Visa FAQs

You are allowed to bring your family to the UK with you if your course is a postgraduate course lasting 9 months of more or if you are a government sponsored student taking a course of more than 6 months long. Doctorate Extension Scheme applicants can also bring family members. Family members are called “dependants”.

A dependant is either: 

• your husband, wife or civil partner
• your unmarried or same-sex partner
• your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

To find out about the eligibility, maintenance & documentary evidence criteria, please visit these useful websites:

• PBS dependant policy guidance
• UKCISA 

The new Graduate Route visa was launched on 1st July 2021. This route is for Student Route visa holders who want to work, or look for work, following the successful completion of an eligible course of study at the University of Chichester.

This unsponsored route will allow successful applicants to stay in the UK for up to 2 years (undergraduate and postgraduate graduates) or 3 years (PhD graduates).

For more information, please visit our Post-study work visa section.

If your friend or relative is a non-UK/Irish national, they will need to enter the UK under the Visitor route.

Some nationalities can enter the UK without applying for a visa in advance, but other nationalities have to apply for a Visitor visa before leaving home (these national are called ‘Visa Nationals’). You can check which category they belong to by visiting https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa 

Please visit the International Student Advisory Service Moodle page for more information on the requirements and the evidence may need from the University.

It is not normally possible to study on apart-time degree on a Student Route visa. However, there is an exception for postgraduate students.

The University of Chichester is listed as Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance in the Register of Tier 4 Sponsor. This allows us to sponsor part-time postgraduate study (RQF level 7 and above).

This part-time option comes with the following restrictions:

• No work
• No work placement
• No dependants (family members)

You will need to meet the usual General Student Visa (Tier 4) eligibility criteria and submit your visa applications inside or outside the UK as outlined in the Visas & Immigration section on our website. The information relating to your part-time study is stated on your CAS and your NHS surcharge fees will be calculated based on the length of your leave.

The general requirement under the Immigration Rules for certain foreign nationals to register with the police (the “Police Registration Scheme”) has ceased. 

This means that the relevant foreign nationals of specified nationalities, aged 16 or over, usually granted more than six months’ leave in certain migration categories are no longer obliged to register with the police. 

This change applies to those who have already registered with the Police and who have a condition to register with the police listed as part of their leave to enter or remain in the UK. They will also no longer be required to communicate any updated personal details to the police. 

Those who have been issued with a visa with the requirement to register but who are yet to travel, will have their visa reissued where possible or be notified of the changes in advance of travel. 

For those who have travelled with the requirement in place, should they attend a local police registration office, they will be advised of the changes accordingly. 

If you are a non- EEA national and wish to visit other European countries while you are a student in the UK, you may need to apply for a “Schengen” visa. Please see our Schengen visa information document for more information on the process and how to request a letter to support your visa application.