Staff resources – visa advice
Staff should be aware that immigration advice in the UK is regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioners (OISC).
Publicly fund institutions are exempt from registration from the OISC on condition that only named advisers give immigration advice within their competency level.
The student immigration advisers at Newcastle University are Tracey Baxter, Ross Patterson and Hena Mookerji. They are based in the King’s Gate building and they are available on extension 7133.
No other members of staff at Newcastle University are permitted to advise students on student immigration issues.
Details of the services provided by the Visa Team are available at:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/progress/visa/
The Visa Team can also assist staff with any queries they might have relating to student visas and the university’s responsibilities as a Tier 4 licence holder.
Tier 4 licence holders responsibilities
Newcastle University is a Tier 4 general licence holder.
Under the terms of this licence, the university is permitted to sponsor non-EEA students for full-time study.
The license carries with it certain obligations. These include:
- Effective attendance monitoring systems
- Reporting no-shows, unauthorised absences and withdrawals to UKBA
- Reporting breaches of student visa conditions to UKBA (such as exceeding part-time work restrictions)
- Ensuring that the Tier 4 license holder maintains updated copies of student visas and passports
If staff have any concerns connected with the above requirements, they should contact the Visa Team (7133) or Jonathan Gray (3423) in the first instance.
Which visa?
It is essential that anyone coming to the UK to work or study with Newcastle University has a visa which is appropriate for their purpose in the UK.
Please see the linked flowcharts for an overview of the most common immigration routes for visiting staff and students. Queries on student visas should be directed to the Visa Team. All staff enquiries should be directed to HR.
Please see here for an overview of the student immigration rules as provided by UKCISA.
