Immigration status: eVisa

Your eVisa

The Home Office is changing the way in which individuals prove their immigration status in the UK. The new system will replace physical documents such as BRPs and passports containing a vignette with a new digital immigration status known as an ‘e-Visa’. This will become effective from 01 January 2025. This includes students who have already been granted a Student visa with an expiry date later than 31 December 2024 but their BRP card expires on that date. An eVisa is a digital immigration status which provides proof of your immigration permission and will allow organisations such as employers, landlords and universities, to check and verify your immigration status to assess your right to work, rent or study in the UK.

All visa-holders must now sign up and create their UKVI account and get access to their eVisa if they have not already done so.

Through the transition period between now and the 31 December 2024, anyone holding a BRP must continue to carry this when travelling until their BRP expires.

As of 07 August 2024, any student with a BRP expiring on 31 December 2024 can create a UKVI account and access their eVisa, without needing an invitation from UKVI to do so.

The e-Visa is completely free - be aware of scams if you have been asked to provide bank details or pay.

What is an eVisa

How do I create a UKVI account?

You will first need either your BRP number or visa application number (starting UAN or GWF). Your visa application number will have been sent to you via email or post by UKVI.

If you do not have any of the above information, please visit: Online immigration status (eVisa) - (www.gov.uk)

In addition to your BRP or visa application number, you will also need to provide your:

Passport/BRP for identity purposes
Date of Birth
Email address
UK mobile phone number
Access to the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app (you can download this app from the Google Play Store and App Store for iOS)

Once you have the above information, complete the following 3 steps to create the UKVI account:

Create a UKVI account
If UKVI have advised you to create an account, follow their instructions, otherwise visit: Online immigration status (eVisa) - (www.gov.uk)
Confirm your Identity
This is done via an app: UK Immigration: ID Check
Link your UKVI account to your eVisa
UKVI will notify you when your eVisa is available to view - in some cases, this could take a few days.

Once you have linked your UKVI account with your eVisa you must provide evidence of your eVisa to the University of Reading by completing the Prove your eVisa status form. You will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team once your student record has been updated.

Full details on linking your UKVI account with your eVisa can be found here: Access your eVisa - (www.gov.uk)

Information on creating a UKVI account is available in the Home Office video How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa.

What will happen if I do not create a UKVI account?

You will not be issued with an eVisa, which means you will have no way to prove your immigration status if you leave the UK and wish to re-enter after 31^st December 2024.

If the University has not verified your visa after the expiry of your BRP, you risk suspension from your course and disruption to your studies.

When should I create a UKVI account?

As of 7^th August 2024, any student with a BRP expiring on 31^st December 2024 can now create a UKVI account and access their eVisa, without needing an invitation from UKVI to do so.

The e-Visa is completely free - be aware of scams if you have been asked to provide bank details or pay.

You should create your UKVI account as soon as possible to prevent future delays, but the absolute deadline is the expiry of your BRP card i.e. 31/12/2024.

Viewing and sharing your eVisa

Once you have a UKVI account, you will be able to access your eVisa to view the details of your immigration visa permission, its expiry date and conditions such as work permission. You will also be able to share information about your immigration status and conditions using the view and prove service by getting a share code. A share code gives time limited access to relevant data on your UKVI account.

You will also need a share code for an employer to use to check your right to work, or for a landlord or agent if you will be renting privately.

A share code is valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times during its 90-day validity period.

Do all students have to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa?

Some students have a UKVI account and eVisa already.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who were able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to verify their identity for a Student visa application instead of attending a biometrics appointment
Students who applied in the UK for a Student visa for a new course or extension of study and were able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Note if you are a visa national you might have been given a new BRP as well as having an eVisa
Some students with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled or settled status
Some students studying on a BN(O) visa
Some students who applied under one of the Ukraine schemes

If you hold a physical BRP it is unlikely you already have an eVisa, so you need to take action to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.

Do I need to pay to create a UKVI account?

Do I need to update my UKVI account once I have created it?

You must update your UKVI account with any changes to your details e.g. passport, name, nationality, contact details: Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You must also update your UKVI account when you receive a new passport or if you have multiple valid passports which you use to travel. Once your account is updated, you must then link your eVisa to all passports you use to travel to the UK with.

You must also update the university student account if your UK address and contact telephone number changes. You can do this by logging into the RISIS portal and updating your details.

You must also update the university if your passport changes by sending a copy of your new document to immigration@reading.ac.uk

I need help with the eVisa process

You can ask questions to UKVI about the eVisa process by using the eVisa Webchat.

If you are having trouble creating your UKVI account or accessing your eVisa, the International Student Advisory Team are running drop-in workshops where a member of the team will be available to assist you.

Where:
Palmer G09

When:
Monday 04 November 10am-2pm
Tuesday 05 November 10am-12pm
Wednesday 06 November 10am-12pm
Thursday 07 November 10am-12pm
Friday 08 November 10am-12pm

Please note that the workshops will be on a first come first served basis. Therefore, depending on demand, you may be asked to leave and return at a later date. The purpose of these workshops is to assist students who are encountering problems, therefore, if you have not attempted to complete the process yourself, you will be asked to do so before receiving assistance.

Please ensure you arrive between the workshop times. Last entry into the workshops will be 30 minutes before the end of the session.

I have created a UKVI account and accessed my eVisa. Do I still need to carry my BRP when I travel?

Once your eVisa has been created it will be linked to your identity document.

If you are travelling outside the UK in 2024, you must continue to carry your BRP with you if you have one. This is because the system for checking eVisas used by airlines, rail and ferry companies will not be live until the 1^st January 2025. Therefore, you must continue to evidence your immigration status through the physical documents you currently hold until those documents expire.

Is my eVisa length and expiry correct?

Although your BRP will show an expiry date of 31 December 2024, remember that this is not the same as your immigration permission expiry date. It is important that you check the length of your eVisa, as any errors must be reported to UKVI straight away.

You can check your visa expiry date on your visa decision letter, which will have been emailed to you (or your agent/solicitor, if applicable) by UKVI when your visa was approved, or by checking your eVisa details by logging into your UKVI account through the View and Prove website.

If you are not sure or think an error has been made, please contact the International Student Advisory Team as soon as possible at immigration@reading.ac.uk

A course of 12 months or longer will allow you a grace period of 4 months
If your course is between 6 and 12 months induration, you are granted a grace period of 2 months after your course
For pre-sessional courses of less than 6 months, the grace period will be one month

If you are not sure or think an error has been made, please contact the International Student Advisory Team as soon as possible at immigration@reading.ac.uk

Can I travel outside the UK and return after my BRP expires on the 31 December 2024?

Yes, as long as your immigration permission is still valid after 31 December 2024. If you will travel outside of the UK after your BRP expires then you must ensure you have created a UKVI account and have linked your eVisa to your account before you return to the UK. Airlines may check your eVisa to allow you to travel and the Border Force Officer will check your eVisa on arrival.

Travelling with an eVisa

Once your eVisa has been created it will be linked to your identity document (passport/travel document).

If you are travelling outside the UK in 2024, please continue carrying your BRP if you have one with you.

Before travelling:

You can check and view your eVisa by logging into your UKVI account through the View and Prove website.

If you receive a new passport after applying or receiving your e-Visa, you must update your UK Visas & Immigration account with the new passport number before travelling.

For some nationals, you will continue to have a 90-day visa sticker put in your passport to use the first time you travel to the UK. If you do not have a visa sticker in your passport, you will just be using your eVisa. You must make sure that you enter the UK on or after the start date of your visa sticker or eVisa. If you enter before this date, you will likely need to leave the UK and come back again within the validity of your eVisa or visa sticker.

When you pass through UK immigration control, you will need to present your passport (and BRP if you have one) to the Border Force Officer.

Depending on your nationality, some students will have the choice of passing through the eGates instead of seeing an Immigration Officer. In this situation, it's important that you make sure your passport details are up to date.

I have a new passport, what do I need to do?

You must link your new passport to your eVisa, otherwise your eVisa will be invalid and you won’t be able to cross the UK border.

Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details

Please ensure you allow time for your account to update before you need to travel. It could take up to 3 days for your UKVI account to update with new passport details.

You must also update the university if your passport changes by sending a copy of your new document to immigration@reading.ac.uk

I am a new student who can access my eVisa and a BRP – do I need to collect my BRP?

Yes, if you have been issued a BRP you must collect the BRP within 10 days of arriving in the UK. You should continue to use your BRP for travel until it expires.

If you have selected to collect your BRP from the University, you will receive an email to confirm when your BRP has been received and is ready for collection. The BRP must be collected from the International Student Advisory Team located at the Student Services reception in the Carrington Building (building 135 on the Campus map). Collections can be made Monday – Friday between 10am – 4pm.

If you have selected to collect your BRP from a Post Office, the Post Office details will be confirmed on your visa decision letter.

I am a current student. How should I share my eVisa with the University?

If you are a current student at the University, you should create your UKVI account as soon as possible. Once you have done this and linked your eVisa to your account, you should generate a share code to share your Immigration status with the University. You can do this by completing this online form to notify us of your share code details.

The International Student Advisory Team will use your share code to carry out a verification check via the GOV.UK check someone’s immigration status website, and you will be emailed once we have updated your student record. Please bear in mind we will have a large volume of verification checks to carry out, so after completion of the form you will not receive immediate confirmation that the verification check has been completed.

I am a new student at the University of Reading. How should I share my eVisa with the University?

If you are commencing your studies with the University between August and 31^st December 2024 then you should collect your BRP, if issued one. You should also access your UKVI account and eVisa to share with the University. You can do this in two ways:

Bring your BRP, passport and share code with you to your visa check at in person enrolment

After completing in person enrolment, generate a share code to share your immigration status with us and complete this online form. If you do this, please be aware you still need to attend your in-person enrolment and visa check.

Useful Links

More resources for International Students