Internship in London

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:13 pm

Dear all,

I urgently need your valuable advice and prompt assistance.
My sister she got an unpaid internship in London with Imperial College for 5 months, starting next wed. Unfortunately she was stopped by UK Immigration before boarding Eurostar train in Paris. She is holding student visa and studying Master in Paris, she need to complete her internship in London and return to Paris before can complete her Master course. Now, she's having nightmare of getting into London to start the job next week. The immigration people asked her to apply student visa although they said she's coming to London for working..Why is it??? Really cannot understand.

Your kind help is much appreciated!!!
Looking forward to your feedback...Many thanks!

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:52 pm

There is no immigration category for interns unless it appears on this list.

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteco ... e-list.pdf

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 5:03 pm

Dear Lucapooka,

Thank you for your reply.
It seems none of the list in the pdf file you provided is belong to my sister's case. She isn't in any scheme...
The immigration at Eurostar Paris told my sister to apply student visa they said she is going to work in London. They are impolite and unfriendly...

If my sister is to apply Tier 4 student visa, it's asking for UCAS and can she work as full time since holding student visa only entitle for 20hrs working....
So complicated...

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 6:08 pm

It's not really possible to comment or make suggestions based on your imprecise and incomplete hearsay. Your sister needs to come to this forum and present the exact details of her circumstances. There may be a category of visa that suits her requirement but nothing in what you have said can confirm this as we don't know the relationship between her and ICL.

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:11 pm

Hi there,
This is the sister. I am holding a french student visa and doing my 1st year master's degree in University of Paris Diderot. As required by the course, I must carry out an internship either in France or oversea. Hence, I've chosen to do it in London and have been accepted by ICL for a 5 months unpaid internship. I am not registered as a student in ICL but as a visitor researcher. I've told by my mentor that I'm under studying and my university have issued a letter mentioning that the internship is for studying as well because it's integrated into Master's degree courses. As a malaysian, I do not need a visa if I'm going to UK for studying for up to 6 months in condition that I am not working. Yet, UK Border Agency at Eurostar has refused my visa by saying that internship is not studying, but working. Then they advised me to apply for a student visa before travelling to UK. So, I'm confused now. They said that internship is working then why they asked me to apply for a student visa???
Please be advised. Your help is much appreciated.

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:10 am

apeng wrote:Yet, UK Border Agency at Eurostar has refused my visa by saying that internship is not studying, but working. Then they advised me to apply for a student visa before travelling to UK.

To say that you are working but then suggest applying for a student visa is a confusing and contradictory statement.

The difficult aspect of this is that your letter says you will be working, albeit unpaid rather than studying. You can't enter as a student visitor (the method under which you originally attempted) and work for the entity where you are studying. Nor can do the same with a Tier 4 student visa.

Now that you have been refused entry you will be obliged to apply for a visa before you enter the UK (you can't simply arrive without one) but I think in your present situation, you will not get a student visit visa or a Tier 4 visa to conduct research as an intern. What does the international student adviser at ICL have to say about this?

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:06 pm

u r so right!!!!! I absolutely agreed with u. I just took a look on General Clauses on my internship contract issued by my univ in Paris and it stated that I am always student of my univ, but not the hosting organisation (ICL), so by all reasons, I cant apply for a student visa, but I don't know what type of working visa I need to apply. May I ask what does "academic visitor" means? It's under working visa. If I can be an academic visitor, in this case, my nationality allows me to go to UK without a visa as well.
Please kindly advise. Cheers!!!!!!!!

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:12 pm

Academic visitor is not intended for students. If you were a researcher or professor at your uni in Paris you would use this category to undertake research in the UK.

I think you need to talk to ICL and get them to confirm in writing that you will be studying with them rather than working for them.

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:21 pm

This is what I showed to Immigration officer at Eurostar.

YES, you do need a visa to come and study in the UK
(unless you are coming to study a short course and you will not work during your stay)

You do not need a visa if you will be coming to the UK to:
study a course lasting up to 6 months - you can come as a student visitor or a child visitor (if you are under 18); or
receive specific, one-off training (but not on- the job training) provided by your employer or its UK branch, in techniques and work practices used in the UK - you can come as a business visitor; or
take the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test as an overseas qualified doctor - you can come as a business visitor.
If you come to the UK in one of these visitor categories, you will not be allowed to do paid work during your stay.[/img]

This is so confusing. [/img]

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:27 pm

If you or the letter from ICL said internship rather than study then that is construed as work; and on that basis your refusal was correct. You need to clarify your role and if it's as an intern then you can't go to the UK without a Tier 2 visa; which you can't get. You may have to change your plans and do this in another country.

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:29 pm

Thanks a lot Lucapooka. U r wonderful!!!!! I appreciate very very very much your help!!! I think it wont be a problem for my univ and ICL to issue a letter stating that I am going for a study, but not working, which means i am attending a course over there. This simplifies things. After all, it's down to Immigration officer to believe me or not and if they r willing to give me the visa. Lets cross the fingers!!!! Cheers!!!!!!!!

Post by **Greenie** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:32 pm

The problem you may have is that you have already presented the immigration officer with information to say you will be working. If you now getget a letter saying you will be studying they doubt you because of this.

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:32 pm

apeng wrote:I think it wont be a problem for my univ and ICL to issue a letter stating that I am going for a study, but not working, which means i am attending a course over there.

Great, but will still need to apply for a student visa visa (76 pounds) at the UK consulate in Paris. You can't simply arrive and expect entry clearance on arrival now that you have been refused entry.

Plus, what Greenie has said also applies. You could argue that it was all a misunderstanding and this letter now corrects that, but good luck!

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:41 pm

Why i still have to apply for student visa? since it's for studying? i cant go with student visitor??

If i wan to apply for student visa, i need CAS reference number which i dun have one as i am registered as visitor researcher.

May I contact UK Consulate in Paris directly? Do u have an address or phone number that i can reach them?

Many thanks!!!

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:49 pm

Dear Lucapooka and Greenie, do u think that i can apply for TIER 5 (TEMPORARY WORKER - INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT)???

Why should i have Tier 2 and i couldnt have it??

please kindly advice. Cheers!!!

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:52 pm

apeng wrote:Why i still have to apply for student visa? since it's for studying? i cant go with student visitor??

I just spotted my typo. Student visit visa; not a Tier 4 student visa. The reason is because you were refused entry. You won't be able to simply arrive and get visit entry clearance as a Malaysian passport holder as you have done previously.

Your situation does not fall under the International Agreement category (as far as I am aware).

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:03 pm

I see. Alright, so the only thing to do to assure my visa now is to go to British Consulate-General in Paris. I have found it on UK Embassy website and i will call them immediately Tuesday. They can issue a visa immediately??
To make myself clear, should I say that I am still doing internship? Or I should just saying that I am studying only?

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:04 pm

They won't take your call. You need to apply on-line by following the instructions given on the site. Wait until you have the letter from ICL.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/count ... %20English

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:08 pm

I read this one the British Embassy website :

What if I have an emergency?
Our Consular Assistance team is available to help you between 09.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs Monday to Friday (closed between 13.00 and 14.30 hrs). If you require an emergency travel document or need other assistance please call 01 44 51 31 00. Out of hours please contact the Embassy (35 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré), or call 01 44 51 31 00.

Could you please advice me again if I should still saying that I am doing internship? or just studying only??[/quote]

Post by **Lucapooka** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:10 pm

I'm not going to tell you to lie on an application so if the truth of this matter is that you will be an intern rather than a student then do not apply as it will be refused.

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:16 pm

This is the point i am not clear as well. As my univ said it's studying coz it's an internship integrated into my course to allow me to obtain my 1st year Master's degree (they issued me an attestation for UK Border Agency) and as for my mentor, he said it's for studying as well. But for Immigration officers, it's working due to the word "INTERNSHIP".
I don't wanna lie, coz if they found out, I will be in black list. That's why I am trying to make clear what kind of visa i should apply for. :'(
Ur advice is so much helpful!!!! I appreciate a lot!!!! as it does make clear many points to me.... many thanks!

barrymcDonald · Post by **barrymcDonald** » Sat May 05, 2012 1:00 pm

Doing an internship in China is a good way to stand out of the crowd and get a valuable work experience in the most fast growing country in the world - China. If you are a students or recent graduate who is looking for a job, then an internship abroad can be a good solution and the first step to your future career.

apeng · Post by **apeng** » Sat May 12, 2012 3:19 pm

Hello,

I've successfully obtained the student visitor visa with assistance of ICL.
I arrived London on 23rd APR. ^^
The UK officer said do not mention about ''internship''as it's considered as working although it's part of study module.

Thank you all for the advices!!!

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Internship in London

Internship in London