Article 50: advice for EU students

Next week, the government is planning to begin the formal process of exiting the EU by triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

This does not change anything immediately: the UK is still a member of the EU until we actually leave.

However, we recognise that this is a challenging time and we want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information, particularly on immigration issues. UCL's International Student Support team is here to support all UCL students from outside the UK.

We have created a new page on the International Student Support website specifically for students, which we will continue to update on a regular basis, with new developments throughout the Brexit negotiation period.

More information is also available on the UCL EU referendum advice website, which features frequently asked questions and answers about the EU referendum and its potential impact on staff, students and prospective students.

Comprehensive sickness insurance

UCL's International Student Support team has had a number of enquiries from students regarding comprehensive sickness insurance and has been consulting with key stakeholders to get clarity on the issue.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss student in the UK, in most cases it is currently a requirement to have comprehensive sickness insurance (CSI). The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has issued helpful guidance highlighting what this means in further detail, along with information on the different options for demonstrating CSI.

The UK government has stated it will accept a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued outside the UK as evidence of CSI if your stay here is intended to be temporary. It is recommended that you obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when you next travel home, if you have not already done so. Please contact the relevant health authority in your home country for further information on eligibility and procedures for obtaining this card.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and are considering applying for permanent residence in the UK, in most cases you will need to provide evidence of CSI for the five-year period prior to applying.

If you intend to apply for permanent residence during the period of your study at UCL, staff in the UCLU Rights & Advice Centre can offer further guidance and support in this area.

UCL International Student Support