The background:
As you are aware, Sheffield Hallam University holds a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence which allows us to recruit and enrol international students. This licence is issued to us by the Home Office. The University must comply fully with all of the Home Office’s requirements in order to retain our Tier 4 Sponsor Licence.
This includes complying with a requirement to monitor the attendance of all international students whose visas we ‘sponsor’, i.e. all students for whom we have issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to support a Tier 4 (Student) visa application.
One of the ways the University does this is by inviting Tier 4 students to register in person at Hallam Help Points (previously Helpdesks) at designated points during the academic year.
1st – 3rd April 2019 Registration event – what’s happening and when:
Our next International Student Registration event will be held at Hallam Help Points on 1st April – 3rd April 2019. Students are able to register at any Hallam Help Point.
Which students must register?
All currently enrolled Taught students who hold a Tier 4 General (Student) visa have been invited to register by email.
Which students do not need to register?
The following Tier 4 students have not been invited and are not required to attend, as they are monitored by Research and Placement teams respectively:
- PhD/Research students
- Students recorded as currently on Placement
How to register
Students must register in person, using their SHU Student ID card to register. Registration is quick and should take no more than one minute.
All students who are expected to register have been invited to register at Hallam Help Points. Students are able to register at any Hallam Help Point.Where should I refer student queries about Registration?
If you are contacted by a student who is unsure whether they need to register for any reason – e.g. they may hold a non-Tier 4 visa and/or have been wrongly identified as a current Tier 4 student – they should be referred to their invitation email and instructed to respond to studentimmigrationcompliance@shu.ac.uk as soon as possible.
I am aware of a Tier 4 student that will be absent during Registration
If a student has informed you they may be absent during the Registration period, it is important that you please notify Registry Operations as soon as possible via studentimmigrationcompliance@shu.ac.uk
What happens if a Tier 4 student fails to register?
Any Tier 4 student who fails to attend Registration without prior authorisation will be escalated and will have their IT access removed. Their IT access will not be restored until the student registers (or until the student has provided details of any mitigating circumstances which prevented their registration).
The student may be required to attend a meeting with Student Services, where appropriate support and guidance can be offered.
Failure to engage with the Registration process without authorisation could ultimately lead to the student’s withdrawal from their programme of study, which will have serious implications for their visa status.
The University will investigate such students fully before a decision is made to withdraw. To that end, you may be contacted by University administrative staff to assist with these investigations. If so, your support and cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Other useful information
Details of Tier 4 students’ responsibilities and requirements can be found at: https://students.shu.ac.uk/shuspacecontent/international/your-responsibilities-tier-4-student
Any other questions?
If you have any questions about International Student Registration or the University’s Tier 4 Sponsor Licence obligations, please email studentimmigrationcompliance@shu.ac.uk
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