Pre-arrival information

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status, you can access your eVisa by creating a UKVI account.

Using an eVisa is completely free and it does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your stay in the UK.

Create a UKVI account for your eVisa

What is a BRP?

A Biometric Residence Permit or BRP is a document issued by the Home Office to students as evidence of immigration permission. This is also known as leave to enter or remain.

Why are BRPs being phased out?

The UK Home Office is digitalising the UK border and immigration system in 2025. As a result, physical immigration documents such as Biometrics Residence Permits (BRPs) and visa vignettes are being phased out and will be replaced by eVisas.

When will my BRP expire?

The validity of expiring BRPs will now be extended until at least 31 March 2025, with this date subject to ongoing review. It means BRPs that expire on or after 31 December 2024 will be accepted as valid evidence of permission to travel until the end of March. 

Should I apply for an eVisa now?

Yes, we encourage you to create an account and access your eVisa as soon as possible.

Before your BRP expires, you must create a UKVI account and link your current passport or travel document to your account.

How do I create a UKVI account?

Watch this video guide for more information about how to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and access your eVisa.

If you do not already have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, you will be asked to:

• create a UKVI account
• confirm your identity using the ‘UK Immigration ID Check' app

This information will be used to link your eVisa to your UKVI account. You'll get an email to let you know when you can access your eVisa in your account.

To create your UKVI account you will need:

• access to a smartphone
• a mobile phone number *
• an email address *
• your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card **

Create your UKVI account

* Please make sure you provide a phone number and email address which you can access anytime. You will need them each time you use your eVisa to prove your immigration status.

** If your BRP card has been lost or stolen, you can use your travel document, such as a passport, and your visa application reference number to create your UKVI account. Your visa application number is the global web form (GWF) or unique application number (UAN) from your visa application. You can no longer request a replacement BRP card.

After creating your UKVI account, you will be directed to download the ‘UK Immigration ID Check' app to scan your BRP.

Once the scanning is complete, you will be directed back to confirm the following:

• your BRP or application number
• your location
• contact preferences
• account security questions

When your UKVI account is created, you can log in to link your BRP and current passport to your account.

The linking is not instant, it may take a few days to complete. When your eVisa is ready to view, you will receive an email from the Home Office, you can then log in to your UKVI account to access your eVisa.

You can prove your immigration status to others such as landlords or employers by logging in to your UKVI account and generating a share code.

Watch this video on how to prove your immigration status using your eVisa.

You should keep your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account updated.

If you have created your UKVI account with your passport, please add your BRP details to your account, and vice versa.

If you have renewed your passport, please make sure you add the new passport details to your account.

You should continue to carry your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) with you when you travel internationally until it expires.

Keep your expired BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records.

In future, you will be able to use your eVisa to travel to the UK with your valid passport. Before you travel, please login to your UKVI account and check that your passport details are up to date and visa details are correct.

As it may take some time for any updates to be reflected, please leave yourself sufficient time to check these details.

Watch this video to understand how to travel with your eVisa.

If you have a question about creating your UKVI account and getting access to your eVisa, please contact the Home Office about getting access to your eVisa. (Click on the green "Start now" button at the bottom of the page, to access the Home Office chat service.)

All students are expected to arrive in time for Welcome Week and Induction, which starts on Monday 13 January 2025. Although, some courses may have an earlier start date. Please ensure you apply for your visa in time.

We can heavily subsidise the cost of your taxi. This means you will only pay a discounted rate of £20* per person for any journey from Heathrow and Gatwick airport, or £30** per person from St. Pancras International, to the Kingston area.

* Standard taxi rate from Heathrow/Gatwick airport to the Kingston area is approximately £50+ depending on the time of travel.
** Standard taxi rate from St Pancras International to the Kingston area is approximately £70+ depending on the time of travel.

When: 2-13 January 2025

Booking deadline: Two days before your arrival

How to book:

Email booking@zedcarz.co.uk quoting the code 'KingstonUni' in the subject heading of the email.

You'll also need to provide: 

• Your name
• KU ID number 
• Flight number
• Date and drop-off address 

You must quote ‘KingstonUni' to get a discount flat rate of £20 per person for any journey from Heathrow or Gatwick airports to the Kingston University area or £30 per person from St. Pancras International train station. You can pay the driver either by credit card or cash.

If you are coming from Heathrow or Gatwick airport, upon arrival at the airport your driver should be in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it. If you are arriving from St. Pancras International, your taxi will arrange a pick-up spot.

How can I bring money into the UK?

You can bring money into the UK in:

• sterling notes
• travellers' cheques
• bankers' draft
• letters of credit

 You must declare cash of €10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and any non-EU country. 

You could face a penalty of up to £5,000 if you:

• fail to declare cash/travellers cheques/bank drafts/etc you are carrying; or
• provide incorrect or incomplete information.

If HMRC (customs) officials have reason to doubt the legitimacy of properly declared cash, then they have the power to seize it.

These controls will not apply to anyone: 

• travelling within the EU
• travelling via the EU to a non-EU country – as long as the original journey started outside the EU

For further information and contact details, visit this page on the UK government's website. 

How much cash will I need on arrival?

You will need some sterling cash for expenses during the first week – about £250 should be enough. We do not recommend bringing or carrying larger amounts of cash with you. 

If possible, make arrangements to transfer money to a UK bank account. In case there is a problem in transferring money, it is also a good idea to have a further £350 available in travellers’ cheques and a credit card for emergencies. 

If you will be living in private accommodation, then you may need more than this to cover any deposit or rent in advance.

How do I set up a UK bank account?

Most international students will be able to open a basic bank account. This allows you to pay money into the account and withdraw money with a card, but it doesn’t allow credit or for you to become overdrawn. 

Each bank has different requirements for setting up an account – you may need to provide your passport, proof of study and proof of address, but check with your chosen branch. Once you're an enrolled student, the Library and Student Office can produce a letter for your bank with your UK student addresses listed.

It may be possible to set up a UK bank account in advance if you are able to open an account with a multi-national bank so that you can use ATMs in the UK. You would need to check with your bank first if this is possible. 

All the main UK banks have branches in Kingston:

Barclays Bank plc

6 Clarence Street

Kingston upon Thames

KT1 1NY

Tel: +44 (0)20 8250 6644

Bank sort code: 20-46-73

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

83 Clarence Street

Kingston upon Thames

KT1 1RE

Tel: +44 (0)845 0723 333

Bank sort code: 30-94-77

HSBC Bank plc

54 Clarence Street

Kingston upon Thames

KT1 1NP

Tel (within UK): 08457 404 404

Tel (from abroad): +44 12 2626 1010

Bank sort code: 40-26-12

National Westminster Bank plc

Market Place

Kingston upon Thames

KT1 1JX

Tel: +44 (0)845 6101 201

or +44 (0)1634 890 882

Bank sort code: 60-60-02

EEA Immigration Regulations (2016)

It is now compulsory for all students from the EEA and Switzerland to acquire a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before they travel to the UK. Alternatively, students can find a suitable insurance policy and purchase comprehensive sickness insurance (CSI) to cover the duration of your studies. You must find suitable cover now if you do not currently have it.

Most students can obtain an EHIC from their country of residence prior to coming to the UK. This card allows EEA nationals to get the same medical treatment which is free to residents of the country they are visiting, without being charged. The UK government has produced a leaflet about EHIC and access to medical treatment while in the UK. 

In addition, if you are exercising your right to reside in the UK as a student or self-sufficient person, you are required to have comprehensive sickness insurance (CSI) throughout your period of residence in the UK. Having an EHIC satisfies this requirement if you are not intending to be in the UK permanently.

Important

Unless you have paid an IHS surcharge with your visa application, you will need CSI or EHIC for the full duration of your studies. If you already have an EHIC card, you will not need CSI unless you intend to apply for permanent residence. 

If you intend to apply for permanent residence, you must be able to provide evidence that you have been covered for 5 continuous years living inside the UK, with both CSI and EHIC, for your application to be considered. 

You can search online for comprehensive private medical health insurance cover (CSI) that is affordable for you through a reputable insurance company.

Please view the UKCISA pages for more information.

Am I entitled to NHS (National Health Service) care?

Most students undertaking a course of study at Kingston University will be entitled to medical care from the National Health Service (NHS). You are not entitled to NHS care if:

• you are a non-European student studying in the UK for less than six months; or 
• you come from a country that does not have reciprocal health arrangements with the UK 

If you are unsure of your entitlement, please ask the British Embassy, High Commission or British Council for advice before you arrive in the UK.

What does NHS (National Health Service) care cover?

If you are entitled to NHS care, there is no charge to see a doctor or to have medical treatment. There is a flat charge of £9.90 per item for prescription medication (there is no charge for students in full-time education aged 18 and under).

You should register with a General Medical Practitioner (GP) as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. Most medical care is provided by GPs who may refer you to a hospital for a specialist opinion. 

Do I need any vaccinations or screenings before arriving in the UK?

We advise having a Meningococcal Group C vaccine before you arrive in the UK. If you have not had the vaccination before you arrive, your GP in the UK will be able to arrange it for you. Nationals from some countries also now must undergo Tuberculosis (TB) screening before applying for entry clearance/a student visa for the UK. 

How do I register with a GP?

You can search for the nearest GP surgery to your term time address on the NHS website. Follow the link to your nearest GPs website to register as a new patient. 

Alternatively, all students are welcome to join our on-site GP practice. You can register by contacting Fairhill Medical Practice on the University's Penrhyn Road campus.

Can I drive in the UK?

Nationals of all countries can use their national driving licence to drive in the UK for the first year of residence. However, if you intend to drive in the UK for more than one year, you will need to take the UK driving test.

What do I need to know about driving in the UK?

To drive in the UK you must have: 

• a valid driving licence
• valid car insurance 

The car you are driving must:

• be properly registered
• have a current tax disc
• have a current MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate

For more information, visit The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website.

Students will be able to bring dependents, as long as they hold permission for a course of study which the provider has confirmed is either:

• a PhD
• another doctoral qualification; or
• a research-based higher degree 

If you’re studying a two-year integrated programme with an integrated pre-master and research master programme. You will still be able to bring dependents. However, the course level on the CAS must reflect the exit qualification.

A research-based higher degree means a postgraduate programme comprising a research component (including a requirement to produce original work) that is larger than any accompanying taught component when measured by student effort. Please refer to the list of research degrees offered at Kingston University.

Dependants who are already in the UK can extend their permission if the main applicant is granted further leave to remain under the Student Route.

Undergraduate students are not normally permitted to bring dependants. For more information, please see the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

The Graduate Route is only open to those who have successfully completed their course and who have valid Student Route permission when they apply. You must be fully awarded before you can apply. Therefore, if you are required to use your extant leave to complete failed modules, you may not have enough time left on your visa to apply for the Graduate Route.

Whether you are still eligible will depend on your individual circumstances. For more information, contact the immigration advice team on immigrationadvice@kingston.ac.uk.

You must wait until your degree has been officially awarded, which will be following the exam board.

Assuming you have been awarded your full degree, you will be automatically reported for the Graduate Route.

You will receive an email confirmation of this with your CAS number and further details on the application process. 

For further guidance on the full eligibility requirements of the Graduate Route, read UKCISA's graduate route information.

If you are unable to pay any outstanding fees, you will need to contact the finance department immediately at AccountsReceivable@kingston.ac.uk.

If you miss any payments, your status will be suspended. Whilst you are suspended, you will not have any access to your student account. This includes your student email and Canvas access. This will only be reinstated once you have paid the outstanding fees.

For more information on when to pay fees, visit our fees and funding page.