Registration and immigration

This step is for all students and you can find more information on this process on the Once You’re Here page. 

Once you have completed all elements of your online enrolment and uploaded your immigration documents you can then collect your Campus Card. This will also be taking place in the Palmer Building.

(Please note this is for students who require a visa to study in the UK only) 
 
If you used the University's unique ACL code, the University should be confirmed as your BRP card collection location on the decision letter. If you did not use the University’s unique ACL code then your BRP must be collected from the Post Office which is confirmed on your decision letter. If you did not use the ACL code or request a specific Post Office, it will default to Northumberland Avenue post Office. When you collect your BRP, you will need to bring: 

• Your passport (with 30 day visa)
• The decision letter
• Your University applicant ID number

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, students cannot drop in to collect their BRP, you will need to book a collection appointment. When we receive your BRP you will receive an email advising you how to book a collection appointment. Please do not come in before you have booked an appointment. Please see the Biometric Residence Permit pages for further information.

You must register with the Police if it is stated on your visa or BRP (Non-EU students only), this is a legal requirement to do so.

You must register online within seven days of arriving in the UK if you applied for your visa from outside of the UK, or within seven days of receiving your Biometric Residence Permit if you applied to extend your visa from inside of the UK.

To do this, you need to visit the Thames Valley Police Foreign Nationals website and register an account online. Once you have created an account you need complete all sections of the online form and provide the following information:

• Personal details
• Contact details
• Family member’s details (if required)
• Study details
• Travel, Passport and Visa details
• You will need to attach a passport style photo showing a close-up of your head and shoulders.

You will need to complete the form in one sitting; you cannot save and return to a partially completed form. You should have all your information available as the session will time out if not completed within 20 minutes. After you submit the form, you will need to choose an available appointment at any police station in the Thames Valley area. Appointments get very booked up at this time of year, so if there are no available appointments at the two Reading stations, you can either select a different town from the list or check the next day for further appointment releases. Whilst the online registration should be done within 7 days, attending of the appointment does not and should be at the soonest availability.

When you attend your appointment you will need to take:

• Your current passport
• Your Biometric Residence Permit or your vignette (sticker in your passport)
• The Home Office letter that approved your application for leave (if you have one)
• Current fee of £34.00 in exact cash, not card (this may change)
• Confirmation of enrolment letter containing your UK address (you can download this from the student portal or obtain one from your Support Centre. PhD students will need to obtain a letter from the Doctoral Research Office.)

At your appointment you will be issued with a Police Registration Certificate (PRC).

Police Stations in Reading:
o Town Centre Police Station, Castle Street, Reading. (Open 08:00-22:00).
o Lodden Valley Police Station, Rushey Way, Earley, RG6 4PS. (Open 08:00-22:00).

Please note: If you change your address or course during your stay in the UK or extend your visa, you should notify the police so that the change can be listed on your registration certificate. There is no charge for renewal. Keep your registration certificate safe; you will need it when you renew your visa. You must also carry your certificate with your passport when you travel as proof that you have registered.

Further information on Police registration.

(Please note this is for students who are non UK/EU passport holders) 
 
As part of the UK Visas and Immigration requirements and the Points Based visa system, the University has a duty to take a copy of your passport and Biometric Residence Permit or United Kingdom immigration status document for our records. 
 
As part of the online enrolment, you will be required to upload a good quality copy of photograph of your documents. These will then be checked before you are permitted to proceed with your online enrolment. You may be asked to show these when you come to collect your Campus Card, so please ensure you bring the originals of these documents with you. The documents copies will be retained as part of your student record.  

Please note: You will not be able to complete the enrolment process until you have had your document(s) uploaded and checked.

If you need to open a bank account or register with the police, you will be required to have a letter of enrolment from the university. These can be printed from your self-service RISIS portal. During Welcome Week you can use the computers in Palmer building or the library to log into the RISIS Web Portal, download and print out the letter. 
 
These letters need to include your home address (in your home country) and your current contact address in the UK. You need to check this is correct before printing a letter. 
 
Please note: Be aware that once you have registered in university accommodation it can take up to 24 hours for your new contact information to be updated in RISIS. This means that you may need to wait a day before printing a letter. 
 
If you live in private accommodation, then you will need to update your details on the web portal with your new address before printing the letter. 
 
When printing letters to open a bank account, you will need to select the bank from the list. The reason is that for a bank to accept the letter it needs to be addressed to the specific bank. A list of the banks in Reading that accept this letter can be found in the link below. If you require a different bank that may be in London, such as the Bank of China, then you need to go the International Information Desk so the staff can help you with this letter. 
 
See our essentials pages for more information on opening a bank account or for a list of banks in the local area. 
 
Study Abroad Programme students: You must report to the Study Abroad Programme Welcome Desk. Find out more about study abroad.