New Student visa arrivals

You will need to upload a copy of your passport and attend an in-person appointment for International Check-in after you enter the UK. If you have eVisa access, you should send your share code to us now.

Step 1: Create your eVisa account and check your visa details are correct

  • Check your personal details, your work conditions and the visa permission dates on your visa decision letter and eVisa account. Remember, a Student visa will be issued with extra time at the end of your CAS course end date. The Student visa should be longer than your programme length.
  • As per your visa decision instructions, you should create a UKVI online account to get eVisa access before travel. If you notice a visa error, you should contact your visa application centre if you are still outside the UK so it can be fixed quickly. Otherwise, you would need to report the visa error online after arrival.
  • To enter the UK as a Student, you can onyl travel from your Student visa start date (and not before).
  • Please note, you should have applied and been granted a 'Student' visa, not a ‘Child Student’ visa. The 'Child Student' visa route would be incorrect for study at our University.

Important guidance to follow:

Overview: Getting a visa decision

UKCISA guidance: Check your visa dates are correct

Create your UKVI eVisa account

Make sure your eVisa is correct before travel

Step 2: Complete Registration

Registration is the first step of the matriculation process and confirms your acceptance of the University of Edinburgh's regulations. You must complete this step before international check-in.  

As part of your registration, you will be asked to provide basic information, including your term-time address.  As an international student studying in the UK on a Student Visa, you are required to maintain a valid UK residential address for the duration of your studies.  Similarly, as your Student Visa sponsor, we are required to hold accurate records, including your current UK residential address and contact details.  It is important that you provide the University with accurate information regarding your address and contact details, and that you keep this record up to date. 

Complete Registration

Step 3: Take a photo of your passport and upload it to MyEd

You should take a clear, colour photo (or a scan) of the personal details page of your passport.  

To upload your passport:  

  1. Log in to MyEd.  
  2. Select Accounts>Progression>My Student Record.   
  3. Click the Immigration tab.  
  4. Click ‘Add a new passport’ or ‘Edit information’ for a passport that has already been uploaded. 

You must make sure that all fields are completed in the passport section.  

Step 4: Get a share code from the UKVI website

Your share code will allow us to upload and record details of your immigration status. You should get your share code from UKVI website and complete the form below provide us the details of your share code so that your record can be updated. 

Provide us your share code

Student visas - digital grant (743.81 KB / PDF)

To enter the UK as a Student, you can onyl travel from your Student visa start date (and not before). Please check your visa documents carefully before booking travel to ensure you arrive in the UK at the appropriate time.  If you enter the UK before your visa start date, your student visa will not be activated and you will not be permitted to begin your studies. You would need to leave the UK (and Common Travel Area) and re-enter on or after your visa start date to properly activate your visa.

Step 5: Attend international check-in 

After uploading your passport and emailing us your share code, you will need to complete your international check-in in person.

You will need to bring:

  • Valid passport or travel document
  • Visa Decision Letter (UKVI visa grant email)
  • UK entry date evidence (travel booking or ticket*)

*Bring evidence of your arrival in the UK, such as a travel boarding pass, train, or ferry ticket or booking. We need to check your entry date. If someone else planned your journey, keep physical evidence of your travel bookings to show your name and arrival date into the UK. Please note, nearly all Student visa holders should enter with their eVisa account linked to their passport. No entry stamps will be given in this case. 

Send us your eVisa shade code 

Book your international check in appointment

 

Student visa of less than 6 months:

New Student visa arrivals that have been granted a visa for less than 6 months will not get eVisa access and receive a visa vignette only. 

If you have been granted a Student visa for less than 6 months, you must check whether the visa dates are correct for your programme.

Depending on your programme length, a Student visa would be issued with extra time after the CAS course end date.

Applied outside the UK:

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