Police registration
Nationals of certain countries who come to live in the UK for more than six months need to register with the police.
Who needs to register?
If you need to register with the police, it will normally say so on the decision letter you received with your visa. This notification might have also been sent to you via email.
You can find out if your country is on the Police Registration list at the link below.
Nationalities required to register with the police
COVID-19: important Message from Police Scotland
Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak, and in line with UK and Scottish Government advice about social distancing , all Nationality Registrations are temporarily suspended.
The OVRO office at Fettes will be re-opening as of 19/10/2020. Due to coronavirus guidance from the Scottish Government, the registration process will be temporarily different and is further explained below.
If you have not yet registered, but are required to do so
If you are required to register with the police, you will need to email the police at SCDOVROEast@Scotland.pnn.police.uk with the following information;
- Name
- Nationality
- Place of Study
- Date of arrival into the UK and where you started your journey
- If you have quarantined for 14 days and the end date of the quarantine (even if passed)
You will then be given an appointment date and time with specific instructions as to where to attend and what you will be required to bring with you. You will be advised that you must attend this appointment, even if you have class scheduled for the same time. You will need to advise your tutors if you require time off for your appointment.
Please note, there is a very limited amount of people who can be in the building at any point and, as this will be strictly adhered to, you will be requested to appear for your appointment only 5 minutes before hand. If you are any earlier, you will not be allowed access to the building, nor will you be able to wait outside due to current government guidance. You will be required to leave the building as soon as your registration has been completed. You will not be able to wait in or around the building.
You will need to attend your appointment on your own, unless you have children or are attending with a spouse who is also registering.
You will be required to wear a face covering whilst in the building and will only be able to remove it briefly when asked by the registration officer when checking your identity. You will be required to use the hand gel provided in reception when entering and leaving the building.
If you already have a certificate of registration
As of 19/10/2020, you will be able to attend your local police station to make changes to your certificates as per normal. You are advised not to attend in groups, but on your own. You will be required to wear a mask within the station and may be refused entry if there are too many people attending at once. Please note that St Leonards and Gayfield Square stations are open 24 hours per day so they do not need to attend during office hours and can attend at weekends.
No changes will be done at Fettes reception and no one will be seen there without a prior appointment. More Information
To find out how to get to Fettes, you can refer to the Lothian Buses journey planner.
To register with the Police, you need to make an appointment to see them at their Nationality Department (Police Headquarters) at 5 Fettes Ave, Edinburgh EH4 1RB.
To book your appointment, you will need to visit their reception which is open 24/7. It is not possible to book via email or telephone. You will need to provide your name and email address. You can only book for yourself and any dependants, and you will need one appointment per person. Each person registering will need to attend.
Appointments are available on Monday-Thursday at 08.30-12.30 and 12.30-15.00. There are no appointments on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
To find out how to get to Fettes, you can refer to the Lothian Buses journey planner.
Please see the Police Scotland (Overseas Visitor Registration) website for full information on what you willl be required to bring to your appointment.
Police Scotland (Overseas Visitor Registration)
You will also be required to bring a completed 'Initial Registration Document'.
Once you have obtained your Police Registration Certificate, you are required to keep this updated every time you:
- change your address
- obtain new immigration permission or a new passport
- change your programme of studies
You can update your certificate at any local police station. You cannot update your certificate at Fettes or on campus.
Changes and updates must be reported to the Police within 7 days of occurring.
If you have an instruction on your immigration permission to register with the police, registering with the police and keeping your certificate up to date is a condition of your visa; failure to comply with this can have serious consequences, and result in a fine, or curtailment of your immigration permit. It may also affect future visa applications.
If you have not registered with the police or notified them of changes within the 7-day deadline, it is essential that you do this as soon as possible.
If you leave the UK, you are required to return your Police Registration Certificate to your local police station, explaining that you are leaving the UK and giving the date of your departure and copies of flight details.
If you are leaving the UK for a short holiday you should keep your certificate with you.