The Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) is the place to visit in London if you live in London and have been required to register with the police, an essential part of many foreign nationals’ visa conditions.

Our details

Our address is:

323 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JL

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Please see our opening times below:

Opening times

Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 4pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday: closed
UK public holidays and bank holidays: closed

Sometimes we have to close early at short notice. We sincerely apologise if this has been the case on the day of your visit.

When to attend

You must visit the OVRO to register and get your police registration certificate (PRC) within seven days of arriving in London. This is important, because if you don’t you may face:

  • a £5,000 fine
  • a prison sentence
  • recommendation of deportation
  • a ten-year ban on entering the UK


Unsure if you need to register? Read our advice for first time visitors.

When your details change

If you change any of your personal or contact details whilst studying or working in London, you’ll need to reregister with the OVRO.

You must report any of the following changes within seven days:

  • change of address
  • change of college/university/work
  • change of occupation
  • change in marital status
  • new landing conditions (re-entry or extended visa)
  • new passport details
  • exemption from Police Registration


If you lose your certificate

If you’ve lost your police registration certificate, please visit our office. You can find details about which documents to bring with you here. We’ll ask you about how you lost it, before we can consider issuing you a new one.

What to expect

You might wait a short time or a long time at the OVRO, depending on the time of year. Generally our busiest time of day is 12pm to 2pm. If you can only visit us during lunchtime, you might have to wait longer than at other times, so we recommend not visiting at lunchtime. 

Our busiest months are September to November.

Admission slips are handed out during our busier times so everyone can be seen in the order of their arrival.

If the office becomes too busy, we may close before 4pm.

If you’ve been to the OVRO but we didn’t have the time to see you, you may be given an admission slip that shows your appointment booking. 

A registration takes about 15 minutes. We’ll scan your registration form and record:

  • your full name
  • your gender
  • your marital status
  • your date of birth and country of birth
  • your nationality
  • your address in the UK
  • the address of the last place you lived outside the UK
  • the date and place you arrived in the UK
  • your passport details
  • your visa requirements, including how long you can stay
  • if you’re a student or working


Once we’ve checked your documents we’ll register you and issue you with a police registration certificate on the same day.

Please see our full checklist of what to bring with you when you visit the OVRO.

Facilities

A portable ramp and assistance bell are available for wheelchair users.

The OVRO has no toilets or baby changing facilities.

The OVRO has no printing, copying or photo facilities.

We don’t allow pets inside the OVRO, except guide dogs.

Please note

It is a criminal offence in the UK to carry guns, knives, CS gas, offensive weapons and classified drugs such as cannabis, marijuana or hashish.

If you’re found carrying any of the above items at the OVRO you could face criminal charges.