Register with Police Scotland
Nationals of some countries, who are coming to the UK for more than 6 months, are required to register with the police when they arrive in the UK.
Who needs to register with the police
You will normally be notified of the need to register with the police in the UKVI decision letter you received with your visa or by email.
UKVI list of the nationalities required to register with the police
When to register
It is very important that you register with the police or update your details within 7 days, if it is a condition of your visa to register with the police.
The start of term places high demand on the University and police staff as thousands of students arrive in Edinburgh for the first time. The local police understand the pressures new students are under and adopt a flexible approach to the 7-day registration deadline. As long as you book an appointment as soon as you can and then attend it with the documents required, there will be no problems and you will have complied with the legislation.
If you do not register or report changes in time, this could result in a fine, have an impact on your visa or affect future visa applications.
Your initial police registration
If you are living in Edinburgh, you need to make an appointment to attend the Overseas Visitors Registration Office (OVRO) based at:
Police Scotland
Fettes Avenue
Edinburgh
EH4 1RB
If you are living outside Edinburgh, check the Police Scotland website for the police station(s) in your area dealing with registrations.
Police Scotland information for overseas visitor registrations
You can book an appointment by emailing the Fettes OVRO.
Email the Fettes OVRO (SCDOVROEast@Scotland.pnn.police.uk)
When booking an appointment at Fettes please provide the following information:
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your full name
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your nationality
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your address in the UK
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your date of arrival in the UK
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which country you started your journey to the UK from
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details of any previous police registration in the UK (when and where you registered)
You will then get an appointment by email along with all the information you require for your appointment.
To register with the police, you need to take the following items with you:
- your passport
- registration fee of £34
- 2 recent passport photos
- your Biometric Residence Permit card (BRP)
- You must collect your BRP from your designated post office or the University prior to registering with the police. As UKVI are moving towards electronic visas, the requirement to register with the police may no longer be shown on BRPs or vignettes issued to enter the UK. Please check your UKVI decision letter for details.
- UKVI decision letter
- the University's offer letter with details of your studies and confirmation of the sponsorship
- proof of address (lease or tenancy agreement)
The Overseas Visitors Registration Office (OVRO) is based at Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 1RB. The Lothian Buses journey planner will help you to find out how to get to Fettes.
Find out more
Police Scotland information for overseas visitor registrations
Notify the police of changes to your details
How you can report changes to your details
Once you are registered, it is important that you inform the police within 7 days if:
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your address changes
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you receive a new visa or get a new passport
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you change your programme of studies
You can do this at any local police station open to the public. You only need a pre-arranged appointment for the Fettes OVRO.
Find out more
Police Scotland information for overseas visitor registrations
Leaving the UK
If you are leaving the UK for a short holiday, you should keep your police registration certificate with you.
If you leave the UK and do not plan to return, you need 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.