Written question asked by Lord Chan (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 December 2005.

Chinese Students

Question: Why university undergraduates and postgraduates from China are required to report to police stations on arrival in England and Wales even though they have obtained their entry visas at the British Embassy in China.

Answer: The requirement to register with the police once they have arrived in the United Kingdom is a condition of the entry clearance issued by the British Embassy. Chinese nationals are ““relevant foreign nationals”” for the purposes of Part 10 of the Immigration Rules. These state that a ““relevant foreign national”” aged 16 or over who is given limited leave to enter the United Kingdom for longer than six months should normally be required to register with the police unless he is given leave in one of the categories listed in paragraph 326(2) of the rules. Students are not one of the exempt categories. This is not a new requirement, nor is it confined to Chinese nationals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2584; 676 c91WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Foreign Nationals: Entry to UK
Monday, 19 December 2005
Written questions
House of Lords; Foreign Nationals: Registration
Monday, 19 December 2005
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: China Entry clearances Police Overseas students Registration
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk