Student document check (right to study)

As part of your registration, you will be told whether you need to present your documents to finalise your registration. Your online student record will also let you know if you need to complete a document check.

If you are required to, but do not complete this step, you will not be able to register for your course of study.

We are required to check that the information you provide meets UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements and ensure that you have the right to study in the UK.

This check is based on the nationality listed in your application and student record. It is not based on your fee status, so you may be required to attend a check even if you are a UK resident and pay home fees.

Students who must attend a student document check

You will need to have your documents checked if you:

• are a new student or enrolling on a new course and your nationality is subject to immigration control
• are returning to the University after a suspension and your nationality is subject to immigration control
• are a returning student and were not able to travel to the UK last year
• have a new Student visa for any other reason
• do not have a nationality listed on your student record.

How to complete your student document check

On-campus pre-sessional students 

1. Complete the registration steps outlined in our email to you. 
2. You will then be guided through the student document check as part of your induction. 

All other students

1. Confirm your registration details
2. Book an appointment to have your documents checked at Senate House. 

UCard collection 

You can collect your UCard from card services. 

If you are an on-campus pre-sessional student, you will be guided through collecting and activating your UCard as part of your induction.

Late registration 

If you have passed your registration deadline please do not book an appointment as we will not be able to pass your document check.

What to bring

You must bring these to your appointment:

• passport.
• share code. To get this, you will need a UKVI account. Select 'another reason' as your reason for getting a share code. Your code must start with 'S'. 

You should bring these documents if you have them:

• flight details of when you first arrived in the UK on a Student visa. For example, a flight ticket or boarding pass. 
• email from UKVI confirming your Student visa application.
• evidence of your new visa application. For example, a visa application form or a visa application receipt.
• email from UKVI confirming your visa application outcome/decision

Your documents must be original. We do not accept scans or photocopies.

We store copies of your documents as part of our sponsor duties.

If you are a visitor

You still need to come to an in-person check, even if you:

• travelled through eGates
• have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
• do not have a physical visa.

Bring your flight tickets and passport.

Further advice

Questions about the student document check (right to study) should be sent to student-visas@bristol.ac.uk.

More information about student visas.