Find out how your visa will be affected if you choose to temporarily or permanently withdraw from your course at Sussex.
What to do first
There are many things you will need to get advice about if you are thinking of pausing or leaving your studies.
These include your:
- academic progress
- finances
- housing needs
- personal circumstances
- health.
See what you have to do if you are thinking of withdrawing from Sussex.
Next
Once you have read our guidance on withdrawing, you need to know how your visa status is affected – contact us using our international advice form.
What happens when you withdraw
When you withdraw – either temporarily or permanently – you will no longer be a registered student and we will need to report this to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
This happens within 10 working days. Our UKVI Compliance team will contact you when the report has been made. Check your contact details are correct on your student profile as UKVI will normally use your personal email address to contact you.
UKVI should then email you a cancellation letter to confirm your visa is going to be cancelled. This can take a few weeks. If you don’t receive this email, tell one of our international advisers.
UKVI normally cancels your visa to expire 60 days from the date of the email or letter. It's very important that you leave the UK on or before your new visa expiry date. If you do not you will become an overstayer, which is an illegal status. See our information on the consequences of overstaying your visa.
You don’t have to wait to hear from UKVI; you can leave the UK as soon as you wish.
Resuming at Sussex
If you will be resuming your studies at Sussex you will need to apply for a new student visa in your home country before you return, meeting all the application requirements (including financial ones) again. This includes paying the visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees again. Unfortunately, you are not eligible to receive a refund for any previous IHS fees if you leave the UK before your visa ends and apply again for a new Student visa from overseas.
You will need a new CAS to make a new visa application.
You should hear from our:
- Student Systems and Records office (studentprogressvisa@sussex.ac.uk), if you’re an undergraduate or Masters student
-
Research Student Administration Office (researchstudentoffice@sussex.ac.uk), if you’re a PhD student or doing an MPhil.
Tip: There is a time limit on a student visa, depending on your level of study.
PhD students
If you’re studying for a PhD, you can:
- take annual leave
- temporarily withdraw (also known as intermission)
- apply for authorised absence.
Authorised absence
In some circumstances, you can apply for authorised absence if you need to take a short break from studies of less than 60 days.
Acceptable reasons for authorised absence include:
• to receive minor medical treatment (medical certificate required)
• to take maternity or paternity leave (birth certificate or official medical certificate required)
• illness which would not ordinarily result in an absence exceeding 60 days (medical certificate required)
• illness of a close family member or dependant (medical certificate required).
You can only get authorised absence if it won’t affect your academic progression or your ability to complete your studies within your existing period of leave.
If you cannot return to studies after taking a period of authorised absence (up to a maximum of 60 days, normally in whole months) you will usually need to apply for an intermission and we will withdraw sponsorship.
Authorised absence application process
You can request an authorised absence application form from the forms and letters request page. The form needs to be approved by the lead supervisor and Director for Postgraduate Researchers.
If you’re requesting authorised absence on medical grounds, evidence must be provided to support your application for, and return from, authorised absence. The medical evidence will need to confirm you are fit to return to studies.
The authorised absence will be logged on your student record and you will receive confirmation of the authorised absence.
If you need help, you can speak to:
• the International Advice team, for confidential advice about visas and immigration
• the Student Centre, if you have worries or concerns
• Residential Life, if you have problems with your living situation.
See our Get help and Support page.
Your responsibilities
During an authorised absence, you must continue to meet the conditions of your visa and maintain contact with us through your main supervisor. You must also keep your contact details up-to-date in Sussex Direct.
Ten working days before you resume your studies, you should contact your School to confirm you’ll be returning on the expected date. Any further break from studies could mean you have to apply for an intermission and leave the UK.
Where an authorised absence has been taken on medical grounds, you need to provide medical evidence of your fitness to study ahead of a return.
Find out more about PhD options for international students.