Frequently Asked Questions
If you are uncertain about anything or you have a query, then our frequently asked questions (FAQs) page may have the answer.
Visa drop-in service
The VISAS Team drop-in service is usually held every week at the following times:
Tuesday 9:00 - 10:30
Wednesday 13:00 - 14:30
Thursday 9:00 - 10:30
Week commencing Monday 30th September
Tuesday 1st No Drop in
Wednesday 2nd Limited to 15, arrive early to avoid disappointment
Thursday 3rd No Drop in
You will find us in the visa waiting area opposite the main reception desk in the Student Services Centre entrance to Building 37 on the Highfield Campus.
Booking is not required. However, we recommend that you arrive early because we are only able to see a limited number of people. You may have to attend a later drop-in service if there are already too many people waiting. We will give you a ticket with a number when you arrive to ensure that people are seen in order of arrival.
The drop-in service is aimed at students who have a quick question about their visa or immigration status for studying in the UK. For more complicated questions, we may ask you to book a visa advice appointment.
Visa advice appointments
Before you book a visa advice appointment, we strongly encourage you to visit the visa drop-in service. At the drop-in service, a Visa Advisor may be able to answer your question quickly or give you important information about what to bring to your visa advice appointment.
To book a visa advice appointment, please visit the Student Services Centre in person at building 37, Highfield Campus, or call +44 (0)23 8059 9599. After you have booked your appointment, you will receive an email to confirm the date and time.
Most appointments are face-to-face but we can arrange for a phone appointment with a Visa Advisor if this is more convenient for you. Please explain if you would like a phone appointment when you book.
When you attend your appointment, please wait in the visa waiting area by the main reception desk in the Student Services Centre, building 37, Highfield Campus. Please arrive 5 minutes before your appointment.
If you are submitting a visa application, please bring the following documents:
- Passport
- 2 passport photographs (follow the UKVI guidance)
- A printed copy of your CAS statement email
- Evidence of documents used to obtain offer as stated on your CAS, including your English language qualification, if applicable
- Evidence that you have enough money for tuition fees and living costs
- Your Police Registration Certificate, if applicable
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card, if applicable
- ATAS certificate, if applicable
- Proof that you have successfully completed the course for which your most recent CAS was issued, if applicable
Visa compliance appointments
Visa compliance appointments are an opportunity to ensure that you are registered properly with the University and have all of the information needed to fulfil the responsibilities of your visa.
If you need to register a new visa or passport with the University, or if you have changed your personal details, you should book a visa compliance appointment. You can book a visa compliance appointment through the VISAS Team.
Sometimes the VISAS Team may invite you to attend a compliance appointment and we will send you the date and time of your appointment directly.
To book a visa compliance appointment in-person, please visit: SAA Registry Office, room 2035, building 37, Highfield Campus. To book an appointment by phone, please call +44 (0)2380 598181.
The location of all visa compliance appointments is the SAA Registry Office, room 2035, building 37, Highfield Campus. Please enter through the Student Services Centre and follow the orange signs for SAA Registry.
You can find more information about what will happen at your appointment and what you need to bring with you to the appointment in the table, below.
| Type of appointment | What will happen and what you will need to bring to your appointment |
|
New student Tier 4 registration |
At your appointment we will:
You will therefore need to bring with you:
Please note that you will not be able to enrol or attend classes at the University of Southampton if you do not have a valid visa for this institution. You must register with us before starting your programme or undertake any study or research or attend any classes or seminars. To enrol you must have a current UK term time address for whilst you are studying here and the name, address and telephone number of someone to contact in an emergency. This could be a spouse, relative or friend in any country. |
|
New student non Tier 4 registration |
At your appointment we will:
You will therefore need to bring with you:
Please note that you will not be able to enrol or attend classes at the University of Southampton if you do not have a valid visa for this institution. You must register with us before starting your programme or undertake any study or research or attend any classes or seminars. To enrol you must have a current UK term time address for whilst you are studying here and the name, address and telephone number of someone to contact in an emergency. This could be a spouse, relative or friend in any country. |
|
Continuing student registration |
We will check and scan your new passport/visa. You must bring with you:
|
|
Compliance appointment |
Unless specified at the time that you made your appointment you do not need to bring any particular documentation with you. |
Useful Links
Visa drop-in and appointments
You can talk to one of our visa advisors by coming to a visa drop-in session, or you can book an appointment for an in-depth discussion.
Enquiry Form
You can contact us through our online enquiry form. We strongly encourage people to contact us through the online enquiry form rather than emailing us directly.