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20 Apr Do I need to register with the police?

Posted on April 20, 2020 in Investing in the UK by
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Some migrants will need to register with the police, depending on the type of visa granted. Failure to register means that you may be prevented from applying for a new visa in the future or your leave may be shortened.

How do I know If I need to register?

You will usually need to register if you are:

  • Aged 16 or over;
  • Your nationality requires you to register;
  • You are not exempt from registering;
  • Your visa is longer than 6 months

 

You are exempt from registering if you are one of the following:

  • a seasonal agricultural worker;
  • a  private servant in a diplomatic household;
  • a minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order ;
  • the partner (spouse, fiancé(e), civil or unmarried partner) of a person settled in the UK;
  • a person with access rights to a child resident in the UK;
  • the parent of a child at school;
  • someone who’s been given asylum

 

I applied for a visa from outside of the UK

If you have applied for a visa from outside the UK, you will need to check the vignette in your passport which will clearly show ‘police registration’ or ‘register with the police within 7 days of entry.’ This means that you must register with the police.

I applied for a visa from inside the UK

If you applied from inside of the UK, your UKVI Approval letter will confirm as to whether you need to register with the police.

How do I register?

If you need to register, you must go to the police within 7 days of:

  • your arrival to the UK (if you applied for a visa from outside the UK);
  • getting your biometric residence permit if you applied for an extension of leave from within the UK

 

You will need attend your local police station if you live outside of London. Or attend the Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) if you live in London.

If you are registering via OVRO, you will need to book an online appointment within 7 days of your arrival to the UK.

You will need to complete the online registration pro forma and pay a fee of £34. You will also need to bring the following:

  • 2 recent passport size colour photographs
  • your original current passport with the vignette
  • UKVI Approval letter, if you applied from inside the UK
  • BRP card (if you have one)

 

Once you have registered, you will receive a Police Registration certificate that you must keep with you in case you extend your visa or your personal details change.

COVID 19 update

Please note that due to COVID-19, OVRO is currently closed and therefore no migrants will be penalised if they have been unable to book an appointment within 7 days of their arrival to the UK as a result.

Those with existing appointments which have been cancelled, will be contacted by OVRO to have them re-scheduled.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.