Certain nationalities who are subject to immigration control in the United Kingdom are required to register with their local police. There is often a misconception as to who, when, where and how someone moving to the UK goes about doing this, and what documents they need to provide.
Who has to register?
You are required to register with the police if the following applies to you: –
- You are older than 16 years of age;
- Your entry clearance (visa) is issued for 6 months or longer;
- You are in the UK and have switched your grant of leave to an immigration status which requires you to register; and
- You are a national of one of the following countries: –
Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen. (This list of countries is accurate at the time of writing, we would advise that you check the Home Office website at the time of applying/registering for the up-to-date list).
If are a dual national of a country that does require you to register and one that does not require you to register, you are exempt from registering with the police.
In addition the Home Office may require that you register if you are “stateless” or hold a non-national travel document.
If you are required to register with the police your entry clearance or leave to remain should state, “register with police”. If you have any concerns that your status does not specifically require you to register with the police but the above applies to you, you should seek professional advice.
Exemptions
You are not required to register with the police if you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR ) in the UK or if you are a family member of an EEA citizen.
The Home Office website lists the following exemptions if you’re visiting the UK on a temporary visa:
- As a seasonal agricultural worker;
- As a private servant in diplomatic household;
- As a minister of religion, missionary or a member of a religious order;
- If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a person settled in the UK, or the unmarried or same-sex partner of a settled person;
- As a person with access rights to a child resident in the UK; or
- As the parent of a child at school;
- If you are granted refugee status (asylum).
When and where do you register?
You are required to register with the police within 7 days of your first arrival to the UK; this is when you will be provided with a Police Registration Certificate.
If you are residing in the Metropolitan Police area in London you must initially register at the Overseas Visitors Records Office.
However, if you will be residing outside of this area you should register at your local police registration office, the details of which can be found at: http://www.police.uk/#search
It is important that you register any change of circumstances with the police, including: –
- Change of residential address – within 7 days of the change;
- Change of work address – within 8 days of the change;
- Change of school, college or university – within 8 days of the change.
Changes of circumstances can be registered by visiting the police station at which you were first registered and/or your local police registration office (if different).
Additionally, the following changes must be registered at the Overseas Visitors Records Office or the police station where you first registered, as opposed to at your local police station: –
- Change in name – within 8 days of the change;
- Change in nationality – within 8 days of the change;
- Updated passport/travel document – within 8 days of the change;
- Change in marital status – within 8 days of the change;
- If you are granted a new visa which required you to register/report to the police – within 7 days of the change.
What documentation do you need to provide when registering?
You will be required to take all of the following documentation when initially registering with the police: –
- Completed OVRO Registration Proforma – this can be found on the Overseas Visitor Records Office website
- Two identical passport sized photographs (photographs must be in colour, cut to size and stapled to the completed proforma prior to attending)
- Original passport
- Original Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable to you)
- A copy of the identity page from your passport
- A copy of the Visa page from your passport together with
- A copy of both sides of your Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable to you)
When registering a change with the police you will be required to present the following documentation:
- Original Police Registration Certificate
- Original passport
- Original Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable to you)
- All appropriate evidence of the change (for example the original marriage certificate and relevant Home Office letters when registering a new marital status).
Police Registration Certificate
Your Police Registration Certificate may be used as an official form of identification, however the Overseas Visitors Records Office advise that you do not carry this on your person at all times and that it is kept in a safe place. If a Police Officer asks that you present your Police Registration Certificate you should be given 48 hours to evidence the same at any police station.
Importance of Registering with the Police
If you are required to register with the police it is of high importance that you keep your Police Registration Certificate up to date by registering with the police within the guided time lines above, as this is a condition of your grant of leave in the UK. You should not be in breach of the conditions of your grant of leave as this can have a detrimental impact on any future immigration applications or your current status in the UK.
The above information is correct at the time of writing; we would advise that you check the Overseas Visitors Records Office or the Home Office webpage for up-to-date information.
If you have any queries in respect of Registering with the Police please contact our offices for further information.