The UK is transitioning from physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) to digital eVisas for all visa categories, including Student Route. As of 2025, eVisas are available in approximately 90 countries, while BRPs remain the default in others. Your visa grant will be either a physical BRP or digital eVisa depending on where you applied and your circumstances.
What Is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?
A Biometric Residence Permit is a physical card (similar to a credit card) that shows your right to be in the UK. It contains:
- Your photograph
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- Your biometric data (fingerprint)
- Your visa category (Student)
- Validity dates (start and end)
- Conditions of stay (e.g., “no recourse to public funds”, restrictions on employment)
The BRP is issued in your name and is non-transferable. You must carry it at all times while in the UK; failure to do so can result in fines or prosecution.
You collect your BRP from the UK visa application centre in your country of residence, or it can be posted to a UK address if you are applying from within the UK. Collection usually takes 1–2 weeks after visa approval.
What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital visa record held on the UK government’s system. It is not a physical document. Instead, you:
- Receive a notification that your visa has been granted
- Download a digital letter of grant via UK Immigration Online
- Access your visa status anytime by logging into your online account
An eVisa does not replace your passport—your right to be in the UK is proven by accessing your online visa status when requested. You do not print or carry a physical card.
Employers, educational institutions, and immigration officers can verify your eVisa by entering your passport number and date of birth into a UKVI portal.
Key Differences: BRP vs eVisa
| Feature | BRP (Physical) | eVisa (Digital) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Physical card (plastic) | Digital record (online) |
| Collection | Pick up from visa centre or post | Download from online account |
| Proof of visa | Show the card | Print the digital letter or access online status |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks after approval | Immediate download |
| Validity | 5 years (or course duration, whichever is shorter) | Validity matches your visa period |
| Renewal/extension | Apply for new BRP | Update eVisa online (same process) |
| Cost | Included in visa fee | Included in visa fee (cheaper pathway) |
| Passport requirement | Separate from passport | Linked to passport only |
Country Availability: Where You Can Get an eVisa
As of 2025, eVisas are available in approximately 90 countries. The UK government is rolling out eVisas in phases:
Phase 1 (available now): Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, USA, and approximately 80 other countries.
Phase 2 (rolling out through 2025–2026): Most remaining countries. India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and other high-volume countries will transition to eVisa later in 2025.
Check the gov.uk website for the most current list of eVisa-eligible countries. Your institution’s international office can also confirm whether eVisa is available in your country.
If eVisa is not available in your country, you will receive a BRP by default.
The eVisa Advantage: Faster Processing and Lower Cost
If you are applying from an eVisa-available country, you benefit from:
- Lower visa fee: £284 (instead of £719 for BRP application)
- Faster processing: Decisions within 1–2 weeks of biometrics (vs. 3–8 weeks for BRP)
- No collection wait: Download your visa immediately upon approval
- Easier verification: No need to carry a physical card; employers and institutions verify online
Financial saving for a 1-year course: £435 (£719 − £284) + IHS £1,035 = approximately £1,754 vs. £2,189 for BRP pathway.
For 3-year PhD: Savings are £435 (eVisa fee saving only; IHS is the same regardless).
BRP Phase-Out Timeline
The UK government plans to phase out all BRPs by the end of 2027. Students who received BRPs will be required to transition to eVisas through a “digital transition” process in late 2026–early 2027. You will not need to reapply; instead, UKVI will provide a way to transition your visa to the eVisa system online.
New students applying after late 2025 or early 2026 will likely receive eVisas automatically (if available in their country).
What Happens If You Arrive in the UK Before eVisa Transition?
If you received a BRP and are studying in the UK, you must carry your BRP as proof of your visa. You do not need to request an eVisa while your BRP is valid. When the government announces the digital transition process (expected 2026), you will be invited to transition to an eVisa, which will involve:
- Creating or accessing your UK Immigration Online account
- Following the online transition process
- Your BRP will automatically expire once your eVisa is activated
This transition will be free and automatic—you do not need to apply or pay fees.
What You Need to Know About Using Your eVisa
If you received an eVisa:
Proof of status: To prove your visa status to employers, your institution, or immigration officers, you can:
- Print your digital visa letter
- Access your online visa account and show the screen
- Provide your passport number and allow them to verify via the UKVI portal
Some employers prefer a printed copy; carry one in your documents pouch.
Dependant visas: If your spouse or children are on dependent visas, they will receive eVisas if you received an eVisa. The same rules apply.
Employment and student status: Your eVisa contains all conditions on your stay. Most Student Route conditions include a 20-hour work limit during term time and unlimited work during holidays. Employers can verify these conditions via the UKVI portal.
Travelling outside the UK: If you travel outside the UK (e.g., holiday at home), you will need your passport and access to your eVisa record. Print your digital visa letter or ensure you can access your online account at the airport.
If You Lose or Cannot Access Your eVisa
If you cannot access your eVisa account:
- Go to UK Immigration Online and log in with your email and password
- If you forget your password, use the “Forgot password” option
- If you cannot recover your account, contact UKVI support
You can always print your digital visa letter for your records. A printed copy is widely accepted as proof.
If your passport is stolen or renewed, your eVisa is linked to your passport number. When you get a new passport, you must update your visa record online via the same account. This is a simple process taking a few minutes.
Dependants and eVisas
If your spouse and/or children are joining you in the UK as dependants, they will apply for dependent visas. If you received an eVisa, they will also receive eVisas (if available in their country). If eVisa is not available, they will receive BRPs.
Each dependent will have their own digital visa and online account.
eVisa and Future Visa Extensions
If you extend your Student Route visa (e.g., for an additional semester), you will apply online through UK Immigration Online. Your new eVisa will be activated, and your old one will expire. You do not need to reapply for a physical card—everything happens digitally.
This article is for general information only and is not immigration advice. Consult a regulated OISC/IAA adviser for your case.
Sources
- gov.uk: UK eVisa Information
- UKVI: Biometric Residence Permit and eVisa Transition
- UKCISA: eVisa and BRP Guidance for Students
Last updated: 2025-05.