Registering on a Student visa

Before travelling to the UK you should create a UKVI account, link your current passport (passport you will travel on) and access your eVisa.

You should then submit your Share Code to us:

• New international students - log in to CAS Shield and enter it there. 
• Returning students - complete the online Share Code form

Once you have submitted your Share Code, book an appointment to attend a Visa Checkpoint and bring the following documents:

• Passport (original document only – we cannot accept copies)
• Evidence of when you entered the UK – applies to all travelling from overseas - so please hold on to your boarding card or flight details
• Student visa decision/grant email – email or letter issued when your Student visa was granted
• an entry clearance vignette – if issued where course and stay in the UK are less than six months

You should wait for confirmation that your eVisa has been processed and your details updated before booking a visa checkpoint slot.

• Passport
• Entry clearance vignette
• Boarding card or flight details

Once you are notified your visa has been issued you should generate a Share Code and submit it to the University

• New international students - log in to CAS Shield and enter it there. 
• Returning students - complete the online Share Code form

Once you have submitted your Share Code, book an appointment to attend a Visa Checkpoint and bring the following documents:

• Passport (original document only – we cannot accept copies)
• Evidence of when you entered the UK – applies to all travelling from overseas - so please hold on to your boarding card or flight details

You should wait for confirmation that your eVisa has been processed and your details updated before booking a visa checkpoint slot.

You may not be able to provide a current valid visa at the visa checkpoint or during your studies because you have made a new visa application and are waiting for a decision. In this case, you must provide evidence that you made a valid application before your previous visa expired by providing:

• your current passport or travel document.
• Your application checklist or UKVI confirmation of receipt email – please forward a copy with your student number to SIAC at visas@le.ac.uk You must be named on the application.
• your previous, or most recent visa (or permission) so we can confirm the expiry date (if this was an eVisa you will need to provide a Share code by completing the online Share code form).

If you have already submitted your visa application your current eVisa may not include the dates of your permission in which case we may have to make further checks with the UKVI and we will ask you to complete the Consent for Immigration Check form. This may cause a delay with your registration so please provide the documents as soon as possible so we can rectify any issues early in the process.

Other acceptable documentation

• UKVCAS appointment letter with barcode or Biometrics letter must be dated before visa expiry 
• Acknowledgement email from  UKVI  - must confirm when application was submitted and paid for
• Copy of the application which shows when payment was taken

What we cannot accept

• A solicitor’s letter confirming submission of the application
• Application which does not list your name
• Biometric appointment letter

If you are having difficulty obtaining any of these documents, please contact visas@le.ac.uk giving your consent for an immigration history check to be carried out.

You will need to apply for a new visa using a CAS we have issued to you, if:

• You have been studying with another sponsor
• Recently completed another course with us, the University of Leicester

Please note you can only normally apply for your new visa in the UK if you successfully completed your last course. You must provide evidence that you have submitted a new in-time visa application before you can register. This means you must submit the new application before the previous visa expires.

Please see the information above if this applies - 'You are waiting for a decision on your visa application' and email the relevant documents to visas@le.ac.uk.

If you have any difficulties in making this application before you register, please contact visas@le.ac.uk as soon as possible as they will be able to advise you further.

You should plan your travel to arrive in the UK and complete registration before the start date of your course and in time to attend your teaching events including scheduled introductory sessions. However, you must travel to the UK within the validity (start and expiry date) of your entry clearance vignette. If you arrive sooner you will likely have to exit the UK and re-enter during its validity which could be costly and disruptive to your studies.

Sponsored students with a student visa must provide a date stamped entry clearance vignette (visa sticker in passport) and their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP card). If your entry clearance vignette was not stamped you must bring your boarding card or flight booking with you so we can establish and record when you entered the UK. This is an important and mandatory requirement of our student sponsorship.

If your 90 day entry clearance vignette expires before you are able to travel to the UK you must apply online to transfer your visa. The application costs the equivalent of £154 (GDP). You will be provided with a new entry clearance vignette which will permit you to travel to the UK and collect your BRP.

When you travel to the UK you should carry the documents you provided with your visa application in your hand luggage as a UK Border Force Officer can request to see them. Please make try to see a Port Officer at the border to ensure your entry clearance vignette is stamped when you enter the country. If you cannot do this please retain your boarding card or e-ticket and email a copy with your documents to visas@le.ac.uk.