending or applying for a new visa before your current visa expires; and that you present your new visa to the University so that a copy can be taken.

For our duties and responsibilities the University is required by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to:

• Ensure that you have the correct visa to study at the University of Reading on your chosen course.
• Not allow you to enrol if you do not have the correct documentation to study here.
• Keep copies of your visa documentation and passport (including when you extend your visa).
• Keep up to date contact details for you.
• Report to the UKBA if you do not enrol on your course.
• Monitor your attendance and progression and report to the UKBA if you do not attend or progress from one part of your course to the next.
• Notify the UKBA of any changes to your status. For example if you suspend your studies or withdraw from your course, if you change course whilst at Reading, or finish your course earlier than expected.
• Report to the UKBA if we suspect that you are breaking the terms and conditions of your visa.

By working together we can try to ensure that your studies are unaffected by any visa related problems.

If you want to talk to an immigration advisor in confidence please go to the RUSU Student Advice Centre in the Hub in the RUSU Students' Union Building, Whiteknights campus. RUSU is the only organisation on campus that can offer immigration advice. The Students' Union (RUSU) does not have the same responsibilities as the University and can provide impartial and confidential advice.