The Student Room Group

Help with student finance after living abroad for one year

I am a UK resident however the past 1 year I have been residing abroad in the UAE. I was planning to work here for 1 year and then go back to England and attend university.

My work contract is 3 years (that is the shortest contract given) and my UAE residence visa is valid for 2 years.

Student finance is asking for evidence that I only moved to UAE temporarily. They have asked for work contracts and visas proving this.

Will my 3 year work contract and 2 year visa be considered temporary. Despite these visas being longer than 1 year, I have only been here for one year and only ever planned to be here for one year.

I am very worried that my student finance will not be accepted because of this. Does anybody have any advice?
Original post by jennaamogus
I am a UK resident however the past 1 year I have been residing abroad in the UAE. I was planning to work here for 1 year and then go back to England and attend university.
My work contract is 3 years (that is the shortest contract given) and my UAE residence visa is valid for 2 years.
Student finance is asking for evidence that I only moved to UAE temporarily. They have asked for work contracts and visas proving this.
Will my 3 year work contract and 2 year visa be considered temporary. Despite these visas being longer than 1 year, I have only been here for one year and only ever planned to be here for one year.
I am very worried that my student finance will not be accepted because of this. Does anybody have any advice?

Hi Jenna,

Yes, as long as the evidence shows this was temporary and covers the full dates then this should be sufficient. You can also upload a cover letter explaining this to avoid any delays. Thanks, Jason
Reply 2
Original post by SFE Jason
Hi Jenna,
Yes, as long as the evidence shows this was temporary and covers the full dates then this should be sufficient. You can also upload a cover letter explaining this to avoid any delays. Thanks, Jason

Hi, yes thank you for your response. So to clarify, my visa and contract expiring in 2025 and 2026 respectively is still classed as temporary as I was only planning to stay for one year? Should I provide other evidence, such as frequent, sometimes monthly flights back to the UK, emails from flat viewings in the UK, etc, or would that not be necessary?
Original post by jennaamogus
Hi, yes thank you for your response. So to clarify, my visa and contract expiring in 2025 and 2026 respectively is still classed as temporary as I was only planning to stay for one year? Should I provide other evidence, such as frequent, sometimes monthly flights back to the UK, emails from flat viewings in the UK, etc, or would that not be necessary?

Hi there,

Yes, that's right - normally, your visa and contract will be enough to show that your time abroad was temporary. There's no harm in submitting any other evidence that you have too.

If our assessors then need any further details at all they'll let you know by e-mail.

Thanks, Graeme

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