Travel and Entry to the UK
Please also read the GOV guidance on visiting the UK after BrexitLink opens in a new window and GOV guidance on travelling to the UK from 1 January 2021Link opens in a new window.
Congratulations, you are ready to embark on your new course!
You should now read the information on our Welcome to WarwickLink opens in a new window website which will guide you - from preparing your trip to the UK to the first few weeks into your course. You can book airport pick up as well.
We also have comprehensive guidance specifically aimed at international students.Link opens in a new window
If you are arriving in the autumn term (September/October), our Welcome WeekLink opens in a new window can be a perfect way to introduce yourself to life in the UK: it provides bookable sessions for your first week in the UK and gives you the opportunity to discover UK learning styles, the local area, and to meet new friends from across the world.
If you do not hold a British Passport, then you will be required to pass the 'right to study'Link opens in a new window check.
Section 6: What can I carry in my hand luggage when travelling to the UK after receiving my student visa for the intended course?
- Your passport and visa
- usually your visa will be in your passport
- if you have been granted a digital status (EU nationals), keep the immigration status on hand or saved on a device
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (if you already have one)
- 'Decision Letter' from the Home Office confirming the grant of your visa (and where to collect your BRP card, if applicable)
- Evidence of accommodation (if available)
Once you arrive in the UK, remember to take out your passport and visa ready to go through immigration.
Answer any questions honestly if the Border official asks, and present any supporting documents when requested.
Before leaving the window, please remember to check that an Immigration StampLink opens in a new window has been placed on your passport.
This is very important because you will not be permitted to enrol if your visa is not activated by an immigration stamp.
Click here for more informationLink opens in a new window
If you have travelled through an eGate, you will not receive an entry stamp.
Make sure that you keep a copy of your boarding pass or travel ticket as evidence of entry, especially if it is your first trip to the UK using your current visa.
Section 8: Can I travel to the UK with a student visa linked to a previous course that I recently completed at the University of Warwick?
Please be aware that it is risky to enter the UK in order to take up a course of study at the University of Warwick with a Student visa which is associated to a course you have recently completed, whether at Warwick or not, even if the date of the visa is valid.
You will not have permission to enrol until you have submitted a Student visa application using a Warwick CAS and even if you are permitted entry to the UK, it does not mean that you will be eligible to make a new Student visa application from within the UK.
You should first check your eligibility for making a Student Visa application in the UKLink opens in a new window.
A Student visa application made outside of the UK is usually processed faster (on average 3 weeks processing time outside the UK, as against 8 weeks in the UK) and cheaper.
Where possible, you should apply for a new Student visa with a University of Warwick CAS number for the correct course before travelling to the UK.
If you currently hold a valid Student visa linked to a previous course of study, and do not have sufficient time to apply for a Student visa using a Warwick CAS from your home country to start a new course with us, your options are:
1) Check whether there is a 'user pay service' available in your home country.
In many countries the VFS.GlobalLink opens in a new window offers a fast-track visa application service (priority service/ super priority service) so that an application is decided within 5 or 1 working days (from the date you attend the appointment to the date of decision; you should add another 2-3 days before you can collect your passport/documents).
If you decide to do so, make sure that you pay the additional charge and use this service.
2) If your only option is to return to the UK with your current valid Tier 4/Student visa and apply for a Warwick Student visa in the UK before your course start date/latest start date (you will be permitted to start the course as soon as your visa application has been submitted), you will firstly need to check whether you are eligible to make a Student visa application from within the UK.
You will need to be aware of the risk as explained above and should bring all the evidence in your hand luggage to mitigate the risk.
You should carry a print-out of your CAS, evidence of accommodation (whether temporary or long-term) as well as documents required for a visa extension (academic qualification, translations, financial documents, police registration certificate etc.) in your hand luggage.
You should be prepared to be questioned on entry to the UK and should be ready to answer any questions associated with your intention of returning to the UK to pursue a further course of study.
Please also try to arrive in the UK between 9am - 5pm so that the Border Force can contact the 'named contact person' in the University if they want to seek verification.
Please note that due to the risks associated with this option, you should use this option only after all other options are exhausted.
Section 9: I applied for a student visa but was given an Entry Clearance visa valid for 30 or 90 days, Why?
The 30/90 day vignette is only issued for you to travel to the UK. The full visa will be the BRP (Biometrics Residence Permit)Link opens in a new window
When you receive your BRP, make sure that you check that all your personal details (spelling of your name, date of birth etc.), work permission condition and the length of your visa are correct before leaving the collection point.
If you used an ACL code in your visa application form so that the BRP is delivered to the University's student immigration office then we will contact you with collection details when the UKVI hace posted your BRP to us. If we have not conacted you, then most likely the UKVI have not posted your BRP yet. Please be aware that the UKVI takes longer than the time mentioned on the website. In some instances the BRP can even take up to a month to be delivered to the University.
Always check your visa application form to check where the BRP will be posted. The University has different offices and unless you have used the ACL code, we will not get your BRP.
Section 10: Can I enter the UK before the start date (or 'issue' date) of my student visa (including the 30/90 day) visa?
No. It will not be possible to activate your Student visa before the start date or valid from date of the visa (the visa must be stamped by an immigration official in order to be activated).
If you enter the UK under a different visa category (for example, if you are a non-visa national and have been 'stamped-in' at the port of entry as a visitor), you will need to leave the common travel area and re-enter in order for your Student visa to be activated.
Please note that if you enter the UK via The Republic of Ireland your visa will not be stamped and, therefore, the University will not have sufficient evidence to prove that your visa has been activated. In this case, you are advised to retain your travel ticket / boarding pass or other proof of the date of your entry so that you are in a position to demonstrate that you have not entered illegally.
The 30 or 90-day vignette is a multiple travel visa, hence if you have plans such as: you are coming to the UK first and then travelling overseas for a few days and then want to re-enter the UK (without having a BRP), you will be able to re-enter the UK as long as you re-enter within the travel visa valid until date.
If you have travel plans which will take the UK re-entering date beyond the travel visa expiry date, then please collect your BRP first.
If you cannot collect your BRP then please do not travel as the UKVI will not let you enter the UK after the travel visa expires.
No. If you have not received a decision about your visa application after the 'latest course start date' on your CAS, your visa application will be refused as the Home Office will presume that you have missed the latest start date to join your course.
Once the 'latest course start date' on your CAS is passed, if you have not fully enrolled (completed the online registration and cleared immigration document check) you will not be able to join the course in this academic year and you should explore your options regarding deferral or taking a period of temporary withdrawal (if you have already started the course).
Please note that if you receive your Student visa and you travel to the UK after the 'latest course start date' as stated on your CAS, it is highly likely that you will not be permitted to enter by immigration officials.
Even if you manage to enter the UK, the University may not permit you to continue with your course once your 'latest course start date' has passed.