Authorised absence and impact on Student Visa for postgraduate research students (PGR)

As a PhD student, when you enter ‘thesis awaited’ status you may choose to do your writing up overseas. If you decide to do this, you will need to request an authorised absence and the University will need to withdraw immigration sponsorship. This is because whilst you are overseas the University will not be able to monitor your academic engagement in line with its Student Sponsor Duties.

Holiday

You must request authorised absence for every period of holiday you take. The standard University vacation periods do not apply to you; instead, you are permitted to take a maximum of eight weeks holiday per academic year. The academic year for PGRs starts on 1 October and ends on 30 September the following year).

Fieldwork

Whilst you are a ‘normally registered’ student, as part of your research you may need to undertake fieldwork at a location away from the University. If you do this, you must submit an authorised absence request. We will inform the Home Office that you have temporarily changed your study location; this will not affect your visa. Please be aware that authorised absence for the purpose of fieldwork cannot be taken whilst you are in thesis awaited status (writing up your thesis).

Authorised absence and the impact on your Student visa

Please carefully consider the information below if you are considering writing up your thesis from overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write up my thesis overseas during the ‘thesis awaited’ period?

Yes, but you must request an authorised absence, and the University will withdraw immigration sponsorship

What happens when immigration sponsorship is withdrawn?

Once the University withdraws immigration sponsorship a report is made to the Home Office against your Student visa via the online Sponsor Management System (SMS).

The Home Office will send a letter notifying you of the decision to curtail your visa to your last known address and may also email you. It is very important that you update your details with the Home Office using your UKVI account. Check both your post and your emails and keep a copy of the correspondence from the Home Office. If you have less than 60 days remaining on your current visa, we expect that the Home Office will write to you and advise you to leave before your leave expires. If you have more than 60 days remaining on your current visa, the Home Office will write to you to shorten your remaining visa time and tell you the new end date of your leave to remain in the UK. This will be the date by which you must leave the UK.

Please note sometimes there may be a delay in you receiving your curtailment letter/email from the Home Office. Therefore, you are advised to make the necessary arrangements to leave the UK as soon as possible.

Overstaying

If you continue to stay in the UK after the expiry date of your leave to remain you will become an 'overstayer'. Overstaying is a criminal offence in the UK and should be avoided. If you overstay your visa, you will have to disclose this on any future visa applications made to enter the UK.

For further information on withdrawals please see: Withdrawal of Immigration Sponsorship

Will my immigration sponsorship be withdrawn if I write up in the UK?

No. If you remain in the UK, the University can continue monitoring your academic engagement and maintain your sponsorship.

Can I return to the UK using my old Student visa after travelling overseas?

No. You will need to request a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and apply for a new Student visa. We advise that you contact the International Student Team (IST) three months before your intended return date so that a CAS can be assigned to facilitate a new Student visa to complete your studies. You must pay a visa application fee and an immigration health surcharge. These payments are an integral part of your visa application.

How to apply for a new CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for Continuing Students

What if I only want to return to the UK to sit my viva?

If you want to return to the UK and only sit your viva then you have the option of returning on a Standard Visitor visa. Please note if you return to the UK on a Standard Visitor visa you can only sit your viva. You cannot complete corrections under this visa. If major or minor corrections are required, you must request a new CAS and apply for a new Student visa from overseas.

If I return to the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, can I switch to a Student visa from inside the UK?

If you enter the UK on a Standard Visitor visa you will not be permitted to ‘switch’ your visa from inside the UK to a Student visa. This is because there is a restriction set by the UK Government preventing in-country visa switches for certain visa types of visas: Student visa: Switch to this visa - GOV.UK. If you later decide that you need a CAS, you will need to return to your home country and request a CAS from overseas to facilitate a new Student visa application.

If immigration sponsorship is withdrawn and my Student visa is cancelled, can I still apply for the Graduate Route visa?

As a part of the eligibility for the Graduate Route visa you must:

Hold a valid Student visa
Successfully complete your course
Meet the study in the UK requirement by completing at least 12 months under Student permissions
Make a visa application from inside the UK

For further information on the eligibility criteria please read: Graduate Route Visa and Graduate visa: Overview - GOV.UK.

If I spend some time writing up overseas and then later decide to return to the UK to complete some of my writing up, attend my viva and complete corrections on a new Student visa, will I be eligible for the Graduate Route visa?