eVisas
New students! You must create a UKVI account to get access to your Student eVisa before travelling.
If you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app as part of your visa application, you will already have an eVisa. Sign in to the to view your eVisa.
An eVisa is a digital immigration status which provides proof of your visa and allows organisations such as employers, landlords and universities to check and verify your immigration status to assess your right to access those services. In most cases, an eVisa will be the only evidence you have of your permission to be in the UK.
Since the end of December 2024, this online status has replaced any physical evidence of a visa such as a BRP card or a stamp in your passport.
to prove your age, so you don’t have to carry your passport around with you.
Who will have an eVisa?
Students who have applied for a visa from outside the UK
You will receive an .
If you did not use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app as part of your visa application, you will need to in order to access your eVisa.
If your course is less than 6 months, may receive a vignette (sticker in passport) instead. Check your decision email from UKVI carefully for details.
Students who have applied for a visa from inside the UK
You will receive an .
EU Settlement Scheme
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and have been granted pre-settled or settled status under the , you will receive an eVisa.
How to create a UKVI account
If you did not use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app as part of your visa application, you will need to in order to access your eVisa. You will need:
- a phone number and email address that you can use again, as you will need them each time you prove your immigration status online
- your visa application number – this is a Global Web Form (GWF) number or Unique Application Number (UAN)
- a valid passport
- Watch the instructions in this .
- Download the app.
- Go to this and scroll down to “Start now”.
- Answer the questions as they appear.
- You will be instructed to scan your passport via the app. If you cannot use the app for any reason, watch this and follow the instructions. You will be able to complete all tasks on your laptop or phone by uploading a copy of your passport, taking a selfie-style photo, and scanning your face.
- You must complete all sections after the app in order to finish creating your account.
- Wait for an email to confirm that your eVisa is ready to view.
Contact International Student Advice if you need help at any stage.
View & Prove your immigration status
You will receive a letter or email from UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) confirming the grant of your immigration permission. This will explain if your immigration status can be accessed online. If this is the case, you will need to log into your account on this page: and generate a share code.
The type of share code you generate will depend on who you need to prove your status to. To evidence your Right to Study, you should select the 'anything else' option when prompted to ensure the correct type of share code is generated for the University to view.
Travel with an eVisa
Before travelling: If you have received a new passport since applying for your visa, you must with the new passport number before travelling.
Travel date: When travelling to the UK for the first time using your eVisa, you must enter the UK after the visa start date listed on your status. If you enter before this date, you will likely need to leave the UK and re-enter.
Going through Immigration Control: When you pass through UK immigration control, you will need to present your passport to the Border Force officer.
Depending on your nationality ), some students may have the option of using the eGates instead of speaking to an Immigration Officer. In this situation, it is vital that your passport details are up to date.
Update your UKVI account
If there are any changes to your personal details during your studies, you must ensure you keep both the University and UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) informed.
Update UKVI by signing into your and making the changes there.
Update the University. For details of how to do this, see the Updating your personal details page.
Report an error
When you receive your email from UK Visas & Immigration confirming the grant of your immigration permission, you should check that the details are correct.
If there are errors, you should to UK Visas & Immigration as soon as possible. UKVI will contact you within 10 working days to either confirm the correction or ask for more detail. If you need help making this report, contact International Student Advice.
Common errors
Expiry date
The amount of time you are given after your studies depends on the length of your programme:
| Programme length | Additional time normally given after programme end date |
|---|---|
| 12 months or more | +4 months (PhD students extending their visa for less than 12 months should still get a 4?month post?study period) |
| Between 6 and less than 12 months | +2 months |
| Pre-sessional programmes less than 6 months | +1 month |
| All other programmes less than 6 months | +7 days |
Work conditions
Another common error is around work conditions. Read through the information on our Working in the UK page to check you have the correct type of work permissions on your Student visa.
Technical issues
Trouble generating a share code? Check you are using the correct passport or BRP card to sign in – you must use the document you used for your most recent visa application. If you have checked this and there is still a problem, call UKVI on +44 (0)300 790 6268, select option 3, then option 2.
Been waiting a long time for your eVisa to be ready (the ‘second’ email)? If it has been over 1 week since you submitted the application to create an online account, call UKVI on +44 (0)300 790 6268, select option 3, then option 2.
If you would like help to make this call, come to our drop-in (Mondays & Fridays, 2pm–4pm, check in at the SID desk in The Forum).
Having trouble accessing your eVisa?
See us in a drop-in session throughout term time for advice and information on how to use the eVisa system.
Exeter
- Mondays & Fridays (2pm–4pm). Check in at the SID desk in The Forum.
Penryn (Cornwall)
- Monday (10am–12 noon), Wednesday (1pm–3pm). Come to the International Student Advice office, Peter Lanyon room A054 (opposite lecture theatre 5).
Quick links
| What do you want to do? | Sign in on this page | |
|---|---|---|
| See your visa details | Once signed in, you'll be able to see the length of visa, type of permission and any conditions attached. | |
| Add current or new passport | Go to Personal Details tab and select ‘add identity document’. | |
| Evidence your visa to someone |
Click generate share code and choose the reason: Keep selecting generate share code until you have a code that you can email to the person who requested it. |
|
| Update your address, phone number, email or photo | Go to Personal Details or Contact Details tab to update relevant information. | |
| Report an error with your eVisa | You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, nationality, an email address and details of the error. |
For further help, you can watch a step by step tutorial on any of these topics: .