Updated:

Student Visa Information for NEW students

For International Students (non EU or EEA passport holders)

To do BEFORE you travel to the United Kingdom

  • All international passport holders (EU and EEA passport holders, please see guidance at the bottom of this page) must create their eVisa prior to travel or face refusal on entry into the UK!  If your visa is granted before the 15th of July 2025, you will receive a physical vignette in your passport. Those visas granted later will not receive a vignette.   
  • To create your eVisa you must create a UKVI account and link your documents to this account.
    To do this: Follow the steps in your visa decision email from UKVI or go to https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa 
  • Linking your documents can be done in two ways. It is important that you choose carefully! 
  • Using the UK Immigration ID Check app on a smartphone.  Note: You must check that you can use this app in your region before you start. If it is not compatible with your phone or your region, you must choose the ‘do not have a smartphone’ option and follow the steps below 
  • Use another device that has a camera such as a laptop/desktop device/ipad. After selecting the option ‘do not have a smartphone’ follow the steps to upload images of your identity document and of your face. You will also need to scan your face using the device’s camera. The onscreen instructions will guide you.   

The smartphone option is preferable if it’s possible as it will likely be quicker.  You can borrow a smartphone for this as long as it is compatible with the UK Immigration ID Check app. 

What you MUST bring with you to campus on day 1 to complete your enrolment at Richmond 

  • Your boarding pass to prove when you entered the UK. It must have your name and date of arrival. Do NOT leave this with your parents or friends! It can be paper or electronic.  This is crucial as we need proof that you did not arrive before your visa start date!    
  • Your original passport 
  • Be ready to show an eVisa share code 

For EU or EEA and Swiss passport holders

To do BEFORE you travel to the United Kingdom

  • EU and EEA passport holders will automatically get an e-visa once their visa is granted.
  • Please go to https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and generate a share code and complete the form HERE

    What you MUST bring with you to campus on day 1 to complete your enrolment at Richmond:
  • Your boarding pass to prove when you entered the UK. It must have your name and date of arrival. Do NOT leave this with your parents or friends! It can be paper or electronic.  This is crucial as we need proof that you did not arrive before your visa start date!    
  • Your original passport 
  • Be ready to show an eVisa share code