About us
The University of Edinburgh staff immigration service provides free and impartial specialist advice on UK immigration matters for prospective and current staff, visitors and their accompanying dependants.
This includes:
- Guidance on the UK immigration rules and regulations;
- Advice on the processes and procedures for submitting an application to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI);
- Application checking service;
- Training and Advice Sessions.
The University of Edinburgh are members of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA).
Conditions of Service
We provide advice in good faith, based on information that you give us about your situation. We endeavour to ensure that our advice is accurate. It is therefore essential to provide us with all information and documents, which are or might be relevant to your immigration case. We cannot accept responsibility for any negative decisions made on the basis of information you have not disclosed. Please note that immigration legislation is subject to change, often at short or no notice. Advice given will be relevant on the date it is provided.
Where assistance is required which is outside the Staff Immigration Service remit, we will provide links to sources of relevant information from the Home Office and/or external legal advice.
Regulation of immigration advice and services
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) permits us to provide immigration advice and services under the block exemption for education institutions. The OISC operates a Code of Standards, which sets out the principles and standards by which immigration professionals must comply. The OISC may inspect the Staff Immigration Service and client records at any time, a part of their regulatory role.
Fees
The advice and assistance provided by the Staff Immigration Service is free of charge. However, you are responsible for all Home Office application fees, Immigration Health surcharge and other costs related to the visa application. You may be eligible for the University of Edinburgh reimbursement policy.
Information about this can be found on the Human Resources site
Human Resources - Immigration Fee Assistance
You are also responsible for any costs related to legal advice outside of the remit of the Staff Immigration Service.
Liaison with external organisations/Data Protection and Confidentiality
We hold information with you for the purpose of delivering an Immigration Service. Our privacy statement details how we use this information and who we may share this data and the purposes.
Conflict of Interest and withdrawals
The Staff Immigration Service are employees of the University of Edinburgh. We will not be able to advise or act for you when there is a real conflict of interest between you and the University.
Complaints procedure
If at any stage you have any concerns regarding the conduct of your case, please raise them with your adviser in writing. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact Derek MacLeod, Head of Global Partnerships who will provide an initial written response within a reasonable timeframe. Staff complaints will be processed and followed in relation to the staff grievance policy.