eVisa

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Who needs an eVisa 

All students applying for Student visas for longer than 6 months will receive an eVisa.  You will need to create a UKVI account (Gov.uk) to view your eVisa.  

If you had a BRP and have not created a UKVI account to get access to your eVisa you will need create a UKVI account first to view it.  If you have any problems with this please email student-visas@bristol.ac.uk 

Creating a UKVI account and proving your immigration status

Creating a UKVI account

  • if you used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to apply for your visa or previously had an eVisa, you will already have a UKVI account and will receive an eVisa.  You will be able to view your eVisa in your account when your visa is granted or
  • follow the instructions in your visa decision email to create a UKVI account 
  • ensure both you and any dependants can view your own eVisa accounts
  • check your personal details (e.g. name, nationality, date of birth or sex marker) are correct
  • If you think there is an error on your eVisa report an error with your eVisa (Gov.uk) online within 10 days of receiving your UKVI account details.  See Correcting an error on your visa for details.

Proving your immigration status

Once you have created an account for your eVisa, you can use the ‘view and prove’ service to:

  • view your immigration status and its conditions 
  • get a share code (beginning with the letter ‘S’) to prove your right to study, select ‘another reason’ (not work or accommodation) to create a code starting with ‘S’ for study.  You will also require this share code for registering at the University when you attend a Student document check
  • get a share code to prove your immigration status to others, for example, employers, landlords or airline staff
  • share codes can be used multiple times and are valid for 90 days

Update your personal information

Use the UKVI (Home Office) website to update any personal information such as, if you have a new passport or change of address. 

It is very important to update any changes prior to travelling.

Your eVisa and travelling

  • link the passport you will use to travel to your eVisa. You must do this before travelling Update your account (Gov.uk) if necessary
  • airlines should be able to check your immigration status automatically with the UKVI  
  • generate a share code prior to travel from the view and prove service to share with the airline if necessary.  Please see the section 'How to prove your immigration status' below for full details.  

View How to Travel With Your eVisa (youtube) for further details.

Read Guidance - Check your eVisa is correct before you travel - How to check your eVisa details are correct before you travel in or out of the UK 

UKVI support videos and further help

View the UKVI's 'how to' eVisa support videos for help with accessing and using your eVisa, proving your immigration status, information on how to travel with your eVisa as well as updating and recovering your UKVI eVisa account. 

Also see the UKCISA Frequently Asked Questions webpage