Visa8 min read · Updated 24 August 2026

UK eVisa Guide for International Students (2026)

The UK replaced physical BRP cards with a digital eVisa from 1 January 2025. Your immigration status now lives online — here is how to access it, prove it, and what to do when it goes wrong.

BRP cards are no longer issued

Since 1 January 2025, all UK immigration permissions are digital. If you applied for a Student visa after this date, you received an eVisa — not a card. If you had a BRP, it expired on 31 December 2024 and was replaced by your eVisa.

What is a UK eVisa?

An eVisa (electronic visa) is a digital record of your permission to be in the UK. It is stored in a secure government database and linked to your passport. There is no physical document — your visa status is proven online using a share code.

You access your eVisa through a personal UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account at gov.uk. This account shows your visa type, expiry date, conditions (e.g. work restrictions), and lets you generate share codes for employers, landlords, and universities.

What it replaced

Before Jan 2025

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) — plastic card with chip

From Jan 2025

eVisa — digital record linked to your passport

How you proved your status

Show the physical BRP card

How you prove it now

Generate a 9-character share code online

Step 1 — Create your UKVI account

Before you can see your eVisa, you need a UKVI account. This is separate from any account you used to apply for your visa. Go to gov.uk/get-access-evisa and follow these steps:

Go to gov.uk/get-access-evisa

Select "Create a UKVI account". You will need your passport, a working email address, and a UK phone number (for verification). If you do not yet have a UK number, use the phone number you applied with initially — you can update it later.

Verify your identity

You will be asked to scan your passport using the UKVI app (available on iOS and Android) or via your desktop browser with a webcam. The system checks your biometric chip. This usually takes 5–10 minutes.

Link your visa to your account

Once your identity is verified, UKVI will automatically link any active UK visa permissions to your account. You should see your Student visa with its expiry date and conditions within a few minutes.

Save your login details securely

Your UKVI account email and password are essential documents. Store them in a password manager. If you lose access, recovery requires proof of identity and can take several weeks.

Do this before you arrive in the UK. You can create your UKVI account from any country. Doing it before you land means you can prove your right to rent and work immediately on arrival — without waiting days for account verification.

Step 2 — Access and check your eVisa

Once your UKVI account is set up, log in at gov.uk/view-immigration-status. You will see:

Your visa type — e.g. Student (Tier 4) or Student visa under the Points Based System.

Your expiry date — check this matches your CAS / entry clearance vignette sticker.

Your work conditions — typically "work permitted (20 hours maximum per week during term time)" for a standard Student visa.

The passport it is linked to — critical: if you renew your passport, you must update your UKVI account to link the new one.

Step 3 — Generate a share code

A share code is a unique 9-character alphanumeric code you generate inside your UKVI account. You give it to whoever needs to verify your immigration status — a landlord, an employer, or your university. They enter it at gov.uk/view-right-to-work or gov.uk/view-right-to-rent along with your date of birth.

Employer

gov.uk/view-right-to-work

Required before your first day. They must check it before you start work — not after.

Landlord / letting agent

gov.uk/view-right-to-rent

Required before you sign a tenancy. Landlords are legally obligated to check this.

University / college

gov.uk/view-right-to-study

May be requested at enrolment to confirm you hold a valid Student visa.

Share codes are valid for 90 days. Generate a new one each time you need to prove your status. Do not reuse old codes — they expire and will show as invalid.

If you renew your passport

This is one of the most common issues international students face. Your eVisa is linked to a specific passport. If you get a new passport (e.g. yours expired or was renewed), you must update your UKVI account to link it to the new passport number.

Select "Update my passport".

Upload a photo of your new passport

The system will re-verify your biometrics using the new document. This can take up to 3 working days.

Generate a new share code once linked

Any share codes generated under your old passport number will no longer be valid after the update.

Do not travel without updating first. UK Border Force uses your passport number to match your eVisa. If your new passport is not linked, you may be denied boarding or face delays at the border.

Lost access to your UKVI account?

This happens more often than you would expect — a lost phone, a changed email address, or a forgotten password can lock you out. Here is what to do:

Forgotten password: Use the "Forgot password" link at gov.uk/get-access-evisa. A reset link is sent to your registered email.

Lost access to your email: Contact the UKVI Resolution Centre at 0300 790 6268 (Monday–Thursday 9am–4:45pm, Friday 9am–4:30pm UK time). You will need to verify your identity.

Lost access to your phone (for 2-factor auth): The Resolution Centre can remove the old phone number after identity verification. Have your passport ready.

Visa not showing in account: This can happen if your visa has not yet been linked. Contact the Resolution Centre — do not re-apply for a visa.

UKVI Resolution Centre

📞 0300 790 6268 — Mon–Thu 9:00–16:45, Fri 9:00–16:30 (UK time)

🌐 gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk — online form for non-urgent issues

Arriving in the UK with an eVisa

When you arrive at a UK airport or port, Border Force checks your immigration status digitally using your passport. You do not need to show anything on your phone — the eVisa is already linked to your passport biometrics.

Use the eGate if your passport has a chip — faster than the manned desks. eGates are available for most nationalities holding a valid eVisa.

If asked by a Border Force officer, you can show your eVisa on the UKVI app or at gov.uk/view-immigration-status — but this is rarely required at the gate.

Your entry clearance vignette sticker (the sticker in your old passport) was only valid for 30 days to enter the UK — it is not your ongoing permission to stay. Your eVisa is.

Open a UK bank account on arrival

Once you have your eVisa sorted, your next priority is a UK bank account. You need one to receive your student loan, pay rent, and get paid at work. Monzo opens in minutes with just your passport — no UK address or proof of enrolment needed.

Open a Monzo account

Frequently asked questions

Do I still need to carry my BRP card?

No. BRP cards expired on 31 December 2024. If you still have one, it is no longer valid as proof of immigration status. Your eVisa (accessed via your UKVI account) is your only valid proof. Carrying an expired BRP will not help you at the border or with employers.

Can I prove my right to work without a share code?

No. Since January 2025, the only way to prove your right to work digitally is through an online share code check at gov.uk/view-right-to-work. Employers are no longer allowed to accept physical documents (like BRP cards) as standalone proof. If your employer asks for a BRP, politely explain it has been replaced by an eVisa and share code.

What happens if my eVisa expires before I finish my course?

You must apply to extend your Student visa before it expires — you cannot remain in the UK after your visa expiry date. Apply via gov.uk/student-visa at least 3 months before expiry. Your university can support you with a new CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for the extension.

I switched passports. Can I travel before updating my UKVI account?

No. If your eVisa is linked to your old passport and you try to travel on your new one, airlines may deny boarding and UK Border Force may stop you at the border. Always update your UKVI account before any international travel after getting a new passport.

Is my eVisa proof enough to open a UK bank account?

Yes. Most UK banks accept a share code printout or screen as proof of the right to reside. Some banks (Monzo, Starling) only need your passport for identity and do not require separate immigration proof for a basic account. Traditional banks (Barclays, HSBC) may ask for additional documentation.

Can I check my eVisa on my phone without an internet connection?

No. Your eVisa is stored online and requires an internet connection to view. There is no offline version. Make sure you generate and screenshot your share code before situations where you might not have data (e.g. border crossings with poor signal).

My eVisa shows the wrong name or date of birth. What do I do?

Contact the UKVI Resolution Centre (0300 790 6268) or submit a request via gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk. Do not attempt to travel or use your eVisa with incorrect details — it will not match your passport and can cause serious problems.

eVisa quick reference

Create UKVI accountgov.uk/get-access-evisa

View your eVisagov.uk/view-immigration-status

Generate a share codegov.uk/view-immigration-status → Share code

Right to work checkgov.uk/view-right-to-work

Right to rent checkgov.uk/view-right-to-rent

Update passport detailsgov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details

UKVI Resolution Centre0300 790 6268

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change regularly — always verify current requirements at gov.uk. If you need personal immigration advice, consult a registered immigration adviser (OISC-regulated).