• If you leave/have left the UK during the 60-day period, it is highly likely that your remaining visa will lapse and you will also need to apply for a new visa before travelling back to the UK. If the curtailment is processed by the UKVI promptly, your visa will no longer be valid to enter the UK, even if the 60-day period has not yet expired.
• As a suspension of more than 60 days will require you to study over a longer period in order to complete your course, please be aware of the UKVI restrictions on how long you can study in the UK. Any time on suspension will count towards your maximum study time unless your visa has been curtailed promptly. We recommend you keep travel documentation in case you need to provide evidence you have been outside the UK while on suspension.
• Unfortunately the UKVI will not refund the remainder of the Immigration Health Surcharge to compensate you for any cancelled visa period. You will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, as well as the visa application fee, again when you apply for a new visa to return. The calculation will run from the new visa start date until the new visa expiry date. 
• Following the visa curtailment, your right to work in the UK will cease after your adjusted visa expiry date. If you were to undertake any work while you have no right to work in the UK, you would be in breach of UK immigration law, which could have serious legal implications. Your employer could also be prosecuted.

If you suspend your studies for a period of up to 60 days you will not usually need to leave the UK, provided you will be able to complete your course within your existing visa time. This can unfortunately reduce the amount of wrap-up time you will have left after your studies, which in turn can affect the Graduate Route visa eligibility as your Student visa needs to be valid when your degree gets awarded at the exam board. Please note that it is not possible to extend your Student visa just to wait for your results and the exam board. 

If your suspension means that a supplementary year would be required or your course end date is extended past your visa validity, your Student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn even if the suspension is no longer than 60 days. You will need to either leave the UK or obtain a new visa in a different category (subject to eligibility). 

Should you not return to studies after 60 days of absence, your Student visa sponsorship is likely to be withdrawn. Please note that 60-day maximum includes both any formal suspension you take and any absence from study immediately prior to starting the suspension. 

If you are requesting a short suspension after having previously taken one on your current visa, you should speak to a Student Visa Adviser before proceeding. This is because a further change in your course end date may affect your visa situation, and ATAS conditions (if applicable).

Suspensions that are processed as ‘emergency suspensions’ under the University’s Fitness to Study Policy and Procedure (section 6)  can affect your immigration status as a Student visa student, please see general information regarding suspensions on this webpage.  We would also encourage you to seek advice from the Student Visa Advisers for specific advice relating to your situation and with any questions you may have at this time so that we can support and guide you. Those on emergency suspension may be contacted directly by Student Visas to ensure that they are aware of the affect of a suspension on their Student visa.  Given that those on emergency suspensions can include students who are unable to seek visa advice, for example those who are severely unwell or detained under the Mental Health Act, advice may be given to colleagues within the University, including the Secretary's Office, to support students at this time.  

There is no separate provision in the Immigration Rules and guidance to cover parental leave, so the same rules as above apply. In the case of students sponsored by the University under UKVI Student visa, suspension as a result of parental leave may require the University to withdraw sponsorship and for the student to return to their home country for the duration of the leave should the suspension exceed 60 days. 

In such cases, students will thereafter need to apply to the University for a new CAS number to apply for a new visa to resume their studies. All requests for parental leave must be made in good time to permit time for approval of the request and to ensure travel home can be made following the report of the suspension to the UKVI. In all cases, advice should be sought from a Student Visa Adviser as early as possible (especially in the case of a pregnancy) to ensure compliance with the Student visa can be maintained.

Getting your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)

When you have agreed a date to return to study, with your faculty/school, you should email the Student Visa Advisers to get visa advice and request a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) request form. Student Visas can help determine whether you are eligible for a visa to continue your studies by checking:

• You do not exceed the UKVI restrictions on how long you can study in the UK. Any time on suspension will count towards your maximum study time unless your visa has been curtailed (cancelled) promptly. We recommend you keep travel documentation in case you need to provide evidence you have been outside the UK while on suspension.
• You can meet the financial requirements for a successful visa application.
• If you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for your subject. 

If the suspension was on medical grounds, we will not be able to issue a CAS until your return to study has received academic approval by your Faculty who will review your medical evidence and determine that are fit to return. If your continued study is still to be approved by Faculty Progress Board at the point of you requesting the CAS, any visa application you then make will be at your own risk. A CAS or a visa granted can be withdrawn if you do not progress as expected. Your faculty office will be able to tell you if your continued study needs to be approved by Faculty Progress Board.

Applying for your visa

You should begin preparing your documents for your visa application in advance of receiving your CAS, in particular the financial evidence. You are welcome to contact Student Visa Advisers if anything is unclear. 

When you have your CAS you can then apply for your new Student visa.

If you are a Student visa holder, please read the information under the dropdowns above. If you hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will need to ensure that you either continue holding a permission under the EUSS when you return to studies or that you have obtained a Student visa. As your study would be interrupted, you should be subject to student document checks (right to study) upon return. 

The details of the Student visa requirements can be found here. UKCISA have a detailed webpage that covers the EU Settlement Scheme and absences from the UK - please not that Student Visas are unable to advise on this. If you need to switch to the Student route please contact student-visa-advice@bristol.ac.uk for advice and to request a CAS 3 months before you return from suspension.