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Advice and Counselling Service
  1. Advice and Counselling Service
  2. Visas and international advice
  3. Travelling to and from the UK
  4. Arriving in the UK

Arriving in the UK

This page explains what you will need to when you arrive at the UK Border and the tasks you need to do soon after arriving in the UK.

If you have been granted Student immigration permission, you should carry the following documents in your hand luggage when you arrive in the UK. 

  • A valid passport, with a visa or UK visa vignette (if applicable) 
  • A print-out of your eVisa and a share code (You should make sure your eVisa is linked to your valid passport)
  • Your UKVI decision letter which confirms your leave granted  
  • Your travel ticket 
  • Vaccination certificates, if required 
  • An X-ray certificate, if required 
  • A paper copy of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 
  • Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself while you’re in the UK (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor’s letter) 

Border Force Officers may ask you simple questions about your stay in the UK when you arrive at passport control. See Guide to faster travel through the UK border - GOV.UK

EU,EEA or Swiss nationals with Student permission 

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you applied using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you will receive your permission in the form of an online digital status, you will not receive a physical document. When you enter the UK, information will be checked digitally, and those with a UKVI account will not routinely need to prove their status. To prevent unnecessary delays at the border, it is important to ensure the document you travel on is registered to your account, which you can do by updating your details if you intend to travel on a different document (for example a new passport). We advise that you carry a printout of your decision email, just in case of any issues at the Border.  

Checklist on arrival

  • Your visa vignette (if you have one) will only be valid for 3 months. You need to create an UKVI account to access your eVisa with its full duration.
  • If you apply for a Student visa from 15 July 2025 onwards, you'll not receive a visa vignette. You should create an UKVI account to access your eVisa before travelling to the UK to avoid any issues with carriers and at the UK border. On how to create an UKVI account - Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK. 
  • You can buy a Totem card as evidence of your age to buy alcohol or cigarettes or enter pubs and clubs.  
  • Attend all induction activities arranged by your School and support services, to understand how you can get the best out of your studies. 
  • We recommend that you register with a doctor (GP) as soon as you can after you arrive in the UK. You can find instructions on how and where to register on the Student Health web pages.  
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