Moving to online digital status (eVisas)

Moving to online digital status (eVisas)

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) have changed the way you will evidence your permission to be in the UK, by moving away from physical documents such as vignettes and Biometric Residence Permits and replacing these with a digital status called an ‘eVisa’.

All new students not holding UK or Irish passports are expected to provide a Share Code to prove their immigration status. This applies if you are holding Indefinite Leave or EU Settlement Status although you will only have to do this once for the purposes of registration. 

Please note: Although our Admissions Team will have previously requested a Share Code to assess your fee status, you will need to provide a new Share Code to confirm your right to study and complete your enrolment.

You’ll no longer need to collect a BRP when you arrive in the UK. Instead, you’ll create a UKVI account and access your eVisa online. You must do this before you travel.

• New Sponsored students holding Student visas – you should submit your Share code by logging in your CAS Shield account and entering it there. 
• All other students (including those holding EUSS or other long-stay visas) – you should submit your Share code using the online Share code form

What is an eVisa?

Your eVisa is a secure digital record of your identity and immigration status. It includes the conditions of your stay—such as whether you’re allowed to work—and can be used to:

• Prove your right to study at the University of Leicester
• Prove your right to rent to a landlord
• Share your status with employers or other organisations such as banks

Switching to an eVisa will not change your permission or the conditions of your permission in the UK, such as work restrictions or the length of time you can stay.

Setting Up Your UKVI Account

You’ll need a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Your visa decision/grant email will include instructions on how to set it up. UKVI also have a helpful video to guide you through the process.

How to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa: video  

There is no cost to access your eVisa and it has many benefits:

• Secure and cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with
• No need to wait for or collect a physical document
• Easier and faster to prove your status at the UK border or to third parties

Check that the details in your account are accurate and up to date – you can view your eVisa to check. This includes checking your personal details and travel document details are up to date. Make sure you do this in good time to travel. You may be delayed or denied boarding by carriers if your information is not correct.

Proving your status with an eVisa

Once you have generated your online digital status or eVisa you can prove your status by logging in to the ‘view and prove services’ using your UKVI account and providing an airline carrier, educator or landlord with a Share Code and your date of birth.  You don’t need to show them your eVisa as they will download a copy for themselves. 

A Share Code lasts for 90 days and you can use it as many times as you need before it expires. You do need to provide different share codes depending on whether you are proving proof of right to work or rent or study, e.g., you should not provide the university with a ‘right to work’ share code, instead when generating the ‘right to study’ code do not pick ‘for work’ and instead choose ‘for something else’

Report an error with your eVisa

If you notice your eVisa is wrong (for example the wrong date of birth or visa types) you should notify your Visa Application Centre overseas. Travelling with this visa may cause you to be denied boarding by your carrier or entry to the UK. 

If you have updated a passport or your name or you need to change your photo as it no longer looks like you. You should update those details yourself.in your account. 

Once your details have been updated you should generate a new Share Code. 

If you can’t view your eVisa you should first check that you have finished setting up your UKVI account to access your eVisa. You can get help to recover your UKVI account if you are having trouble logging in.

You can also contact UKVI online if you have any other questions.

You can also watch one of their eVisa support videos.

Travelling to the UK with an eVisa

Most students who will be studying on a course of more than six months, including those holding Student visas,will not be issued with a vignette (visa sticker in passport). Instead, you’ll travel using your eVisa and the passport linked to your UKVI account.

Before you travel, make sure:

• Your UKVI account is linked to the passport you’ll use
• Your eVisa shows the correct visa details
• Your personal details are correct and match your airline booking
• You have access to your visa decision/grant email
• You’ve generated a Share Code (remember you’ll need internet access to do this) – they remain valid for 90 days!
• You print a copy of your decision email and eVisa—just in case

You must link your current travel document to your account and make sure this is always correct and updated if you change document. If you update your passport shortly before travelling, carry both your old and new passports. If your eVisa is not linked to the passport you travel with, you may face delays or be denied boarding. This is particularly important if you are holding more than one passport. 

This also applies to any dependants—make sure their passport details are correct in their eVisa too.

Already in the UK?

If you're already living in the UK, you may hold a long-term visa such as Indefinite Leave to Remain or Pre-Settled/Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme. You might also be here on a Dependant visa, or a Skilled Worker visa and planning to study part-time. Perhaps you have a Student visa as you have just finished a course and are now moving on to further study.

Whatever your visa type, if you do not hold a UK or Irish passport, you’ll need to:

• Set up a UKVI account (if you haven’t already)
• Submit a Share Code to prove your immigration status

This allows us to confirm your right to study and complete your registration smoothly.

Providing the University with your Share Code

Generate a Share Code by selecting ‘something else’ (not work or accommodation in the process). Then submit it to us by following these instructions:

• New student holding Student visa – please log in to your CAS Shield account and submit your Share Code
• Everyone else - please submit using our online Share Code form.