Immigration Support Officer

This role will contribute to the provision of a professional and specialist advice and guidance service to all sponsored students and staff, and also work in collaboration with Student Services and other departments across the University. The overall purpose is to support the Immigration Advisory Service in their day to day function in providing visa advice to international students and staff and adhering compliance obligations.

The postholder will be one of the first points of contact for students/staff where they raise an issue or have a general query and to triage the queries accordingly. The role will also support the institution in being able to continue to recruit international students and staff and will be involved in informing, advising and engaging with key colleagues across the institution to ensure that the substantial risks associated with non-compliance are mitigated. Together with the team, the postholder will ensure international students' enrolment is supported to high standard and any visa queries dealt with in a timely manner.

Main duties:

• To complete basic assessments of CAS requests

• To develop a knowledge base surrounding Visa sponsorship obligations, including an effective website and internal guidance document management.

• To provide triage support to the Immigration Advisors and Managers in relation to visa advice, sponsorship and compliance queries.

• To assist in responding to queries from UKVI, Border Force, or any other external body in an appropriate and timely manner, triaging where appropriate. Also be able to raise queries with UKVI to help problem-solve students’ issues.

• Audit data and ensure records are accurate and up to date and documents held on record where necessary.

• To assist with the delivery of a number of risk management projects in relation to Visa sponsorship requirements, and general immigration issues affecting staff and students

• To assist students with BRP correction and replacement processes and have an understanding of the rules/requirements involved.

• Managing the BRP processing project during peak times and overseeing the student collection process during and after the enrolment period.

• To assist the Immigration Advisors and Managers in preparing for any future Home Office audit.

• To support and promote the work of Governance and Legal Services by contributing to the provision of immigration advice, guidance and compliance to a variety of stakeholders across the institution