We get asked a lot of questions, so we have tried to collate the most common queries here for you. If the information on our pages do not resolve your enquiry, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Common visa queries
Sadly it is normal to not have any updates on your application once submitted. The only notification you will receive will be when a decision is made, or if there are missing documents.
We have a limited ability to contact the Home Office regarding applications if their standard service level agreement (SLA) has been exceeded, but it is usually only to ensure that the application was received properly.
If you have questions regarding an outstanding application, please contact us and we will advise you.
No, unfortunately we are not able to issue any letters confirming work rights.
If you are having problems with an employer, you need to show them your BRP card as this demonstrates a right to work (where applicable).
If an employer is continuing to request further evidence, please contact us for advice.
Please refer to our webpages on common BRP issues.
Please refer to our webpages on visas after your studies.
The College will undertake the same procedure in this situation for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.
If you have a visa that covers the placement year, but you either choose to not undertake it or cannot find a placement, your visa will be initially unaffected.
At the end of your course, the College will report to the Home Office that you have completed 1 year earlier than originally intended. This will then trigger the Home Office to 'curtail' your Tier 4/Student visa.
Once curtailed, the Home Office will then contact you with your new visa expiry date. This will usually mean your visa will end 1 year sooner than it was originally issued for.
There are important rules about travelling out of the UK once a visa has been curtailed. If you think you may need to leave the UK and re-enter after your visa has been curtailed, please contact us for advice.
Covid-19 and my visa
If you are overseas and unable to travel to the UK, your 90 day entry clearance vignette (sticker in your passport) may expire before you are able to reach the UK.
If your entry clearance vignette expires, you must not travel to the UK until you obtain a new one. Applying for a new vignette is not applying for an entirely new visa, you are just requesting longer to arrive in the UK.
You must apply online through this link.
If you are unable to return to your home country and your visa is due to expire, you should apply for exceptional assurance.
Exceptional assurance is not a grant of leave, but it is designed to protect you against negative consequences of overstaying your visa in the UK.
Details on exceptional assurance can be on the government's website regarding Covid-19 concessions for visa holders.
US Federal Loans
As we are a foreign school, we do not automatically receive an update telling us that a FAFSA was submitted for Royal Holloway, therefore we often rely on you letting us know that you are intending to study with us so that we can begin processing your loan request.
As soon as you have submitted your FAFSA, please get in touch with us by emailing your full name, your Student ID Number, and the course that you have applied for to usloans@rhul.ac.uk.
If you are applying to borrow loans at the value of, or greater than, the total tuition fee for your programme (or your first academic year at Undergraduate level) then you may be eligible to receive a deposit waiver.
Please contact usloans@rhul.ac.uk for further details.
General queries
We are happy to help with any enquiry you may have, although in some instances we will refer you out to more suitable teams and resources.
As a general rule, if your query is academic in nature we would recommend speaking with your Department or School before coming to us. We will usually then be contacted if there are non-academic implications to your enquiry.
We don't recommend any particular bank or bank account as each individual student is likely to want something different from their account.
There are some high street banks in Egham and the surrounding areas and there are also online banks that you may consider.
We also have details on banking in the UK on our website pages: https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/students/money/opening-a-student-bank-account.aspx
We do not provide any recommendations for immigration advisers/solicitors/firms as we cannot vouch for their conduct, approach, pricing etc. Much like banks, an individual student is also likely to want something specific when choosing someone to represent them.
If you are seeking independent immigration advice however, please ensure that any immigration adviser you choose is properly regulated by the OISC, and that any solicitor/lawyer/law firm is a member of ILPA or is listed as regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
If you are working, or planning to work in the UK then you will need a national insurance number.
To begin the application process, you must complete the online application here. For further help and guidance on the application, call the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 141 2079.
You may be required to attend an appointment during the application process to present physical copies of formal identification.