Registration Requirements For Foreign Nationals

If you are moving from outside the UK you could be required to register with the police at your local police station.  When you arrive in this country your passport will be stamped and the stamp will advise you whether you are required to register.  If you are required to register you must do this within seven days of arrival. 

Do I need to register?

You will usually be required to register if:

• you are a foreign national (i.e. not a Commonwealth citizen nor an European Economic Area (EEA) national), are aged 16 and over, and are admitted for over 6 months.
• you are a foreign national (i.e. not a Commonwealth citizen nor an EEA national), are aged aged 16 and over, and are admitted for over 3 months for the purpose of employment.
• an immigration officer decides, at their own discretion, that you should register with the police.  This is usually only if they believe that it is necessary to ensure that you comply with the terms of "leave to enter" ("permission to enter the UK") which will be given in the passport stamp.
• you are a dependant over the age of 16 of a foreign national who has been required to register, provided you are not a Commonwealth citizen or an EEA national yourself.
• you are a dependant over the age of 16 of an Commonwealth citizen or an EEA national, and are not a Commonwealth citizen or an EEA national yourself.

There are certain instances in which you are exempt from having to register and other instances in which you would have to register even though none of the above-mentioned rules apply. 

How do I register?

If you need to register you should go to your nearest police station which will be listed at the front of the telephone directory.  If you are in the greater London area you should go to the Metropolitan Police Overseas Visitors Records Office at Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LH.  They are open Monday-Friday from 9am-4:30pm.

You will need to give the police details such as your name, address, nationality, marital status, occupation and the date that you are required to leave the UK.  We recommend that you take your birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport and any other relevant information with you.  You should also take with you two passport sized photographs.  Your details will then get entered into a "police registration certificate" which they ask that you keep on you at all times (though this is not a legal requirement).

If the police are unable to issue you with a certificate immediately they may keep your passport, though this will be returned to you when the certificate has been issued.  If they do retain your passport  you should make a note of your passport number or, if possible, take a photocopy before you go.

You will also be asked to pay a fee of £30.00 (although this fee is subject to annual review).

If your certificate is lost or stolen during your stay in the UK you will be expected to obtain another and you will be charged for this.

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