Travelling to the UK on a Student visa

After your Student visa is granted

When your Student visa is granted you will receive:

• a visa decision letter (usually by email)
• access to your online UKVI account and eVisa

Your Student permission will normally start one month before your course start date or seven days before the intended travel date provided in your Student visa application, whichever is later. 

Your eVisa will show:

• visa type/status (for example, Student Route)
• sponsor licence number (23CYGN5K3)
• visa validity dates (start and end date of your visa)
• visa conditions

Entering the UK

When you arrive in the UK (at a UK port or airport), you may:

• speak to a Border Force officer, or
• use an automated eGate (if eligible).

Your passport and immigration permission (eVisa) linked to it will be checked before you are allowed to enter the UK.

You must not travel to the UK before the start date of your Student visa. If you enter the UK before the start date of your Student visa, your Student visa permission will not be activated. 

Using an eGate

The UK automated eGates can be used by nationals of: 

• the European Economic Area (this includes EU countries)
• Switzerland
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea
• the United States 

If you have a Student visa and access to your eVisa, you must make sure the passport you are travelling with is linked to your UKVI account before you travel. 

You must enter the UK on or after the start date of your Student visa using the passport linked to your eVisa status. If you are eligible to use an automated eGate, you will need to scan your passport and your face to verify your identity.

If you use an eGate, you will normally not receive an entry stamp in your passport. Please keep a copy of your boarding pass or travel itinerary as evidence of your arrival in the UK. You will need this when completing International Check-in at the University.

Please note, if you try to enter the UK before your Student visa start date, you won't be able to study and:

• You will be required to leave the UK (the Common Travel Area (CTA), which includes Ireland)
• You will need to re-enter the UK on or after your Student visa start date to activate your Student permission

Automated eGates guide

Important Student visa information

Next Step

Once you have arrived in the UK, you must complete International Check-in as soon as possible. It is an essential part of the matriculation process and allows the University to confirm your immigration status before you can fully enrol.