Contact Point Events

Immigration Contact Point events for Student Visa holders

To ensure the University meets the UK (Visas and Immigration) statutory requirements as a sponsor of international students and our responsibilities in accordance with our Sponsor status, students are required to attend Contact Point events when requested.

The Contact Point events are normally held around the mid-Autumn semester and mid-Spring semester for undergraduate and postgraduate students with a Student Visa and in the Summer semester for Research students. The next scheduled event will appear below once the details are finalised.

For undergraduate and postgraduate students, due to the increased attendance monitoring procedures in place, you will now only have one in-person immigration check as part of the annual student registration event and one in-person Immigration Contact Point event in an academic year unless we feel it is necessary to invite you to more than one event.

This means that if you register in the Autumn semester (and complete the in-person immigration check as part of this process) then you will attend the Spring Immigration Contact Point event.

If you register in the Spring semester (and complete the in-person immigration check as part of this process) then you will attend the Autumn Immigration Contact Point event.

The Contact Points for students operate in tandem with the existing attendance and engagement monitoring processes.

The Next Contact Point event

The next Contact Point event for taught students will be held on:

  • 11 to 15 November 2024 at Student Services Hub, Campus Central Level 1 between 10:00 and 16:00.

All students required to attend will receive an email to their student email account.  If you are invited to the event, please attend.  If you are unable to make either date for good reason, please alert the Student Immigration Team.

The process should be quick but please remember that this is an official check-in with the university's Student Immigration Team who require to physically meet with you.  

What do I need to bring with me?

You should bring your University of Stirling ID Card (physical or on the University of Stirling App). If you have a digital visa then you do not need to bring anything additional.

What happens if I don’t attend?

The University will check your attendance and engagement with your faculty. Those students identified as not engaging with their course will face being formally withdrawn from their studies.

The University will report to the UK (Visas and Immigration) that the student has discontinued their studies and that the University ceases to sponsor the student’s visa. As such the Student Visa is invalidated and the student will be told that they are no longer entitled to remain in the UK.

What if I cannot attend?

If you cannot attend in person due to a valid reason which includes: illness; placement; on year abroad; or any other academic reason connected to your studies, you must email studentimmigration@stir.ac.uk to inform the University of your absence and inability to attend in person. In the case of illness, you must provide a copy of a medical certificate. Your email will be considered and you will receive a response in writing.

If you are a research student on fieldwork then you should have completed the fieldwork request form on your Research Compass.

If you are a postgraduate taught student who has returned home early to complete your studies from home and you are not returning to the UK then you must have sought permission from your Faculty before leaving. You should contact studentimmigration@stir.ac.uk for advice.

Reasons other than that outlined above are not regarded as valid reasons for non-attendance.