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Passports and Visas

eVisas (Digital Status) and proving your immigration status

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.

You will use a share code to prove your immigration status and not receive a physical visa document. You can view your eVisa, with details of your immigration status, or generate a Share Code to share your eVisa with others here: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

Example illustration of the View and prove computer screen taken from the UKVI video How to prove your immigration status with an eVisa

Once you generate a share code to prove your immigration status, it is valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times. When a Share Code is used, it displays your eVisa which has basic details of your immigration status. If you have upcoming travel or need to prove your status, consider generating your share code in advance to avoid issues with limited access to your device, internet, or signal. Please be aware that you will need to generate separate Share Codes for Right to Work, Right to Rent and Right to Study checks.

To update your personal details, including new travel documents, you need to log into your UKVI account which you can access here: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details 

UKVI have provided a short YouTube video entitled How to prove your immigration status with an eVisa:

How to prove your immigration status with an eVisa

You can find information about eVisas here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa

UKVI have produced information videos about eVisas, which are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/evisa-support-videos 

For travel purposes UKVI have advised that both UK border staff and international carriers, such as airlines, can automatically check immigration status via system-to-system checks using your passport, providing the correct passport is linked to your UKVI account.

You may wish to prepare a Share Code prior to travel, just in case you need to use it at any stage of your journey. If the country that you are travelling from conducts an exit check, or you are transiting through an additional country, you should check what evidence is required prior to travelling.

BRP expiry date of 31 December 2024

Until late 2024, visas were issued in the format of a biometric residence permit (BRP). These were a physical, credit card sized ID document. All BRPs for Student visas have an expiry of the 31 December 2024, when the change to eVisas and digital permission occurred, even if your immigration permission to remain in the UK continues beyond 2024.

From 2025 onwards BRPs are no longer valid. If you own a BRP, you should keep hold of this and continue to travel with it until at least March 2025. However, this will not be accepted as proof of your immigration status. You will need to provide a Share Code to verify your permission to live in the UK.

2025 change to eVisas

All students who received a BRP when they arrived in the UK to begin their studies need to complete the process to create a UKVI account and link it to their eVisa.

If you created your UKVI account using your BRP, and use your BRP to sign into your account, you should update your account with your passport details if these are not already linked. This can be done via Update your UKVI Account Details service. UKVI have provided further information on how to check your eVisa details are correct before you travel in or out of the UK:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel

I have lost my passport

  1. If you are sure that you have lost your passport, you should contact Norwich University of the Arts on visa@norwichuni.ac.uk as soon as possible.
  2. Report the theft or loss to the local police force (if applicable). Some Police Forces will issue a crime reference number. You should keep this crime reference number (and any documentation provided by the Police) secure as you will need it as proof that you reported the loss.
  3. Apply for a replacement passport through your country’s Embassy, Consulate, High Commission or Passport Office in the UK. The following link provides a list of all Embassies, Consulates, High Commissions and Passport Offices in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk The cost of a replacement passport will vary depending on your nationality.
  4. Please keep visa@norwichuni.ac.uk informed of the expected date that you will receive your new passport and, if you are in your home country, the date you will return to the UK. If the University feels that as a result of waiting for your passport that you have missed a significant proportion of your course, you may be placed on a break from studies (intermission) or be requested to retake the year.
  5. You will need to update your immigration status with details of your new passport as soon as possible, as your eVisa is linked to your passport. You can access your UKVI account here: Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Update your UKVI account details – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
  6. Once you have your new passport, please contact visa@norwichuni.ac.uk so that we can arrange an appointment for a photocopy to be taken for our records.

I have a new passport.

If you have updated your passport you will need to update your Student visa with details of your new passport.

  1. You will need to update UKVI with the details of you your new passport using your UKVI account here: Update your UKVI account details – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).You should do this as soon as possible and in advance of any travel.
  2. Once you have your new passport, please contact visa@norwichuni.ac.uk so that we can arrange an appointment for a photocopy to be taken for our records. You must notify the Student Visa Compliance team as soon as possible if there are any significant changes, such as to name or nationality.

There is an error on my eVisa.  What do I need to do?

Errors must be reported to the Home Office within 10 days. It is important that you report it as soon as possible. An error could include any of the following:

You can report it here: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

If you notice an error with your eVisa (online digital status) please contact visa@norwichuni.ac.uk

I have been contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) about my visa.  What do I need to do?

If you have been contacted directly about your visa, please contact the Student Visa Compliance team as soon as possible.

Please be mindful to verify that any emails, texts or phone calls are genuine before providing any personal information or payment. Legitimate visa officers will never contact you to ask for immediate payment in person or by email or phone.

If you have concerns, end the call and contact UKVI directly using a genuine number or through the Student Visa Compliance team: https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

We have recently been made aware of fraudulent calls targeting international students claiming to be from the Home Office. These calls typically involve claims that there is a problem with your visa and that you must take action or pay money to resolve the issue. You can read more about scams here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/frauds-tricks-and-scams

You can report a scam here:

https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing/report-visa-and-immigration-scams

If you are concerned that you may have been a victim of a scam, please contact Student Support or the Student Visa Compliance team.

Student Support have guidance on scams and the support available here: 

vle link

I have applied for another UK visa. Do I need to do anything?

You must notify the Student Visa Compliance team as soon as possible if you have switched to an alternate UK immigration permission. You should provide a Share Code so that the team can verify your Right to Study in the UK with this new visa.

The University would then withdraw sponsorship for your Student visa as you have new UK immigration permission. You would then remain in the UK under your alternate immigration permission and be subject to the conditions of that visa, for example any relevant work conditions or restrictions.

You are also responsible for ensuring that you have a valid UK immigration permission that permits study for the remainder of the course or notifying the University in good time if you would need to return to Student visa sponsorship. It is important to be aware that as you would no longer studying in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be reported as eligible for the Graduate Route when you successfully complete your course.

The Graduate Route is a visa available to students who complete their study whilst on a Student visa: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa