UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is currently undergoing a digital transformation with the aim of developing a digital immigration system. This means replacing your physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.
If you hold a physical document, it is likely that this document expires on December 31, 2024, even if your course is longer. From January 1, 2025, the way you prove your immigration status will change. You will be required to create a UK Visas and Immigration account and to prove your rights you need to generate a share code.
UKVI has invited a small number of customers to create their account; if you haven’t been invited, you will be able to create your account without an invitation from June onwards. What you need to create your account:
- Your date of birth
- Your BRP Number
- Your passport (if you do not have a BRP)
- Access to an email address and phone number
- Access to a smartphone
Details of your UK immigration status will be available for airline staff and border force officers; in the meantime, you are advised to carry your BRP with you to prove your rights until December 31, 2024. Your immigration status will be linked to your passport, so you must enter the country using the passport associated with your Student visa application. When you create your digital account, you will be permitted to update personal details, for example, passport details. It is important to keep your account details up-to-date to avoid issues when travelling to the UK.
The process to create your account has three steps: you will need a valid email to verify the account; you need to verify your identity using the UK Immigration ID check app; link your account with your eVisa and submit. Linking your account to your eVisa, may take a few days to happen; be patient.
There is no deadline for you to complete this process and UKVI has confirmed the expiration of your BRP card does not affect your immigration status, but please bear in mind that you will need to be able to digitally prove your rights by January 1, 2025, so it is important that you start the process as soon as you are able to.
We advise that you set a reminder to get a notification every time the Online immigration status (eVisa) page gets updated.
QMUL International Advice 