International Education News

​​Still worried about losing your BRP card? Still waiting for a passport vignette? Students heading to the UK in the 25fall intake and beyond, take note! UK visas have officially entered the 'paperless' era!

Starting from July 15th, main applicants for visas such as Student and Work visas will no longer receive passport vignettes; the electronic visa (eVisa) will be fully implemented !

​​Major Changes​​

This month, UK visa policy has undergone its most significant changes in nearly a decade. Two key milestones have completely altered how we enter the UK and prove our status within the country:

​​01. BRP Cards Officially Phased Out​​

The familiar pink Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card, which has accompanied international students and foreign nationals for over 10 years, officially 'retired' on June 2nd, 2025!

This means that from that date onwards, the BRP card can no longer be used as a document to enter the UK, nor can it prove your legal residence status in the UK !

• ​​What happens if you haven't registered for an eVisa?​​

  If you are still holding an expired BRP card, or haven't registered for an eVisa at all, you might be stopped when entering the UK! You could also encounter difficulties when renting a property, opening a bank account, job hunting, or even seeing a doctor, as the other party would be unable to verify your identity !

​​02. Vignettes Cancelled, eVisa Fully Launched​​

An even bigger change has arrived! Starting July 15th, 2025 :

• Student Visa

• Work Visa

• Global Business Mobility Visa

• International Sportsperson Visa

• Youth Mobility Scheme

• Temporary Worker Visa

  Main applicants for these long-term visas will no longer receive the paper visa sticker inside their passports!

Your visa information will now be managed exclusively online through the eVisa system. After approval, you will receive a Decision Letter. This letter will not contain a vignette; instead, it will provide guidance for activating your UKVI account. Your 'visa' resides within this account !

​​03. Exceptions (Temporary Retention of Vignettes)​​

Applicants for dependent visas, such as spouses and children, are currently temporarily remaining under a dual system of 'passport vignette + eVisa'.

The application process and vignette format for visit visas (e.g., tourism, family visits, short-term study) remain unchanged for now.

In short: If you are going to the UK for the first time this autumn or later as a main applicant for study or work, you will receive a purely electronic visa (eVisa) – your passport will not have any visa sticker! Returning students and workers who previously had a BRP card must now register for an eVisa !

According to UK Home Office data: By June this year, approximately 4.3 million people had completed their eVisa account registration, but around 300,000 had still not taken action! The Immigration Service urgently advises: Register now, don't delay !

​​What is an eVisa? What are its advantages?​​

An eVisa is the UK government's digital proof of residence status. It is no longer a card or a piece of paper, but rather stores your visa information securely in the cloud, deeply linked to your passport information .

For international students, the eVisa brings many benefits:

• ​​No more worries about losing a card/sticker:​​ Anyone who has had to replace a lost BRP card knows the hassle. eVisa uses encrypted storage technology, significantly boosting security .

• ​​Faster entry clearance:​​ When flying to the UK, you only need to present your passport at the border! The customs system scans it, and your eVisa information is retrieved instantly, reportedly increasing efficiency by up to 50% – say goodbye to long queues !

• ​​Super timely updates:​​ If you successfully extend your visa or gain indefinite leave to remain, the information in your eVisa updates in real-time. No more waiting for a new card to arrive in the mail .

• ​​Easier global connections:​​ Whether you fly directly from your home country or transit through another country to reach the UK, just your passport and eVisa information are needed .

• ​​Cost-saving and eco-friendly:​​ The UK government states that this change will save the cost and resources of producing millions of physical cards each year .

In a nutshell: The eVisa puts your UK status 'in the cloud,' making it safer, more convenient, and more efficient!

​​Four Steps to Complete Your eVisa Application​​

Whether you are a returning student switching to eVisa or a new student applying for the first time, you need to complete the process via the UK government's official website .

Below is a step-by-step application guide (compiled from the latest policy and multiple sources):

​​Preparation Before Applying​​

• Valid passport (information must be accurate!)

• Original BRP card (if you have one and it's not expired, needed for the application)

• A long-term valid email address (Crucial! All notifications are sent here!)

• A UK mobile number (or an overseas number capable of receiving SMS, for verification)

• A smartphone with NFC functionality (Essential! For scanning the passport chip)

• A quiet, well-lit environment (required for facial recognition)

​​Application Steps​​

1. ​​Create a UKVI Account:​​

   • Visit the UK Government official website: www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa.

   • Select your visa type (e.g., Student Visa).

   • Fill in your details: name, nationality, date of birth, passport number, BRP card number (if applicable), email, mobile number, etc. Ensure your email and mobile number are long-term valid! This is your lifeline for managing your account!

   • Once registered successfully, your UKVI account is created! This is your only entry point for managing your eVisa .

2. ​​Identity Verification (Core Step):​​

   • During registration or after logging into your account, the system will guide you to download the official app: ​​UK Immigration: ID Check​​ .

   • Within the app, you need to complete the following:

     • ​​Facial Recognition:​​ Take a selfie as prompted. Note: This photo will become the document photo on your eVisa!

     • ​​Scan Passport Chip:​​ Use your phone's NFC function to scan the chip on the biographical page of your passport.

     • ​​Scan BRP Card (if applicable):​​ If you hold a valid BRP card, you also need to photograph and scan it using the app .

   • Follow the app's instructions step-by-step.

3. ​​Submit Application & Link Account:​​

   • Enter the verification code provided by your UKVI account into the app to link the app to your UKVI account.

   • Return to the UKVI account webpage on your computer. Carefully check all information (name, date of birth, passport number, visa type, etc.) to ensure 100% accuracy!

   • Set up security questions (for account recovery).

   • Read and agree to the declarations, then submit your application !

4. ​​Wait for Confirmation & Obtain eVisa:​​

   • After submission, UKVI typically takes 5-10 working days to process the application .

   • Upon successful application, you will receive a confirmation email sent to your registered email address.

   • Your eVisa will be automatically linked to your UKVI account! Log in to your account to view your electronic visa status and detailed information.

   • ​​Generate Share Code:​​ In your account, find the option to generate a Share Code. This creates a code valid for 90 days, which you can use to prove your visa status to third parties (e.g., universities, landlords) .

Congratulations! Your UK 'cloud status' is all set!

​​Special Considerations​​

Keep the following points firmly in mind, as failure to do so could affect your entry and life in the UK:

​​01. Rules for Minor Account Management​​

• Students under 18 must register for an independent UKVI account.

• Parents should create the account using their own email address and then link the child's information using the 'Add a family member' function.

• It is strictly forbidden for parents and children to share an account or to register using the child's email address, as this will lead to the visa application being rejected .

​​02. BRP Card Disposition Plan​​

• Existing BRP cards can continue to serve as supplementary proof within their validity period. However, you must complete the transition to eVisa within 30 days before the card's expiry; otherwise, you will lose your legal residence status .

• New students enrolling in the Autumn 2025 intake will need to apply directly for an eVisa and will no longer be issued a physical BRP card .

​​03. Passport Information Update Timeliness​​

• If you get a new passport, you must update your passport information in your UKVI account within 48 hours; otherwise, your eVisa may become invalid .

• Procedure: Log into your account → 'Add a new identity document' → upload a photo of the signed page of your new passport .

​​04. Essential Documents for Entry (Specific to Transition Period)​​

• Students and dependents who applied before July 15th should carry when entering:

  • Passport with valid visa vignette

  • eVisa electronic proof (take a screenshot from your UKVI account; printing a copy is recommended as a backup)

• Merely presenting the passport without providing eVisa information may lead to the border officer having the authority to refuse entry .

​​Special Reminder​​

All operations for applying, registering, and managing your eVisa must be completed through the official UK government website (GOV.UK)! Be wary of any third-party platforms claiming they can 'handle' your eVisa application! This could lead to personal information leakage, financial loss, or even affect your visa status !

​​eVisa Application FAQ Summary​​

​​Q: What if my eVisa application is refused?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ If you receive a refusal, you can usually apply for an Administrative Review within 28 days via the UKVI website. You will need to address the reasons for refusal stated in the decision letter. If dissatisfied with the review outcome, you might seek Judicial Review, ideally with the assistance of an immigration lawyer .

​​Q: Will my eVisa be affected if I renew my passport?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Yes, you must update your details. After getting a new passport, log into your UKVI account, click 'Update passport details', upload a scan of the biographical page of your new passport, and select 'Link new passport to eVisa'. Wait for system approval, usually within 1-2 working days. When travelling, carry both your old and new passports. Border officers will verify your eVisa against your new passport .

​​Q: What if the system is down at the border and my eVisa can't be checked?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ In such cases, you can show the border officer an electronic or printed copy of your eVisa confirmation (from your UKVI account). It is advisable to save this confirmation before you travel, just in case .

​​Q: How do I prove my status with an eVisa when applying for visas to other countries?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Most countries accept the UK eVisa as valid proof of residence. You can log into your UKVI account, click 'Prove your status' to generate a Share Code, and provide it to the relevant institution. Some countries might require an additional 'Status Letter' from UKVI, which can be downloaded online .

​​Q: Can I prove my legal residence status in the UK with an eVisa but no BRP card?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Yes. The eVisa is recognized by the UK government as legal proof of residence. You can log into your UKVI account to show your eVisa details or provide a Share Code .

​​Q: Can I amend my personal information after successfully applying for an eVisa?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ For non-core information like contact number or email, you can usually log into your UKVI account and make changes directly. If core details like name or date of birth are incorrect, you must submit an amendment request through the official website and provide supporting documents for approval .

​​Q: Can short-term visit visa holders apply for an eVisa?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Starting July 15th, most long-term visas fully adopt eVisas. However, applicants granted study permits on a Visit Visa currently cannot obtain an electronic visa; their passports still require a vignette .

​​Q: Is the validity period of the eVisa the same as the previous visa sticker?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Yes, the validity period of the eVisa corresponds to your visa type and matches the validity period of the previous vignette. For example, a Student Visa's validity typically matches the course duration .

​​Q: How do I recover my UKVI account password if I forget it?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ On the UKVI login page, click 'Forgotten your password?', then follow the instructions, entering your registered email or mobile number to receive a verification code and reset your password .

​​Q: Will UK employers recognize an eVisa for job hunting?​​

• ​​Official Answer:​​ Yes. Employers can use your Share Code to check your eVisa information, understanding your work permissions, etc. The eVisa is recognized by employers as a legal proof of work visa .

The full implementation of eVisas by the UK is an inevitable trend towards digital visa management. Although adapting to the new process might take some time initially, in the long run, it truly allows us to bid farewell to the worries of losing a BRP card, making border crossings and identity verification more convenient and efficient .

American University Staff to Go on Strike if Negotiations Fail

International Education News|2022-08-17

---

MORE