Entering the UK on an eVisa
UK Visas and Immigration are changing the way that visas are issued. Most students who are granted a student visa will receive an electronic visa (eVias) instead of a physical immigration document.
What is an eVisa?
When you receive notification that your student visa application has been successful, you will receive an e-mail from UKVI which will give details of your visa and what you should do next. You must read the e-mail very carefully and check that the validity dates of your visa are correct.
You must then follow the instructions to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. Your eVisa is your immigration permission for the UK.
How can I access my eVisa?
To access your eVisa, you will need to create a UKVI account. You will need the following:
- Your visa application number (also known as a GWF or UAN number).
- Passport
- Email address and mobile phone number (this does not need to be a UK mobile number, but you must be able to receive messages from the UKVI using this number)
- Access to a smart phone (if you do not have a smart phone, you can use a friend/family member’s phone)
- Access to the ID check app.
If you cannot access to the ID check app, please refer to the guidance on how to use the Web ID check
For step-by-step guidance to creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa, please watch the following UKVI video
What should I do if there is an error on my eVisa?
When you can view your eVisa, you must check it very carefully for any errors. If you find an error on your eVisa, you should report this to UKVI as soon as possible.
What should I do before I travel to the UK?
You must set up a UKVI account and link your UKVI account to your passport before you travel. You must then travel on the passport that you have linked to your UKVI account. You can link more than one passport to your UKVI account if you have more than one nationality.
We recommend you do the following before you travel to the UK:
- Print out and carry with you your decision letter provided to you when you received your decision from UKVI (check your junk/spam folders for this if you don’t remember receiving this)
- Check your eVisa thoroughly before travelling to the UK and seek to address any errors before travelling
- Get a share code prepared before you travel – it is possible you will be asked for this by your carrier or a Border Force officer
When can I travel to the UK?
You should only travel and enter the UK on or after the start date shown on your eVisa.
If you travel before the start date of your visa, you may not be allowed entry to the UK; or you may need to leave and re-enter the UK when your visa becomes valid.
If you managed to travel to the UK before the start date of your visa, you may be granted entry as a visitor. This may affect your registration if you need a Student Visa to study on your course of study. You should contact the Visa Support Team for further advice.
What should I do if I cannot access my UKVI account or link my passport to my account?
If you experience any difficulty in linking your passport to your UKVI account, contact the UKVI Resolution Centre or UKVI web chat for assistance.
When you are ready to travel:
- Check that you can access your eVisa and that the validity dates are correct.
- Check that your passport and personal details on your eVisa are correct. You can update your details, if required.
- Get a share code in case your airline or Border Force ask for one.
- Check that the details that you have given your airline match the details on your eVisa.
- If you cannot view your eVisa, make sure that you have fully completed the process of setting up your UKVI account.
What should I do when I arrive in the UK?
Make sure that you have a share code ready in case Border Force Officers need to access your student visa.
If you have any difficulties entering the UK that cannot be resolved at the airport, contact +44 (0)191 208 6000 and ask to speak to the Visa Support Team.
What should I do when I arrive at Newcastle University?
As a sponsor of International students, Newcastle University will need to check your Right to Study in the UK as part of the registration process. You must provide evidence of your immigration permission promptly on arrival to avoid any disruption to your access to University services.
Details of which documents to submit and how to submit them are available on the Visa Support web pages.
Who can I contact for further help?
If your question was not answered in the above sections and your still having problems accessing your eVisa, then please email compliance@ncl.ac.uk and we will see if we can help.