BRP cards and the move to digital visas ('eVisas')
The Home Office is moving to a digital system of visas ('eVisas'), which means that anyone who currently has a BRP card will move to a digital visa by 1 January 2025.
All visa-holders must now sign up and create their UKVI account and get access to their eVisa.
Visa-holders no longer need to wait to be contacted before attempting to set up a digital account.
The University is not involved in this process, so please keep an eye on GOV.UK/evisa for updates and information. You can read about the process in more detail in this Home Office information pack.
We will also be updating this page with information as we receive it, and have created a guide to setting up an eVisa.
Meanwhile, don't forget that you can check your immigration status, including the expiry date of your Student visa, by looking at the visa approval letter that would have been sent to you when your visa was approved. Remember that regardless of your visa expiry date, if you have a physical BRP card, you must create a digital UKVI account.
New students due to start studying in the UK this September on a Student visa may be issued with a BRP card, which will have an expiry date of 31 December 2024. Any new students who receive a BRP card will also need to create a UKVI account. This can be done before you travel to the UK, or on arrival here. Remember that you will need to collect your BRP if you have been issued with one.
Remember to keep an eye on the Government's eVisa page, and contact our team by completing our self-referral form if you have any questions.
Related links
International Student Support self-referral form
For any queries, please complete our self-referral form. We aim to respond within three working days.
Is my visa the correct length?
Although your BRP will show an expiry date of 31 December 2024, remember that this is not the same as your visa expiry date. It is important that you check the length of your visa, as any errors must be reported to UKVI straight away.
You can check your visa expiry date on your visa approval letter, which will have been emailed to you when your visa was approved, or by entering your details on the following website:
This table shows the correct visa length according to the length of your course:
| Type of course | Period granted after course end date |
|---|---|
| A course of 12 months or longer | Four months |
| A course of six months or longer but shorter than 12 months | Two months |
| A pre-sessional course of less than six months | One month |
If you are not sure or think an error has been made, please contact the International Student Support team as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
An eVisa is an electronic record of a person’s immigration status. You need to create a UKVI account to view your eVisa.
At this stage, you just need to wait. The Home Office is planning to contact all Student visa holders over the coming months.
No, if you already have an eVisa, you do not need to take any action.
No. You should continue to use your BRP card until 31 December 2024.
You will not be issued with an eVisa, which means you will have no way to prove your immigration status if you leave the UK and wish to re-enter after 31 December 2024.
Related links
International Student Support self-referral form
For any queries, please complete our self-referral form. We aim to respond within three working days.