What visa document will I use to enter the UK?
The visa document you can use to enter the UK depends on when you apply for your student visa and the instructions provided to you by UKVI.
You’ll either:
- Be issued a UK entry vignette sticker in your passport, or
- Create a UKVI account to link your online immigration status (eVisa).
From 15 July 2025, you may not receive a vignette. Instead, you will be expected to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. You will be instructed on what to do when you receive your visa application decision, so we suggest you carefully read all the UKVI information issued to you. If you are expected to create a UKVI account, you must complete this process before you travel to the UK.
For instructions on how to create your UKVI account and link your eVisa, please watch the UKVI video below:
How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa
When can you travel to the UK?
You can arrive in the UK before your course starts. When you can travel to the UK will depend on the study duration of your course. This can be either:
- up to 1 week before your start date, if your course lasts 6 months or less, or
- up to 1 month before your start date, if your course lasts more than 6 months.
You must not travel to the UK before your visa start date.