If you applied for your visa outside the UK and chose the option for the university to receive your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) under the Alternative Collection Location (ACL) provision, you will be contacted by email with further information on how to collect.

Read more about BRP card collectionLink opens in a new window.

If you applied for your visa outside the UK and chose the option to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from the local post office, you will need to collect it within 10 days of arriving in the UK and attend the in-person document check event with your BRP and passport.

The Post Office will not notify you once the BRP has been received, so you should make arrangements to go to the Post Office to enquire about whether they have received your BRP.

If you do not collect your BRP from the Post Office within 10 days of being notified they have it, you may be liable for a fine or cancellation/curtailment of your visa.

Before traveling to the UK:

• Check your UKVI Decision Letter against your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and contact us if you think it contains any errors.

• Check your Vignette or Temporary Travel Vignette against your CAS and contact us if you think it contains any errors.

• Keep your passport safe. It is a good idea to keep scanned copies of important documents such as your passport in your emails.
• Inform your Department if your arrival in Warwick will be delayed.
• Ensure you travel to the UK within the validity of your student visa to activate your immigration permission as a student.

If you enter the UK before the start date on your vignette, your student visa would not be activated and you will not have the right to study. You may need to leave the UK and re-enter again during the validity of your temporary travel vignette to activate your student visa.

• Check the information on the Government website about entering the UKLink opens in a new window.

On arrival at the airport you must ensure that your Visa Vignette or Temporary Travel Vignette is stamped with your entry date at the Immigration Desk, at a UK Border.

If your Vignette is not stamped with your entry date, Student Immigration may not be able to determine your Right to Study, which could lead to delays in your enrolment, or, temporary withdrawal from your course.

If you find that your TTV was not stamped on arrival (for example, because you are eligible to use the e-Gate), please keep your Boarding Pass, or Flight Ticket safe as you will need to provide this during the in-person document checking event.

You can travel to the UK once you have successfully obtained your Student Visa decision and collected your passport from the Visa Application Centre OR if you have received the digital Student Visa then you can travel after the start date of the visa.

Your passport will have a 90 day Temporary Travel Vignette. You must travel within the validity period of that vignette and before your latest start date, as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you applied for your Visa within the UK, your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will be sent to the address listed in your application, and must be signed for on delivery.

If you have not received your BRP within 10 working days of receiving your UKVI Decision Email, please notify the UKVILink opens in a new window.

You will need to provide the University with a copy of your BRP within 5 days of receiving it. You must be signed into your MyWarwick Single Sign On accountLink opens in a new window to use this form. Please click on the top right hand corner “sign in” to do this if you are not already signed in.

If your permission to enter the UK is 6 months or less you will receive a visa vignette for the whole duration. Your Visa Vignette, once activated, will allow you to exit and enter the UK as many times as you wish, subject to the visa conditions, and the visa validity.

Your Visa Vignette must be stamped with the date of entry by the immigration officer, on arrival at a UK border, to activate your Leave. Your Visa Vignette will also be your proof of leave once it has been activated with your stamp of entry.

If you applied for a Student Visa, and your course is over 6 months long, you will be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). It contains your personal information, your biometric data you submitted with your application, along with other information regarding your leave.

Your BRP is also your primary proof of Right to Study, Right to Enter the UK, and Right to Remain for the purposes of the grant of leave.

Your BRP will be delivered to the address you specified on your visa application form, and it will also be stated on your UKVI Decision Letter.

To start the course, you need to complete all of the following;

• complete the online course registration
• enter the UK on Student Visa before the course start date or atleast before the latest course start date
• attend the in-person right to study check event. You can book an appointment via the welcome week timetable

A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) looks like the sample image below:

A visa vignette looks like the sample image below:

e-Visa Frequently Asked Questions

In-person & Online Support with e-Visas

If you would like support with setting up your UKVI Account and/or accessing your e-Visa, you can drop into the Student Opportunity HubLink opens in a new window during the following dates and times:

• In-person Monday to Friday: 1.30PM to 3.00PM
• Book an Online appointment via MyAdvantageLink opens in a new window.

1. How do I create my UKVI Account, linking the identification documents, and accessing the e-Visa?

The Home Office provides detailed guidance on their webpageLink opens in a new window on how to apply for your UKVI account and access your e-Visa. There is additional guidance on how to use the UK Immigration: ID Check appLink opens in a new window to successfully scan your Passport or BRP card.

2. What document is the best to use to create a UKVI account?

You can create an UKVI account using either: your BRP, a valid passport and your BRP number (if you have lost your BRP), a valid passport and your visa application number (if you have lost your BRP and do not know your BRP number).

3. How long does it take to receive confirmation that my UKVI account has been created?

You will get a confirmation via an email, that your UKVI account has been created and you can Sign in, this usually takes 24-48 hours.

4. Once I have created my UKVI account, do I need inform the university?

No, you do not need to inform the university once you have created your UKVI account. Once you receive confirmation that your account has been created, you can then ‘Sign in’ and generate a share code. Please use the View and Prove service to generate a share code and complete the Upload form. The university will update your student record.  

5. How will I know if I already have a UKVI account?

You will have a UKVI account if you have ever:

• applied to the EU Settlement Scheme
• used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for a visa
• created one when applying for a visa (you will have received a UKVI account confirmation email)
• created one to get access to an eVisa (an online record of immigration status).
• If unsure whether you already have a UKVI account, you can attempt to sign in at: Get access to your eVisa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If a UKVI account exists, entering your details during the sign in process will take you to your existing UKVI account.

6. I have lost access to my UKVI account?

You can recover your account online by following the account recovery guidance.

7. I am not able to use my passport to create a UKVI account, as it does not have a biometric chip?

You can use your BRP card, and your visa application reference number to create your UKVI account. There is additional guidance on how to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to successfully scan your Passport or BRP card.

8. If the eVisa can be linked to a BRP what will happen after the BRP expires on 31 December 2024? Will I have to update the account with a passport?

If you are using or have used your BRP number to sign in to your UKVI 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. This will enable you to sign in with your passport number instead of your BRP number. Please make sure you update your passport details if you used your BRP card to create and link your UKVI account.

Those who do not have a passport can continue to sign in using your BRP, even after it expires.

9. Why is my BRP card not scanning while verifying my identity using the apps?

Please remove your phones case and cover and place the BRP on a table, then take a scan using the ID App, (please try not to move while you scan your ID document). You may need to give it a few attempts for it to work.

10. My phone is not compatible to scan my BRP card?

Please check the compatibility of your phone using the guidanceLink opens in a new window. You may need to use a friend or family members phone if your phone is not compatible.  

11. I do not have a last name, what should I do?

You may leave the first name column empty and complete the last name column with your given name. This should allow you to proceed to the next step.

12. How do I keep my personal details up to date in my UKVI account?

You can update your personal information in your UKVI account, such as your contact details. Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account. You must keep your passport or ID card details up to date in your UKVI account and tell the Home Office about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border. You’ll still need to carry your current passport with you. 

13. Do I need to notify the Home Office if I have a change of circumstance?

Yes, you will need to update your details and notify the Home Office. Further guidance can be found hereLink opens in a new window.

14. Do I need to return my BRP card to the Home Office after 31st December 2024?

You may keep your expired BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records. Continue to carry your expired BRP as well as a share code and a print-out of your e-Visa, as this will add to the range of checking options already available to airline carriers. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/expired-brp.

15. Can I still use my expired BRP as proof of age?

An eVisa is an online record of immigration status and is acceptable evidence of ID under the Identity Documents Act 2010. A person can use their eVisa (via ‘View and Prove’) to confirm their identity. A person can still use their passport or UK photo driving licence as photographic ID. There are also UK-wide proof of age schemes available, you can use an alternative form of ID to prove your age when purchasing age-restricted items (such as alcohol or in some venue, energy drinks) or entering age-restricted venues (such as night clubs). More information on your options can be found on the International Student Support webpageLink opens in a new window.

16. What documents are required when traveling to the UK as a student returning from your home country?

When traveling back to the UK as a student, you’ll need to present the following documents based on whether you have a physical or digital visa:

• Valid Passport: You must have a valid passport or travel document to establish your identity and nationality.
• Visa or Immigration permission:
  • If you have a physical visa vignette in your passport, ensure it is valid and matches your passport details. You don’t need to worry about the specific purpose of the visa (e.g., "Student" or "Visit").
  • If you hold a digital e-Visa or have a digital immigration status (e.g., settled or pre-settled status), you won’t have a physical visa.
• Share code for e-Visa or Immigration Status:
  • If an airline carrier does not receive automatic confirmation of a passenger’s permission to travel, they can check using valid physical documents (where these are still being carried), and/or by using the ’'View and Prove’ service.
  • If you hold a digital e-Visa or immigration status, you may be required to provide a share code. You can generate this from your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account via the "View and Prove" service: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. You may print a copy of your eVisa and carry this with you when you travel.
• Supporting Documents (optional but recommended): It is helpful to carry supporting documentation such as visa confirmation emails, proof of student status, or accommodation details in the UK, in case further verification is needed.
• Check if your eVisa is correct before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel.

Watch the following guidance video from the Home Office, for further information: How to travel with your e-VisaLink opens in a new window.

17. What should I do if I encounter an issue with my eVisa or if I think the information on their eVisa is wrong?

If your information is out of date, use Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Update your UKVI account details - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to update your personal information.

If you believe the Home Office has made a mistake, report an error with your eVisa here within 10 days of receiving your UKVI account details: What is the problem with your eVisa? - Report an error with your eVisa; GOV.UK (homeoffice.gov.uk) The UK Visas and Immigration Resolution Centre can assist with technical issues, and verify a person’s status through alternative means if necessary.

18. I have lost my BRP card, how do I verify my identity to create a UKVI account?

You can get help in creating an account to access your eVisa if you have a valid passport, and you need to find your BRP number or application number: https://www.request-reference-evisa.homeoffice.gov.uk/.