Police registration

Students

Certain nationalities must register with the police in the UK within seven days of their arrival as part of their visa regulations. If you are required to register you will find the following statement or similar written on your visa, 'Register with the police within seven days'. If this wording appears on your visa you must go to a police registration unit in order to collect your police registration certificate. If your visa states you must register and you do not, you are breaking your immigration rules. The Home Office check with local police stations country-wide to ensure all students who are required to register have done so. If your visa does not state you should register with the police, then you do not have to.

Avon and Somerset police have produced a list of nationalities who are required to register.

Staff

If your entry clearance/work permit states that you are required to register with the police, you must do so within seven days of your arrival in the UK. If you have brought dependents with you (spouse/children) and their entry clearance has the same requirement, they must also register within seven days. Children under the age of 16 do not need to register with the police.

General requirements

You should take the following to the Police Registration Unit:

  • Your passport
  • Your UK visa
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • £34 fee in cash

Updating your police registration certificate

The most common reasons you may have to update your police registration certificate is if you change address whilst in the UK or have your visa extended inside the UK.

Immigration law requires that you must report to the police registration unit within seven days if any of the following change:

  • A change of address
  • Extension of leave to remain in the UK
  • New passport
  • Name
  • Marital status
  • Occupation

If any of the above change, then you must inform the police so that they can update your police registration certificate. This is free of charge.

Lost/stolen police registration certificate

If your police registration certificate is lost or stolen you must report this to the police at the Registration Unit. You will then have to pay for a new certificate.

Location of police registration unit in Bristol

Police Registration Unit
Clifton Police Station
2-10 Kings Parade Mews, Clifton
Bristol BS8 2RE

Tel: +44 (0)117 952 9769
Email:policeregistrationunit@avonandsomerset.police.uk

Opening times

Monday - Thursday: 9 am -1 pm and 2 - 3.30 pm. No appointment is necessary.

Please note that the police registration unit is CLOSED on Fridays.

You will be required to fill in a Police Registration Application Form 85. This can also be downloaded from the Avon and Somerset police website.