Following lobbying last week by NUS and our work in getting the police lines at Borough exposure in the media by filming them in the early morning- we’re pleased to announce that international students will no longer be forced to queue at Borough. NUS has worked with UUK And UKCISA and the the Overseas Visitors Record Office have agreed alternatives for international students which can be found here:

From the OVRO Website

As of Monday 8th October 2012 overseas visitors to London who are required to register with the police will now have the following options:

Option 1. Applicants can attend the OVRO office where they either hand in the downloaded completed registration form or complete the form on site. This will be date stamped to prove receipt. A copy will be retained by OVRO and a covering letter accompanying the completed stamped form provided to attendee. This proves compliance with the legal/visa requirement. The applicant will then be required to attend OVRO in person anytime before the end of December 2012 to finalise the registration process. Applicants may choose whether to select option 1 or remain in the queue and register.

Option 2. The revised process has been widened to allow individual universities to take a co-ordinating role if preferred. Please seek advice from your university, however you will still be required to attend OVRO in person to finalise registration any time prior to 31st December 201

Whilst this is a welcome step which provides short-term relief to students involved- we hope that in the long-term the process of police registration is scrapped as it is still unclear why is necessary for students to visit police offices when their information is already held by the UK Border Agency.

Daniel Stevens

NUS International Students Officer