Travelling to the UK with a visa

Check your visa documents before travel to the UK (visa vignette sticker or visa decision/eVisa)

When you arrive at a UK port or airport, you may meet with an immigration officer or be able to use a eGate. An officer or the automated eGate will check your passport and immigration/visa permission before allowing entry to the UK.  

Remember, you can only travel to the UK from the visa start date on your visa vignette sticker or your visa decision letter/eVisa. 

Depending on your visa route, you may be given either:

• a sticker (called a vignette) that goes in your passport - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre
• visa decision letter and access to an online record of your immigration status (‘eVisa’)

The vignette or online eVisa immigration status information will show:

• what you’ve been granted (for example, a Student visa)
• the dates your visa is valid (start date and end date)
• the conditions of your visa

Differences between visas:

• Student visa applicants will have been issued a visa decision letter (by email) and be able to obtain online eVisa account access. 
• Standard Visitor visa applicants do not receive a visa decision letter and will NOT get access to an online eVisa account. A visa vignette sticker in the passport would act as entry clearance.

Online eVisa guidance (visa longer than 6 months)

Getting a decision on your visa application

Using an automated eGate when you arrive with a visa (includes EU, EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and United States nationals) 

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 visa for longer than 6 months and have got access to your online eVisa record, you must make sure your current passport is linked to your account correctly. 

You will need to scan your passport using the automated checks that will verify your identity. You will need to enter the UK from your visa start date only and not before. 

You should keep a copy/photo of your boarding passes or travel itinerary as evidence of entry to the UK (for international check in purposes)

Guide to faster travel via an automated eGate

If travelling to the UK via the Republic of Ireland

The UK and the Republic of Ireland are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This means that if you enter the Republic of Ireland and then transit onward to the UK, you will not pass through UK immigration control checks.

If you have been granted a UK visa as Student or Visitor before travelling to the UK you will not need to worry about not going through UK border control: your visa permission will be valid if you enter the UK within its validity dates. You should keep evidence of your travel itinerary as it is relevant for completing your 'international check in' with the University.  

UKCISA guidance on entering the UK via Republic of Ireland