News and Events
Delays in Visa Applications for Overseas Students
Some overseas students are experiencing difficulties and delays obtaining visas to come to study in the UK. For those students who require it, there are also delays in the processing of ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised that ATAS applications are currently taking 5-6 weeks to process. The University regrets that it cannot expedite visa applications.
The following guidance is intended for students due to start their studies at the University in October 2009.
Undergraduates
The Colleges have collectively agreed that undergraduates should be permitted to start their studies up to the middle of the Michaelmas Term. Students who are still unable to take up residence after 3 November 2009 should discuss with their College the possibility of deferring their entry to October 2010. It will be very difficult for students who start their studies after this date to catch up on missed work.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your visa application and think that you will be late arriving in Cambridge you must inform your College and the University's Visa Office (studentvisas@admin.cam.ac.uk). It may be possible for some courses to provide materials and directed reading for you to study from home, and your College will be in touch with you at the start of term about this. If necessary, your College will allow you to stay up after the end of term, or to come up early in the Lent Term to catch up on academic work.
MPhil and other 1-year graduate courses
For one-year graduate courses, including MPhils, deadlines will be applied by Departments, in consultation with Course Directors, for individual courses. Deadlines will take account of the disadvantage that late starters are likely to suffer and the extent to which a student will be able to catch up over the Christmas vacation.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your visa application and think that you will be late arriving in Cambridge you must inform your Department, College and the University's Visa Office (studentvisas@admin.cam.ac.uk). It may be possible for some courses to provide materials for you to study from home, and your Department will be in touch with you at the start of term about this. If necessary, your College will allow you to stay up after the end of term, or to come up early in the Lent Term to catch up on academic work.
Your Department will advise you of the deadline for late arrival for your course. After this deadline, you will need to discuss with the Department resubmitting your application for entry in October 2010.
Research Students
If you are experiencing difficulties with your visa application and think that you will be late arriving in Cambridge you must inform your Department, College and the University's Visa Office (studentvisas@admin.cam.ac.uk). Research students who are unable to start their studies by 3 November, should discuss with their Department deferring their entry to the start of the Lent Term.
All students arriving late should be aware that there will be no blanket arrangements to provide compensation in examinations for the period lost.