Your Vignette, BRP and Digital Immigration Status

When you receive your visa decision notice, assuming a positive decision, you will likely have a visa vignette inside your passport. A vignette is a sticker that is placed in your passport and confirms your right to enter the UK. It is important to note that the vignette is valid for 90 days from the date you plan to enter the UK, so make sure you enter the UK before the expiry date.

After arriving in the UK, you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card from the collection location that you nominated during your visa application. Your BRP card contains your personal details, including your visa status, and acts as your UK immigration status document throughout your stay in the UK. You may need to present your BRP card to access services such as healthcare, banking, and renting accommodation, so make sure you keep it safe.

The UK is currently in the process of switching to a new digital immigration system. The new system is gradually being rolled out, with plans to replace BRP cards entirely by 2025. The new system will allow you to prove your immigration status digitally, without the need for a physical document. Some students may be issued with digital permission before 2025, and so you may instead be required to prove your immigration status via a ‘share code’. You will be able to use the government website to view and prove your digital immigration status.