eVisa

From the 6 August 2024 students no longer need to wait for UKVI to send an invite to set up a UKVI account allowing access to their eVisa. 

All current BRP holders whose BRP’s expire on 31 December 2024, should create an online UKVI account before the expiry of their BRP.  You must create your UKVI account to access your eVisa before the BRP expiry date.

This information should be maintained by the user. Personal details and any changes should be updated as soon as practicable. It is extremely important to ensure your UKVI account reflects details of your current travel document (TD) or passport (PPT). You must check that your eVisa is linked to your current travel document or passport before you travel outside the United Kingdom.

In 2025 UKVI have stated that entry clearance vignettes will also be de-commissioned at some stage. There is no timeframe for this, and details will be released once UKVI update this information.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a new digital immigration system, that will be in full operation from 2025 onwards. Physical visa documents will gradually be de-commissioned with only an online record of immigration status. This digital status is known as an 'eVisa'.

Since 2018 many people seeking to come to the UK or extend their time in the UK have been granted eVisas instead of or as well as physical visa documents. 

EU/EEA nationals applying from overseas under the Student Route using the ID Check app will receive an eVisa only and will not receive any physical document to prove their immigration status. Recent applications for permission to stay in the UK will have also generated an eVisa, in some cases this will be as well as a physical immigration document.

eVisa will replace the following physical documents:

This means UKVI will hold your immigration status digitally online.

Creating a UKVI account to access eVisa will not affect your current status or conditions. You are not applying for a new visa. EVisa is the new UKVI method to prove you have valid immigration status in the United Kingdom and replaces the physical BRP card.

If you create a UKVI account that reflects your current student conditions and then you subsequently apply for a graduate route visa, you will not be required to update your UKVI account if your application is successful. UKVI have stated this should be done automatically by UKVI as the Graduate route already supports digital status information. This automatic update would be the same for any route that already supports digital online  status.

eVisa benefits include: 

  • eVisa is secure, it cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with. A physical document can be lost or abused. 
  • eVisa will not need to be collected, and you will not need to wait for it during the application process. You will still need to provide biometric information to UKVI.
  • eVisa will make it easier to prove your status at the UK border and share your status with third parties e.g. Schools/Colleges/ Universities, employers and landlords.

Travelling

If you update your TD/PPT using the Update My Details Service on gov.uk, you should wait until you receive confirmation of these amendments before travelling.

If you do travel without confirmation of the change, you must also carry the TD/PPT that was linked before you made the change.  UKVI have advised that travel document information should be updated as far in advance as possible. This is to allow enough time for all parties to be updated (carriers and UK Border Force etc). There is currently to guideline as to how long this change could take.

UKVI have stated that when you travel using your eVisa, you will not receive a Border Force stamp on entry to the United Kingdom. Please retain your boarding pass and flight itinerary to evidence your entry to the United Kingdom. This will be required if you enrol with UCA.

Valid BRP Cards

If you have a valid BRP card and you intend to travel before the expiry of your BRP you must continue to carry and present this card as required until the BRP expires. If you lose your current valid BRP, UKVI guidance is that you must still apply for a replacement Unless UKVI advise otherwise.

You must update UCA with your eVisa information using the View and Prove Service.

In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will only need to carry your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account and must be linked to you eVisa.

If you already have a UKVI account and digital status/eVisa and shared this with the university, you do not need to do anything further.

Visa’s issued up to and including Autumn 2024

You will receive a mail or email confirming your visa application has been successful and that you need to collect your BRP on arrival. The email will also state that you will need to follow instructions provided by UKVI to create a UKVI account so you can access your eVisa.

Visa’s issued commencing Winter 2024

You will receive a mail or email confirming your visa application has been successful and that you will need to follow instructions provided by UKVI to create a UKVI account so you can access your eVisa.

Visa’s issued in 2025

UKVI have stated that for all successful new visa applicants in 2025, your UKVI account will be automatically created in line with your visa application.

UKVI have not released any official dates yet. They have stated that dates will be released in due course. 

For the latest information from the UKVI on eVisas please see their dedicated page on the GOV.UK website.

If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you’ve created your UKVI account, you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa.

If you have another physical document

If you have indefinite leave to enter (ILE) or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) (also known as settlement) and you currently prove your rights through a different means, this might be a wet-ink endorsement or Vignette in your passport (current or expired), you should make an NTL application to replace this with a BRP.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a BRP to prove your rights and you should carry your BRP and passport, when travelling internationally.

Once you have a BRP, you’ll be able to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa later this year.

If you have a biometric residence card

If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you already have an eVisa and you do not need to any further application for eVisa.

You can find details of how to access and use your eVisa in your grant letter or email.

You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.

If you have a BRC and you have not:

  • Been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
  • Obtained another form of immigration leave.
  • Become a British citizen.

Your BRC is NOT valid even if it still has a valid, future expiry date. This is because the United Kingdom has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.

To continue living in the UK you should obtain an appropriate immigration status as soon as possible. You may still be able to make a late application for EU settlement.

You may be able to apply as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen.

Do not travel internationally until you have obtained a proof of your immigration status.

If you are a British or Irish citizen with a passport, or you have the right of abode

If you are a British or Irish citizen, and you hold a British or Irish passport, you do not need an eVisa or a UKVI account and do not need to do anything. You should continue to use your passport as normal.

If you are a British citizen and are also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or you have the right of abode in the United Kingdom and you do not have a British passport, you may need to act in future. UKVI will update this at a later stage.

If you have the right of abode in the UK and you still have your BRP, check what you need to do with your BRP after being granted citizenship.

How do I create my UKVI account?

  • You will need your BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number.
  • The GWF and UAN number would be created automatically during original application process. A copy would have been sent by email or post.
  • If you do not have BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number visit Gov.uk/eVisa for UKVI advice.
  • A family or friend can assist you to create an account.

Get started… you will need:

  • A smartphone or laptop or any device with internet access You can use a friend or family members device.
  • Your Identity document, BRP or Passport.
  • Your BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number.
  • Your date of birth.
  • Your email address.
  • Your mobile phone number.
  • Access to UK ID Check on google and apple store. The link will give instructions on how to use it, as well as where to download for Android and IOS devices.

Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

Step 1 – Create an account:

  • If you received a letter from UKVI telling you to set up an account, please follow the instructions on the letter.
  • If you have not received a letter go to Online immigration status (eVisa) and select ‘why do I need a UKVI account’ then click ‘create a UKVI account’ and finally ‘Start now’ and follow the steps below.
  • Fill in all details requested by UKVI and select create account.
  • Once created you will get confirmation by email that account has been created and you can sign in and view your eVisa.
  • If you have set up your UKVI account and cannot view your eVisa after a couple of days, you should contact the UKVI Resolution Centre for further assistance.

Step 2 – Confirm your identity:

  • Use the UK immigration ID check.
  • If using a PC, you will also need the app on smartphone to scan QR code.
  • Take a picture of your identity (BRP or Passport).
  • Check all information, make sure it’s correct.
  • Take a picture of yourself. This should be treated with the same importance as a passport image. This will be used to prove your status.

Step 3 – Link your account:

  • You must complete all the sections on the task list and submit.
  • UKVI will email when eVisa is ready. This may take a couple of days.
  • Use the View and prove service to share your status by generating a share code.

View and prove your immigration status: Get a share code.

You must update UCA with your eVisa information using the view and prove

When Your UKVI account is created and you have access to your eVisa, your eVisa will be linked to the Identity document on your UKVI account. Please make sure that your current travel document or passport is linked to your eVisa before you travel.

View and prove your immigration status

Sign-in to the View and Prove service. You will need your details used to create your UKVI account.

You can use this service to view your eVisa and check what permissions you have on your current visa conditions. This will include if you can work and what benefits you are entitled to. Your eVisa will not currently show the sponsor licence number of the University. UKVI are currently reviewing this, and it may change at a later stage.

This service is also for you to prove your status to employers, landlords or education providers. You would generate a share code which allows access to relevant information for a limited time.

You’ll should provide the share code and your date of birth, to the third party checking your status. This may be an employer or landlord.

UKVI will provide automatic access to certain government departments and public authorities allowing them to automatically access your online immigration status.

This currently includes the following departments:

  • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • Social Security Scotland
  • NHS England
  • NHS Wales and councils.

You do not need to generate a share code to access these departments. They will confirm your identity and then access the information directly.

If the organisation does need to see your status, they’ll inform you and you’ll be able to use the View and Prove service to share your immigration status information with them.

Updating your details

You must advise UKVI if any of your personal information or passport/travel documents change or need updating.

It’s important that you keep the information held your UKVI account current, so you can access your account, and avoid being delayed when travelling to the United Kingdom

Update your details through the ‘update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ service or by using the ‘update details’ function in the View and Prove service.

You’ll need to update your details if there are changes to:

  • your ID document, passport or travel document
  • your account sign in details (email address and phone number)
  • your name or nationality
  • your home or postal address
  • Once you have updated your online UKVI account details, you will use the new updated information to sign in and access your UKVI account.

Please click on the links below to view the UKVI eVisa help videos: