Your arrival

eVisas : Your online digital status

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has replaced physical documents such as vignettes and Biometric Residence Permits with a digital status called an ‘eVisa’.

To access your eVisa, you must create and maintain a UKVI account. From this account, you can generate a Share Code, which allows organisations such as the University to view and verify your immigration status online.

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 normally only have to do this when you first register.

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.

Before travelling to the UK, you must create a UKVI account and ensure you can access your eVisa online, as this is how you will generate the Share code required by the University. You must do this before you travel.

Important: You must not travel to the UK before the start date of your visa. You may be asked to demonstrate your immigration status on arrival at the UK border, so please ensure you can access your eVisa before travelling.

How you submit your Share Code

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

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.

Trouble-shooting eVisas

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.

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. Different Share Codes are generated for different purposes. The University requires a Share Code for right to study checks. When generating your Share Code, select "something else" rather than "work" or "rent".

Report an error with your eVisa

If you notice your eVisa is wrong (for example the wrong date of birth or visa type) before travelling you should notify your Visa Application Centre overseas as soon as possible as incorrect details may cause you to be denied boarding by your carrier or entry to the UK.

If you are in the UK you will have to report an error with your eVisa though the online form.

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.

Travelling to the UK with an eVisa

eVisas are increasingly being used across a range of UK immigration routes, including Visitor visas applied for in advance, as well as longer-term permissions such as Student visas. Regardless of your visa type, you should ensure you can access your UKVI account and eVisa before travelling and that your passport details are up to date.

Most students who will be studying on a course of more than six months will hold a Student visa and will normally travel using their eVisa and the passport linked to their 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 a 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.