Online immigration status (eVisa)

An eVisa is record of your immigration status stored online and accessed through a UKVI account. You will be able to use your eVisa to travel to the UK alongside your passport which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you will still need to carry your BRP card when you travel, if you have one.

What is an eVisa?

Which documents will be replaced by the eVisa

• Biometric residence permits (BRP)
• Biometric residence cards (BRC)
• Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
• Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes

Important: You should still keep hold of your BRP card for future use, as it could potentially be used to scan the chip for your biometrics information for future UK visa applications. 

What you will receive

If you received an online immigration status (eVisa) upon being granted your visa, you will not receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

You will receive an email from UKVI, which will include details of your immigration permission. This email will include:

• Your visa start and end dates
• The conditions of your immigration permission (what you can and cannot do whilst in the UK)
• Your sponsor university (Goldsmiths, University of London) and the name of the programme you will be studying (if you have been granted a student visa)

Carefully check the email making sure the length of your course, name of your sponsor and course are all correct. If any of the details are incorrect, please contact the Immigration Advice Service.

UKVI Account

If you currently have a valid BRP or another document in the list of documents which will be replaced by the eVisa, you will need to apply for a UKVI account.

Applying for a UKVI account is free and you must apply before the end of 2024. You must make sure that you keep your BRP card even once it has expired as it may be useful for future applications to stay in the UK.

Find out how to create a UK Visa and Immigration account.

Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, you must keep your passport or ID card details up to date on your UKVI account and inform UKVI of any changes. 

Find out how to gain access to your eVisa.

Viewing and proving your status

To prove your immigration status, you will need to provide a copy of your ‘share code’ to the Immigration Advice Service team.

If you are a new student, you will be required to provide this information as part of your online enrolment. Your share code will then be used to verify your immigration status and a copy of this verification will be saved to your student record.

Generate your share code on GOV.UK.

Your share code will be valid for 3 months.

Travelling outside of the UK once you have an eVisa

Watch this short video from UKVI to explain how to travel with your eVisa.

You should continue to carry and use your BRP if travelling and returning to the UK within its validity date and also keep it in your possession when travelling up until 31 March 2025.

Your eVisa must be linked to your current passport in your UKVI account. Update your UKVI account as soon as you can with details of a new passport, and at least several days before you travel if possible, as the updates do not always take effect immediately. If you don’t receive confirmation your account has updated, carry your old passport with you are well if possible.

The Home Office has been taking steps to allow carriers such as airlines, ferry, and international train operators, to securely and automatically access your immigration status when you present your travel document which is linked to your UKVI account.

Please keep hold of the BRP card after its expiry date, as the biometrics information could potentially be used as part of a future UK visa application if necessary.