The stamp or the visa sticker in your passport will state if you need to register with the police.
You are only required to register with the police if you are from one of the following countries and have received an endorsement on your visa (your entry visa vignette stamp or sticker in your passport), on your Decision Letter (if you applied from overseas) or in your Decision Email (if you applied in the UK) from the Home Office instructing you to register:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia or Azerbaijan;
- Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia or Brazil;
- China*, Colombia or Cuba;
- Egypt;
- Georgia;
- Iran, Iraq or Israel;
- Jordan;
- Kazakhstan, Kuwait or Kyrgyzstan;
- Lebanon or Libya;
- Moldova or Morocco;
- North Korea;
- Oman;
- Palestine or Peru;
- Qatar;
- Russia;
- Saudi Arabia, Sudan or Syria;
- Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey or Turkmenistan;
- United Arab Emirates, Ukraine or Uzbekistan;
- Yemen.
*Please note: a person who holds a passport issued by the Special Administrative Region of either Hong Kong or Macao is classed as a Chinese national and needs to register.
Some 30-day or 90-day entry visa vignette stamps in the passport require you to register with the police. If this is the case it will be written on the visa. It may say:
- ‘Pol Reg' or
- ‘Police Registration' or
- ‘Register with Police in seven days of UK entry'
If you are uncertain of whether or not you need to register, check your passport and the vignette visa which should clearly state if you need to register with the police.
The requirement should also be included in your Decision Letter or Decision Email.
You will need to attend your appointment in person at the Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) during office hours.
Make sure you take the following documents with you:
- Passport(s)
- Biometric Residence Permit (also known as BRP)
- Home Office visa approval letter (Decision Letter) showing requirement to register (If BRP applied in the UK)
- Proof of address in London, for example a tenancy agreement or letter of confirmation from your sponsor.
- Proof of work or study details (confirmation letter from educational sponsor/CAS or employment contract)
- £34 registration fee – They don't accept cash so please ensure you bring a credit /debit card or mobile payment.
- Details of your online booking confirmation on your phone or printout.
Please ensure you have all your documents and payment method ready before you see the Registration Officer as this will save time.
Please note: all students registering with the police will pass through a security check on arrival at the OVRO. You must not carry any sharp objects and you should bring only essential items with you.
Once you have registered with the police, you will be issued with a Police Registration Certificate.
You should keep this in a safe place with your passport.
You must report the following changes to the Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) within 7 days by accessing your online account and following the instructions:
- change of address
- change of college/university/course
- change of occupation
- change in marital status
- new landing conditions (re-entry visa)
- new visa details (leave to remain visa)
- new passport details
