Online immigration status (eVisas)

Students who have not managed to transition to eVisas by the deadline of 31 December 2024 due to technical errors may be able to use their expired physical immigration documentation to travel to the UK until 31 March 2025.

Important news if you hold a physical immigration document

If you have a physical immigration document you must complete the following steps:

  1. Create a UKVI account to obtain your eVisa
  2. Generate a Sharecode for the reason ‘anything else’ via the Gov.uk webpage
  3. Use this form to provide City St George’s with your Sharecode

The process of how to gain access to your eVisa will depend on the type of physical immigration document you possess.

You may be still able to use your expired physical immigration documentation, such as a Biometric Residence Permit, until 31 March 2025 as long as you have valid immigration permission to be in the UK until that date. However, all individuals with a physical immigration document will need to have transitioned to an eVisa by 31 March 2025.

Please use the information below to find out what you need to do.

The new eVisas include benefits such as instant, accurate and secure proof of status, reducing unnecessary delays at the border and the inability to lose, damage or have the eVisa stolen.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s immigration status. The use of eVisas will mean that BRP cards and other physical documents will no longer be required to prove immigration status.

Watch a video from the Home Office about what eVisas are.

Who will this impact?

You will transition to an eVisa if you currently use one of the following documents to prove your UK immigration status:

  • Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
  • Legacy documents (stamp in passport, vignette sticker)
  • Biometric Residence Card (BRC)

What does this mean for me?

If you are a City St George’s student living in the UK and have physical immigration documents (such as a BRP, passport with ink stamp or vignette), you will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

If you already have access to an eVisa, or you are a British or Irish national, you are not required to do anything.

How to create your eVisa

If you do not already have an eVisa, you should head to this page on the gov.uk website to find out how to create your UKVI account and access your eVisa. You do not need to wait for an invitation to start this process. More information on what you need to do depending on your immigration document type is provided below.

Watch this video from the Home Office explaining how to create your eVisa.

BRP holders

If you hold a BRP, you can create your UKVI account now by visiting the gov.uk website

Legacy document holders

If you hold a legacy document (such as a stamp in your passport or vignette), you will need to make a No Time Limit application to obtain a BRP which can then be used to create a UKVI account. Later on this year, No Time Limit applications will grant applicants with a UKVI account directly to access the eVisa.

Please see this factsheet for further information

BRC holders

If you hold a BRC under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will already have an eVisa and therefore no further action is required. However, if you hold an EEA BRC, you may no longer have valid UK immigration status and therefore further steps are required to ensure the correct proof is obtained.

Please see this factsheet for details on what you need to do

Proving your immigration status with an eVisa

Once you have created your account, you will be able to generate a Sharecode on the gov.uk website to provide to the person checking your immigration status, such as your University, employer or landlord.

When travelling, the eVisa will be linked to your passport. Carriers will be able to access this information at the border from 2025.

Please ensure you travel with your physical immigration documents until they expire even if you have access to an eVisa.

Travelling in and out of the UK

You should continue to have your physical immigration documents and passport with you when you travel until they expire, even if you now have access to your UKVI account and eVisa. If, for whatever reason, you have not been able to transition to an eVisa before you travel before 31 March 2025, you will need to continue to carry your expired physical immigration documents, as this will add to the range of checking options available to carriers.

From 2025, carriers will be able to see your legal status in the UK via your passport. This means you will need to ensure you have created your eVisa before travelling. It is essential that you ensure your eVisa is linked to the passport you are travelling on.

If your passport details need to be updated, this can be done on the gov.uk website. Please ensure that the changes are confirmed by the Home Office ahead of your travel to avoid problems at the border.

Watch this video from the Home Office about how to travel with your eVisa.

Frequently asked questions about eVisas

You may have lots of questions about eVisas. If your query is not answered below please get in touch so we can advise you.

I start my course in September 2024 but my student visa BRP expires in December 2024, what do I need to do?

You will be issued a vignette and BRP to prove your immigration status. When you arrive in the UK, please collect your BRP at the location stated in your decision letter. It is important you do so in order to enable you to travel for the remainder of 2024.

After collecting your BRP, you can then create your UKVI account following the instructions above.

I am a returning student who previously had a physical document but now have access to my eVisa. Do I need to share this with City?

Please use this form to provide City St George’s with your Sharecode.

I have lost my BRP card, can I create a UKVI account without this?

You should apply for a replacement BRP in order to enable you to travel until the end of 2024.

I have a legacy document but no passport, can I access an eVisa?

Yes, you should make a No Time Limit (NTL) application which will grant you a BRP. You can then use this to obtain an eVisa. Towards the end of 2024, NTL applications will give access directly to a UKVI account without the need for a BRP.

I am a new student, what immigration documents will I need to provide at registration?

Please provide your physical documents at registration. If you have also obtained your eVisa at the point of registering, we would ask that you please also provide your Sharecode. If you do not yet have access to your eVisa at the point of registration, we will contact you via email to obtain this at a later date.

What should I do with my physical documents after they expire?

You must keep hold of your documents as you may need them for future UK visa applications.

I have planned travel out of the UK for the Christmas break, what do I need to bring with me to prove my immigration status?

You will need to bring your physical immigration documents with you until they expire, even if you have access to your eVisa. From 2025, you will need to travel on the passport which is linked to your eVisa to enter the UK. If you need to update your passport details, you should do so here.

Please note, the changes must be confirmed by the Home Office before you travel. Minor changes will likely be updated quickly, but more complex changes (such as change in name) may take longer.

What happens if I don’t create my UKVI account before my BRP expires?

You will still be able to create a UKVI account in order to access your eVisa after your BRP expires. But please note, you will be unable to travel until you have valid proof of immigration status.

I haven’t received an email invite to create my UKVI account, can I access my eVisa?

Yes, you do not need an invite to create your account.

Further guidance for eVisas can be found on the gov.uk website.

I have a question which is not addressed here, who can I contact for more information?

Please contact the Visa Compliance Team via Support@City