Read this information to find out what to do if you encounter problems with your immigration permission endorsed in your passport (vignette), in your eVisa, or on a BRP (where this is still applicable). From a lost or stolen passport, to errors on your eVisa, find out what action you need to take. Whilst this information is aimed at those with Student permission, we do also explain some provisions relating to those on Visitor permission.
With the roll-out of eVisas in 2024-2025, Government web information is regularly changing and being updated. Currently, gov.uk information on Get a decision on your application indicates that, if you make a successful immigration application outside the UK, you will be issued with one of the following documents depending on the length of your stay and on how you proved your identity during the application process: a vignette for the full length of permission; or a 90-day vignette, accompanied by an eVisa. If you make a successful Student immigration application inside the UK you will now receive an eVisa.
When you receive a vignette and/or eVisa, it is important to check the details on it in case you need to report an error. This includes checking your name is spelled correctly and that the length of your permission and work conditions are correct.
The following information outlines the steps to take if you are in possession of one of these documents and it is lost, stolen, or damaged, and/or it contains errors, and/or you receive a new passport while you are in possession of the document. See Report change of circumstances about what to do if you have a change of circumstances while in possession of one of these documents.
Any reference to 'Student' includes 'Tier 4 (General)' immigration permission, and any reference to 'Child student' includes 'Tier 4 (Child)' immigration permission.
A vignette is a sticker placed in your passport following a successful entry clearance application. It contains basic details about you and the immigration permission you have been granted.
An eVisa is an online digital record of your immigration permission. These have been introduced widely throughout 2024. Read our information about eVisas.
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a physical document in the shape of a credit card which was formerly issued by the Home Office to Students (and their partners and children) as evidence of their immigration permission. The Home Office stopped issuing BRPs on the 31 October 2024, as Students (and their partners and children) are now expected to create a UKVI account and obtain an eVisa. Although you may still be in possession of a BRP if you applied for immigration permission before eVisas were introduced, this will likely contain an expiry date of 31 December 2024 or later. It is important that if this applies to you, you create a UKVI account and obtain an eVisa. Please refer to the gov.uk webpage and the eVisa page for further details on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
See our webpages if you would like more information on applying for Student route immigration permission from outside the UK and inside the UK.
