Summer 2022 ceremonies
Visa support letters
If your student visa has expired or is due to expire ahead of your ceremony and you or your guests require a support letter from the University, you can request this when completing the online registration process.
Once requested, the letter will confirm your invitation and registration status for your ceremony to help you and your guests with their visa application, so that they are able to be with you for your special day. Your guests do not require a named invitation directly from the University and as such this will not be issued.
Family and friends visiting you in the UK
If your family or friends from overseas would like to attend your graduation, they will need to check if they need a visa to come to the UK.
They can check this using the Government website. If a visa is needed, the website will then provide information on how to make the application and where to apply.
The website has detailed information explaining the documents your family/friends will need to provide for the visa application for example their bank statements, passport etc.
As the purpose of their visit is to attend your graduation, it is useful if you provide them with the following documents to support their visa application:
- A document confirming you have a graduation ceremony – this can be requested and provided by Delivery Services as part of the online registration process.
- An ‘invitation’ letter from you confirming you would like them to visit you in the UK for your graduation. You should include that you studied at BCU and state your course. If they will be staying in your accommodation you should state this in your letter and provide the address you live at. You can download a template for the letter below.
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A copy of your visa
If you have questions about how to apply for the visa you can contact the University's International Student Advisers at batch@bcu.ac.uk