Get an eVisa
The UK has moved to a digital immigration system. This means that the UK will stop issuing physical immigration documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).
Instead, everyone granted a visa to come to the UK for more than six months will be able to access and prove their immigration status online using a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This online record of your immigration status is called an eVisa.
If you already have a visa to be in the UK longer than six months, then you can get access to your eVisa now.
If you are granted permission to come to or stay in the UK for longer than six months after 1 November 2024 you will be given instructions on how to get access to your eVisa in the decision email you receive from UKVI.
You will not receive an eVisa if your visa is shorter than six months.
Learn about eVisas and why you need one on the UK Government website, or watch this What is an eVisa? video.
What to do if you have a BRP
If you have a BRP that expired on 31 December 2024, you must create a UKVI account to access your eVisa unless you already have a UKVI account. You don’t need to wait for an invitation email before you start the process.
All BRPs expired at the end of 2024, even if your visa has been granted for longer. If your visa expires after 31 December 2024, you will now need to use your eVisa to prove your immigration status instead of your BRP.
If you have dependants in the UK, they must create separate UKVI accounts to access their eVisas.
You should keep your expired BRP and continue to carry it with you when travelling to the UK. Your expired BRP will be useful for your records, and you may be able to use it when making future applications to stay in the UK.
What to do if you applied for your visa outside the UK
If you are granted a visa to come to the UK for more than six months, you will receive an entry vignette sticker in your passport. This entry vignette will be valid for 90 days only and it is intended for your first journey to the UK.
Information about how to access your eVisa will be sent to you by UKVI when your visa is granted. You will need to create a UKVI account to get access to your full eVisa. If you are not able to create your UKVI account before you arrive in the UK, then you can use your entry vignette to travel to the UK and then create your UKVI account after you have arrived.
What to do if you applied to extend your visa inside the UK
If you apply to switch to or extend your Student visa inside the UK you will not receive a new BRP. Information about how to access your eVisa will be sent to you by UKVI when your visa is granted.
If you already have a UKVI account this will be updated with the details of your new eVisa. If you don’t already have a UKVI account you will need to create one.
How to create your UKVI account
Information on how to create a UKVI account and link your eVisa is available on the UK Government website.You can also Watch this video, How to Create a UKVI Account, for guidance.
When you set up your account, you must link it to details you use regularly so you can log in to your account in future. You’ll need to provide:
- Your BRP number or your visa application reference number
- A mobile phone number
- An email address
You’ll also be asked to verify your identity using the UK Immigration ID Check App. You will need access to a smartphone and your passport or expired BRP. Learn more about the app, including how to scan your BRP or passport.
If you can’t create a UKVI account or access your eVisa
Read GOV.UK’s eVisa information or ask UKVI for advice on accessing your eVisa.
Using your eVisa to check and prove your immigration status
You can sign in to your UKVI account using the view and prove your immigration status service to:
View your eVisa details and check what rights you have in the UK
Create a ‘share code’ to prove your status to others, including employers, landlords and others
If there’s an error with your BRP or eVisa
Find more information on how to correct visa errors.
Keep your UKVI account details up-to-date
You must keep your UKVI account updated with your current personal details (including your name, nationality, appearance), passport, and contact details (address, email and phone number). If any of these details change, you must update your UKVI account using the Update your UKVI account details service.
You must make sure that your current passport or travel document is linked to your UKVI account. Use the Update your UKVI account details service to check and update the documents linked to your account.
If your name, nationality or date of birth have changed, you will be given instructions on how to send your new passport to UKVI so that they can update your account details.
If you don’t have a Tier 4 or Student visa
Complete the e-Visa Document Upload form and include a share code to allow us to update our records with your correct visa expiry date.
You must be logged in with your University of Leeds Microsoft account to access the eVisa Document Upload Form.
If you see a ‘You do not have permission’ error when you attempt to open the form, please follow these instructions:
- open www.office.com
- click on your initials or photo on the top right of the page and select ‘sign out’
- close your browser
- re-open the browser, go to Office.com and log in using your University of Leeds email and password
- re-open the eVisa Document Upload Form.
If this solution doesn’t fix the issue, you should try using a private browsing window to access the form.
How to use your eVisa to travel to the UK
When you are travelling, UK Border Force and airlines and other carriers will be able to digitally check your immigration status if the passport or travel document that you are travelling with has been linked to your UKVI account.
Find more information on travelling with your eVisa.
Who to contact if you need further help with your eVisa
If you can’t get the help you need directly from UKVI, email the University’s Student Visa Advice team at studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk. Include your student ID number and screenshots of the problem with your email.