The UK Visas and Immigration Service (UKVI) is moving to a digital immigration system. That means physical visas in the form of vignettes (passport stickers), Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and wet ink stamps given at the Border are being replaced with an electronic record called an eVisa.

Some students will already have immigration status in the form of an eVisa only, or if you applied for your visa using the IDV app you may already have both an eVisa and a BRP.

If you have a BRP only, and your immigration permission extends beyond the end of December 2024, your BRP will expire on 31 December 2024. The information below explains what is going to happen during this year so that you can update your physical document to an eVisa.

faq

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.  

Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. 

In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one. 

The benefits of eVisas include: 

  • they are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document 
  • you will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this 
  • it will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords 

This video from UKVI explains more about what an eVisa is.

How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?

Everyone is now eligible to create their UKVI account and access their eVisa. Please visit the UK Government website to create your account. There is also a video available to show you how to create your account and access your eVisa.

Once you’ve created your UKVI account you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa. 

Do I need to let Imperial know if I have obtained an eVisa?

The College is required to always have on your record evidence of your immigration permission to be 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 and generate a Share Code so that the College can check your immigration status. You must select the option to prove your immigration status (do not use the right to work or right to rent options). The share code details need to be entered on the My Visa section of My Imperial. Please enter the share code in the visa number field. You will also need to upload a PDF document of the share code.

Where can I get more information?

Have a look at the detailed information on the UKVI webpages about eVisas. If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please contact International Student Support directly.