Set up your UKVI account and access your eVisa
Student visa holders will receive a digital immigration status (eVisa).
Before travelling to the UK, you should ensure that your UKVI account has been set up and that you can access your eVisa successfully.
You can set up and access your UKVI account using the GOV.UK guidance below:
Set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa
You should ensure that:
- your passport is correctly linked to your UKVI account
- your personal details are correct
- you can successfully log in to your account
- you retain access to the email address and phone number linked to the account.
We recommend carrying evidence of your eVisa status when travelling, for example:
- A PDF copy of your immigration status
- Screenshots of your eVisa
- A share code, if available.
You should also ensure your passport details remain updated on your UKVI account. Further information can be found here:
Update your UKVI account details
Read your visa decision carefully
Before travelling, you must carefully read your visa decision email and review the conditions of your permission.
You should check:
- your name and date of birth
- visa type
- visa validity dates
- any work conditions or restrictions
- any errors in your immigration permission.
If you identify any errors relating to your visa or immigration status, these must be reported to UKVI immediately.
Please also contact the VISA team for support and guidance where required.
You should certain documents in your hand luggage and not in checked baggage.
We recommend carrying:
- Your current passport
- Visa decision email
- Evidence of your eVisa status
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Accommodation details
- Financial evidence used in your visa application (where available)
- Evidence of your return/onward travel, if applicable.
You should keep all important documents safe during travel and throughout your studies in the UK.
You should ensure your visa is stamped upon entry to the UK to activate your visa and as proof of your entry date which may be required in the future.
For this reason, please ensure you avoid using eGates and see a Border Force officer on arrival provide an entry stamp in your passport.
If your passport is not stamped on entry, ensure you keep hold of your boarding pass and flight booking evidence to confirm your date of entry to the UK, as the University will require proof of entry at the point of completing face-to-face registration. This is required by UKVI as part of our student sponsor duties.
You must ensure you do not travel to the UK before the permitted travel date stated in your visa decision.
Student Visa holders are normally permitted to enter the UK:
- Up to one month before the course start date for courses longer than six months
- Up to seven days before the course start date for courses lasting less than six months.
You should carefully review your visa decision to confirm your permitted travel window.
You must also ensure you do not travel to the UK after the latest course start date as stated on your CAS, as this is your final deadline to complete face-to-face registration on campus. Entering the UK after this date would result in your visa sponsorship being withdrawn, and you would be required to return to your home country to reapply for a new visa upon receiving a new CAS.
If you are concerned about being able to arrive in the UK and complete Face-to-Face Registration before the Latest Course Start Date as stated on your CAS, please contact the CAS team (CAS@gcu.ac.uk) as soon as possible for support and advice.
After arriving in the UK, you should ensure tha yourt:
- UK mobile number is updated with the University
- term-time address is updated on your student record
- UKVI account details remain up to date.
UKVI guidance on updating your details can be found below:
Update your details in your UKVI account
