Registration with the police

[carioca]

Hi!

I have had two UK Entry Clearance as Tier 2 (general) Migrant (PBS), one granted in May 2009, and the second, in June 2012. This latter one expires in 14 December 2012. Now I'm switching job, have had a new CoS issued, and am applying online. But I fear I'm in trouble:

When I arrived in the UK the first time (after my first Tier 2 visa was issued), the UKBA agent in Heathrwo Airport told me I had to report to the police. I went to the nearest police station to where I was living, but when I got there the police officer said: "you came here for nothing, you do not need to report."

After my second tier 2 working visa was issued, I was already living in the UK for three years, so I assumed I didn't need to report. Now that I'm applying to the new tier 2 visa, the guidance to the online application recommends to 'check your biometric card' to see whether you need to report. So I checked my biometric card - and it says "register/report to police"!

I see that i should have done it within 7 days of receipt of the biometric card, which I didn't. I do not have a police certificate to attach to my application.

Am I in trouble? Should I register with the police now? I'm really worried...

[geriatrix]

What is your nationality?
Does the entry clearance vignette issued in 2009 state anything on it regarding registration with police?

[carioca]

I'm a Brazilian national.

No, in 2009, the visa was issued as a sticker in my passport (plus the stamp recveived at the boarder. Neither the sticker, nor the stamp said I should register/report to the police. However, the agent at Heathrow TOLD me to register. I did as he said, went to the police in Eastbourne (I was going to be living in Brighton), and there the police officer said "there is nothing in your passport saying you need to report. So, you don't need to be here".

My mistake was to assume I did not need to report, ever. But in my new visa (biometric residence card) says I should 'register/report to police' - which I haven't done and only realized now...

[geriatrix]

Brazilian nationals are required to register with the police.
That said, I haven't heard of any applicant being refused leave to enter / remain for failing to register with the police or failing to register again when moving home.

[carioca]

Thanks for the replies, sushdmehta.

Do you know what happens if I report to the police now?

[manci]

You should report to the police now because if you don't your new application for leave to remain will not be processed. See page 15:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

For possible sanctions see:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/77/section/26
but IMHO the worst that can happen is a fine.

as to where to register see:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... thepolice/

[carioca]

Thanks a lot, manci! This info is very useful.

I'll report to the police ASAP.

[carioca]

Went to OVRO today, and all went fine (I got a verbal warning).

But I learned that in some cases the penalty can be a fine (up to 5k or 10k, don't remember), 5 or 10 years in prison, or deportation.

So, beware!