Hi,
Do PhD (research) students have to register at the beginning of acedemic years? They dont have to take classes, so cant they register at the middle of a semester?

Where I am the postgraduate committee only meets twice a year (September and January) to process new applicants, so you can only really start in September or January.

Actually, I have been offered a place for PhD, but I havent received the official acceptance paper yet. I dont think I will able to manage to register in September 2006(visa, paperwork etc.). So, Will they not allow me to register in October 2006 for instance?

I would think so; it's only a few weeks later after all. You can probably start whenever you're ready but you wouldn't actually get your student card until the postgrad committee had met. Different institutions probbaly have different rules; if you live nearby just call in and ask to speak to the postgraduate advisor.

Just re-read your message and realised that if you need a visa you probably don't live close by your uni; sorry...I don't think you will have any problem since you want to register after September. It's only poeple who want to register before September that may have difficulty.