Your eVisa
eVisas
The Home Office is replacing physical visas e.g. visa stickers in passports and BRPs with an online immigration system called an ‘eVisa’. This means when your student visa application is successful, your eVisa will be linked with your passport.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital immigration document that confirms your visa status and allows UK organisations i.e. universities, employers and landlords etc. to verify your immigration status in the UK.
How to get access to eVisa?
Students who are already in the UK, or applied for a visa in the UK
If you applied for a new student visa or a student visa extension in the UK, you will be advised to use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app, which means you will be able to access your eVisa when your application is successful.
If you are a current student with a BRP and transitioning into the eVisa system, see our webpage for further information.
Students who are applying for visa outside the UK
You should follow the student visa online application procedure and it will prompt you if you need to create a UKVI account as part of the visa application process. If you are asked to use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check’ mobile app to create a UKVI account, you will be able to access your eVisa when your application is successful. You will receive a visa decision email from the UKVI showing your visa expiry date. The email will advise you how to access your eVisa.
How to create a UKVI account?
If you did not use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app as part of your visa application, you will receive a 90-day visa sticker in your passport when your visa application is successful and the UKVI email will advise you to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. As part of the process, you'll be prompted to scan your passport (or BRP card) using the IDV check app. This is a free to use service. Make sure to complete all the remaining steps after using the app to finish setting up your account.
Watch this YouTube video about creating a UKVI account to get access to your eVisa
Download the UK Immigration: ID Check app
iPhone users: Download the app from the Apple Store
Android users: Download the app from the Google Play Store
After you’ve created an account, the UKVI will link your eVisa with your passport so you can access your eVisa via the view and prove your immigration status service. The UKVI will email you when your eVisa is ready to view.
Share codes and how to view and prove your immigration status
A share code is a nine-digit alpha-numerical code that is provided by the UK government as part of the eVisa process, and it enables you to verify your immigration status in the UK to your university, your employer, your landlord, or anyone else who needs proof of your immigration status. You can view your immigration status and also generate a share code via the view and prove your immigration status website.
Watch this YouTube video on how to prove your immigration status with an eVisa
Traveling with an eVisa
When your student visa is granted, you will receive an email from the UKVI showing your visa expiry date and how to access your eVisa.
Watch this YouTube video on how to travel with your eVisa.
Report errors on your eVisa
You must check your eVisa for any errors. Errors on your eVisa must be reported as soon as you notice these. If you have spotted an error e.g. name or length of the visa, you must immediately seek advice from an immigration adviser by attending one of our online Immigration Drop-in Sessions.