ECB16 - Police registration
This is internal guidance for use by entry clearance (visa) staff on the handling of visa applications made outside the UK. It is a live document under constant review and is for information only.
ECB16.1 Police registration
Nationals of countries listed below granted leave in accordance with paragraphs 325 and 326 of the Immigration Rules, are required to register with the police where they are given leave to enter for more than 6 months. The entry clearance vignette must state if registration is necessary.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Georgia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Moldova
- Morocco
- North Korea
- Oman
- Palestine
- Peru
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- UAE
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- Holders of Stateless Documents
Dual nationals should not be required to register unless both the nationalities held are listed above. Dependants aged 16 or over of nationals required to register with the police are only required to register if they are also nationals or citizens of one of the countries where registration is required.
In London, police registration is made at the:
Overseas Visitors Registration Office (OVRO),
Brandon House,
180 Borough High Street,
London SE1 1LH.
Tel. 020 7230 1208.
Elsewhere the person will register at the nearest police station specified as a registration office.
A fee is charged for the initial registration certificate which will show the conditions on which a person has been given leave to enter or leave to remain.
Further information on how a person can register with the police.
ECB16.2 Exemptions from police registration
Those given leave to enter (including their dependants nb. except dependants of off-shore workers) in the categories below are not normally required to register with the Police:
a. Tier 5 Temporary Workers sponsored as private servants in diplomatic households and overseas government employees
b. Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Migrants
c. on the basis of marriage to or civil partnership with a person settled in the UK or as the unmarried or same-sex partner of a person settled in the UK
d. those exercising access rights to a child resident in the UK
e. parents of a child at school
f. following the grant of asylum.
g. offshore workers (but not their dependants)
The following are also exempt from the requirement to register:
h. members of non-NATO forces admitted for courses at British military establishments or with private companies (Course F)
i. Community Service Volunteers
j. civilian components of NATO forces
k. non-visa national employees of contractors to US Armed Forces in the UK
l. non-visa nationals employees of the American Battle Monuments Commission.