Nationalities Department - About Us - Surrey Police

Nationalities Department

Citizens of the following countries who are admitted to the United Kingdom (UK) may be required to register with the police:

• AFGHANISTAN ; ARGENTINA ; ALGERIA ; ARMENIA ; AZERBAIJAN
• BAHRAIN ; BELARUS ; BOLIVIA ; BRAZIL
• CHINA ; CUBA ; COLOMBIA
• EGYPT
• GEORGIA
• IRAN ; ISRAEL ; IRAQ
• JORDAN
• KAZAKHSTAN ; KYRGYZSTAN ; KUWAIT
• LEBANON ; LIBYA
• MOLDOVA ; MOROCCO
• NORTH KOREA
• OMAN
• PALESTINE ; PERU
• QATAR
• RUSSIA
• SAUDI ARABIA ; SUDAN ; SYRIA
• TAJIKISTAN ; TUNISIA ; TURKEY ; TURKMENISTAN
• UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ; UKRAINE ; UZBEKISTAN
• YEMEN

STATELESS persons are also subject of the Police Registration Scheme.

Entry Clearance officers and Immigrations Officers can in certain circumstances impose the requirement to register on nationals of countries not listed above.

If your passport has the stamp:

• "Police Registration within 7 days of arrival" OR
• "Register at once with the police"

you should register either within 7 days of arriving in the United Kingdom or within 7 days of receiving your visa extension from the Home Office.

Is every foreign national required to register with the police when residing in the United Kingdom?

Only those foreign nationals aged 16 or over and mainly from the countries listed above are required to register with the police whilst residing in the UK. However, depending on circumstances, some people from these countries do not have to register. You can tell by looking at the wording on your visa in your passport - if it says 'Register with the police', you will need to do so. If you are from one of the countries in the list above and are not sure if you have to register with the police, please contact the Nationalities Department.

Is it possible to register for the first time at any police station?

No. To register for the first time in Surrey you will need to contact Police Headquarters Nationality Dpt for an appointment, if you live near Reigate you can also register there no appointment necessary.

Do I need an appointment to register?

Yes, it is necessary for you to make an appointment at Police Headquarters Nationality Department.

At Reigate Police Station no appointment is necessary.

How do I get to Police Headquarters or Reigate Police Station?

• Click here for a map for Surrey Police Headquarters, Mount Browne - [Not Guildford Town Centre]
• Click here for a map for Reigate Police Station

What do I need to bring with me to register with the police for the first time?

To register with the police you are required to bring with you the following items:

• Your passport.
• One recent passport size photograph.
• Registration fee of 34.00 (cash or cheque).
• If you are a student, you must bring your university/college offer letter with details of your studies or a student card.
• If an organisation or company is sponsoring your studies, you should bring a letter from the organisation to confirm this.
• If you are employed in the United Kingdom you must bring your work permit and details of your employers.

Will the registration certificate be available for collection the same day?

No, at Reigate police station the registration certificates are usually issued and then sent out by post a few days later. At Police Headquarters the certificates are usually completed whilst you wait.

Is it possible to register at the university/college I am studying at?

At this time there is no arrangement. Foreign Nationals must attend police Headquarters or Reigate police station.

However, during August and September, we do run events at the University of Surrey, and the Royal Holloway College where students of those Universities can come to register with the Police. Students should contact the International Students Office at their University for details of these events.

If I change any of the details that are on my registration certificate, do I have to report these changes to the police?

Yes. After registering with the police and collecting your registration certificate, it is a condition that you go to any local police station to report any of the following changes:

• New address
• Any new landing conditions
• Extensions to your visa granted by the Home Office
• New passport
• New study information or change to university/college
• New employment
• Change of marital status
• Exemption from Police Registration
• Change of Nationality

Any changes should be reported within 7 days.

THERE IS NO FEE TO PAY WHEN YOU NOTIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE CHANGES TO POLICE.

When will my registration certificate expire?

Your registration certificate will expire if you are out of the United Kingdom for a continuous period of more than 1 year.

If I go to live in another city in the United Kingdom what should I do?

You must report to the local police station in the new town within 7 days. Take your police registration certificate, passport and evidence of your new school, university or work permit. If you have not been out of the U.K. as above there will be no charge and you continue to use the same certificate.

Will I be prosecuted if I do not report any changes to my registration?

Yes, you will be prosecuted if you do not report changes to the details on your registration certificate or do not keep to your visa requirements. This could result in either a fine of up to 5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

What do I do when I am leaving the United Kingdom and plan not to return?

Before leaving the United Kingdom, you are required to return your registration certificate to the Nationalities Department or your local police station, explaining that you are leaving the UK and giving the date of your departure.

What if I am going on holiday out of the United Kingdom: do I return my registration certificate?

No, if you are leaving the UK for a short holiday you should keep your certificate with you.

If I lose my registration certificate or damage it, do I have to pay for another?

Yes, if you have lost your registration certificate, you must report the loss to your local police station and then attend at the Nationalities Department with your passport and registration fee of 34 to obtain a replacement. If it is damaged you must hand it in and you will also pay 34 for a replacement.

And if my registration certificate is stolen?

If your registration certificate has been stolen, you must report the theft to your local police station and you are then given a Crime Report Reference number. On receipt of this number you must attend at the Nationalities Department. You will also have to pay a replacement fee of 34.

I am emigrating to another country and require a Subject Access Report; do I contact the Nationalities Department?

No, depending on which country you are emigrating to you have to contact different organisations.

If you are emigrating to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America, you need to apply to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

For all other countries you may need to apply to Surrey Police by completing a data protection form.