Online immigration status (eVisas)

Students who have still not applied for an Evisa (original deadline was 31 December 2024) may be able to use their expired BRP to travel to the UK until 1 June 2025.

For All Students

Important news if you hold a physical immigration document

If you have a physical immigration document eg visa vignette, you must complete the following steps:

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

You may still able to use your expired physical immigration documentation, such as a Biometric Residence Permit, until 1 June 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 1 June 2025.

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

eVisas include benefits such as instant, accurate and secure proof of immigration status, reducing 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 has replaced BRP cards and other expired physical documents will and will be the only way to prove immigration status.

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

Who will this impact?

You will need to transition to an eVisa if you have previously used 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 an expired 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. 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 an expired BRP, you can create your UKVI account now by visiting the gov.uk website until at least 1 June 2025.

Legacy document holders

If you hold a legacy document (such as a stamp in your passport or vignette), with indefinite permission to stay in the UK, you will need to make a No Time Limit application at: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk and once this approved you will be invited to apply for an 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. You will need to make an application at: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk and once this is approved you will be invited to apply for an eVisa.

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 must be linked to your passport. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport details in your eVisa record are uptodate. Carriers should be able to access this information at the border when you travel.

Please continue to 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 to the UK before 1st June 2025, you will need to continue to carry your expired or current physical immigration documents, as this will add to the range of checking options available to carriers.

Carriers should also 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 started my course in September 2024 but my student visa BRP expired in December 2024, what do I need to do?

You should already have applied for an eVisa and if not can do so using your expired BRP card until at least 1 June 2025

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?

Yes if you still have the details up and until 1 June 2025. Alternatively you may be able to use previous immigration application number starting 3434 or your passport

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

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

We would advise that you keep these safe and keep them with you when you travel and also in case you need them for future UK visa applications.

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

You can still travel with your expired BRP until 1June 2025 if you have valid immigration permission. However we would advise that you do not rely on this and apply and ensure that you have access to your eVisa.

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 on the gov.uk website.

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 a 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 until 1 June 2025. But please note, you may face delays when travelling into the UK.

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

If you have a question which is not addressed here, please contact the Visa Compliance Team via Support@City for more information

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

Please contact the International Student Advice Team via Support@City

What should I do if there is an error with my eVisa?

The following errors can be reported at: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

if the details on your eVisa were wrong when you got access to it - for example your name has been spelled incorrectly.
if you can view your eVisa but you cannot use it to get a share code.
ifthe Home Office has set up your UKVI account but you’ve never been able to access it.