UK universities are warning international students that they risk breaching their visa requirements if they get stuck overseas during the Easter break amid ongoing travel disruption because of the conflict in the Middle East.

The escalating war between the US, Israel and Iran, which has impacted many neighbouring countries in the Gulf, has led to flights being delayed or cancelled, often at the last minute. 

With many students planning to return to their home countries for the break, which starts at many institutions from next week, universities have warned international students to be particularly cautious about their ability to return to the UK.

The University of Nottingham has issued a notice to students that says any extended absence could result in the university being unable to maintain immigration sponsorship, and that remote study on a student visa is not permitted.

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Nottingham says any absence from the UK must not exceed the permitted duration under the university’s UK Visas and Immigration regulations. The Home Office has recently stepped up its monitoring of a number of compliance regulations linked to student visas.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently warns against all but essential travel to much of the Middle East.

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King’s College London urged students and staff to adhere to the latest advice and to avoid travelling to or via high-risk destinations.

“As a university, there may be legitimate research and education reasons to travel to high-risk destinations. However, whilst the University can authorise this travel, we do not encourage it.”

Hundreds of thousands of Brits have been stuck in the Gulf, with others impacted as far away as Thailand, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The UAE and Qatar are vital transfer hubs for long-distance flights. Airports in Turkey, another popular stopping point for long-haul journeys, have also cancelled flights.

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Loughborough University could affect students’ ability to return in time for teaching and assessments after the Easter break.

“Students studying in the UK on a study visa who are unable to return to the UK may need to consider visa requirements relating to time spent outside the UK and may need to apply for a leave of absence from the University if the period abroad is extended.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com