Coronavirus (Covid-19): info for international students

If you have to leave the UK earlier than expected, for any reason, you must tell your education provider. It is very important that they know what you are doing. This not just because of their duties towards the Home Office - they also need to know whether you are well or need help in any way.

Impact on sponsorship

Your student sponsor should not report your departure to the Home Office if your reason for leaving is connected with Coronavirus (COVID-19) and you let them know that you intend to return to the UK to continue your study. See Covid-19: Guidance for Student sponsors, migrants and for Short-term students.

This means that you will be able to return to the UK to resume study, as long as you are able to travel back before any relevant deadlines.

If you think or know that your student sponsor has reported you to the Home Office, you can ask them in writing to withdraw the report. If they withdraw their report, you will be able to return to the UK on your existing immigration permission and so they will be acting in line with the latest Home Office guidance.

If your reason for leaving the UK early is not connected with the pandemic or you do not intend to return to the UK for study, you should expect your sponsor to withdraw sponsorship from you and your immigration permission will usually be cut short (curtailed) so do not attempt to re-enter the UK using your current permission.

Waiting for a decision on an immigration application

Try to avoid leaving before you receive a decision as you will usually be treated as withdrawing your application. This can make it difficult for you to return to the UK. Talk to an international student adviser at your institution before you leave the UK and/or contact the Home Office.

Biometric residence permits

When you apply in the UK, your BRP is sent directly to you. If you leave the UK after you were granted an extension but before you receive your biometric residence permit (BRP), you can ask your education provider or someone else who is still in the UK to forward it to you.

If the courier cannot deliver your BRP, the Home Office may cancel it. This means you will need to apply for a replacement BRP visa in order to re-enter the UK, followed by a new BRP once you are back in the UK - see Passport, visa and BRP problems. Ask your sponsor for information about what happened to your BRP. Alternatively, you can contact the Home Office.

Post offices and education providers hold entry clearance BRPs for a period of at least 90 days. If you will not be able to return to the UK during the validity of your visa in order to collect your BRP, you need to report this to the Home Office, along with information about when you intend to return to the UK, if you know: gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/collect. If you had arranged to collect your BRP from your education provider, make sure you let them know and ask them if they can keep it for you.

Refunds

Your immigration health surcharge will not be refunded if you choose to leave the UK and end your Student leave. You should check the terms of your education and accommodation contracts and ask the providers in case you can obtain a full or partial refund if you leave the UK earlier than planned. For information about this, and sources of help with negotiations, see our information on financial hardship and accommodation below.

Returning to the UK on existing immigration permission

You can enter the UK with your existing immigration permission, subject to any travel restrictions. This principle applies to Students, as well as to dependants and others. If you are a dependant, the student in your family must still have valid Student permission, whether they are inside or outside the UK.