FAQs

Only those foreign nationals aged 16 or over and mainly from the countries listed above are required to register with the police whilst residing in the UK. However, depending on circumstances, some people from these countries do not have to register. You can tell by looking at the wording on your visa in your passport - if it says 'Register with the police', you will need to do so. If you are from one of the countries in the list and are not sure if you have to register with the police, please contact the Foreign Nationals Registration Office.

To register with the police you are required to bring with you the following items:

• Your passport. 
• Two recent passport size photographs. 
• Registration fee of £34.00 (cash only). 
• If you are a student, you must bring your university/college offer letter with details of your studies or a student card.
• If an organisation or company is sponsoring your studies, you should bring a letter from the organisation to confirm this.
• If you are employed in the United Kingdom you must bring your work permit and details of your employers.
  

Yes. After registering you must comply with the rules on the reverse of the certificate and any changes, including a change of address must be reported within 7 days at either the Foreign Nationals Registration Office or one of the designated police stations as listed under Question 3.

The Rules of the Police Registration Scheme require you to report changes as follows:-

• New address 
• Any new landing conditions 
• Extensions to your visa granted by the Home Office 
• New passport 
• New study information or change to university/college
• New employment
• Change of marital status 
• Exemption from Police Registration
• Change of Nationality
• Any changes should be reported within 7 days.

THERE IS NO FEE TO PAY WHEN YOU NOTIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE CHANGES TO POLICE.

Your registration certificate will expire if you are out of the United Kingdom for a continuous period of more than 1 year.

You must report to the local police station in the new town within 7 days. Take your police registration certificate, passport and evidence of your new school, university or work permit. If you have not been out of the UK as above there will be no charge and you continue to use the same certificate.

Yes, you will be prosecuted if you do not report changes to the details on your registration certificate or do not obey your visa requirements. This could result in either a fine of up to £5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Before leaving the United Kingdom, you are required to return your registration certificate to the Foreign Nationals Registration Office or your local police station, explaining that you are leaving the UK and giving the date of your departure.

No, if you are leaving the UK for a short holiday you should keep your certificate with you.

Yes, if you have lost your registration certificate, you must report the loss to your local police station and then contact the Foreign Nationals Registration Office with your passport and registration fee of £34 to obtain a replacement. If it is damaged you must hand it in and you will also pay £34 for a replacement.

If your registration certificate has been stolen, you must report the theft to your local police station and you are then given a Crime Report Reference number. On receipt of this number you must contact the Foreign Nationals Registration Office. You will also have to pay a replacement fee of £34.

No - children under the age of 16 are not required to register under the scheme.

Before leaving the United Kingdom, you are required to return your registration certificate to the Foreign Nationals Registration clerk or your local police station, explaining that you are leaving the UK and giving the date of your departure