What is an e-visa?
An e-visa is an online record of your visa status, it will state your visa end date, the permissions that you have in the UK and any conditions on your visa, for example limits on working. This online record is set to replace physical BRP cards which are being phased out in December 2024.
Take a look at the UKVI video 'What is an e-visa?' here.
Why are they being introduced?
The introduction of e-visas should prevent documents being lost or stolen and means you will not have to wait for or collect a physical card to prove your status moving forward.
If you have been issued with BRP you must still keep this right up until it expires as you will need this, alongside your e-visa, when travelling in and out of the UK.
You must keep your BRP when travelling in and out of the UK. Even if it has expired in December 2024, BRP's are still being accepted for travel in and out of the UK right up until 31st March 2025.
How do I register for my e-visa?
UKVI have put together a video on how to create a UKVI account and how to access your e-visa here.
You should set up your e-visa as soon as you can before your BRP expires.
You can do this through your online UKVI account. If you do not already have an online account you can set this up as part of the e-visa process. You will also need to confirm your identity as part of this.
You will need your passport or BRP, access to a smart device, a mobile number and an email address.
Top Tip: Use your passport and NOT your BRP to link your UKVI account to your digital status as your BRP will expire in December 2024 and if you use your BRP you will need to update your UKVI with your passport to access your digital status after December 2024.
This is a free process and you will not be charged an additional fee to set up your e-visa.
This will not change the permissions you have been granted in your initial decision letter from UK Visas and Immigration when you applied for your Student Visa.
You can register for your e-visa via the Gov.uk website here.
How do I prove my status via an e-visa?
You can watch a video on how to prove your immigration status here.
Once you have your e-visa you can create a sharecode to share with the University, any potential employers or your landlord to prove your right to live, work or reside in the UK.
For more information on how to obtain a share code and for proving your status please visit the Gov.uk website here.
When travelling remember you will also need your passport (and BRP until it expires). You may need to show your e-visa to border officials like you previously would have done with your BRP card.
UKVI have put together a video on travelling with your e-visa here.
What if there is an error on my e-visa?
If there are any errors with the information on your e-visa, for example, it displays the wrong visa end date please contact IAG for more advice via: iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk. We can then apply to UKVI to have this corrected for you.
Further external guidance on e-visas:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/eVisas
Speak to a International Advice and Guidance advisor
If you are unable to find an answer to your query on our web pages email iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk or book an online confidential one-one appointment.