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Important updates regarding UK visa/immigration status

Student in the Kitchen at CCI, sitting down and working on a laptop.
  • Written byStudent communications
  • Published date 10 December 2024
Student in the Kitchen at CCI, sitting down and working on a laptop.
Student in the kitchen at CCI | Photography: Alys Tomlinson

As you may be aware, the UK’s Home Office is moving to a digital immigration system. Physical visa documents are being replaced with an electronic visa (eVisa). This is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your visa.

Most physical visa documents (including BRPs) will expire on 31 December 2024. Please note: entry vignettes which will continue to be issued into 2025.

What you need to do:

You should obtain an eVisa before your physical visa documents expire. If you have not done this yet, you should now do so as soon as possible.

To obtain your eVisa, you need to register for a UKVI account. Watch a video from the Home Office explaining the process.

When you have registered for a UKVI account and have access to your eVisa, you should provide your College with a share code. Read more on the UAL website.

If you already have an eVisa and have provided your share code to the University, thank you.

What if I am travelling between now and the start of next term (January 2025)?

To ensure a smooth process at the border, we strongly encourage you to obtain an eVisa before travelling.

It is important to take the following action before you travel:

  • Register for a UKVI account and get your eVisa.
  • Check that the passport details on your UKVI account are correct. From 01 January 2025, you will be able to use your passport and eVisa to travel into the UK.

Ensure you have your BRP or any physical visa document with you until it expires, even if you have obtained an eVisa.

If you have not been able to get an eVisa yet

If you have not had confirmation of your eVisa and leave the UK, you should be able to re-enter the UK using your expired BRP or BRC. This is a relaxation of the rules following an update from the Home Office. Expired BRP and BRC documents may be used as evidence of permission to travel to the UK up until 31 March 2025 (this end date subject to review).

We are aware that some students have faced technical difficulties when trying to get an eVisa. In these cases:

  • Carry your physical visa documents with you, even if they have expired.
  • Use the ‘View and Prove’ service, print your visa status and keep this with you if you are travelling.

If you are unable to get an eVisa, ensure that you have brought this to the attention of your course team.

Need help?

UKVI have set up systems to resolve any issues and you can contact them directly. UAL cannot guarantee how long it may take to be resolved.

After submitting a request to UKVI, if you have other questions related to your immigration permissions you can contact UAL's Student Advice Service.