The countdown is on...

Soon you'll be arriving here at uni, but before you do here is all the information you need to know if you are arriving from outside of the UK...

This page explains what you will need to when you arrive at the UK Border and the tasks you need to do soon after arriving in the UK.If you have been granted Student immigration permission, you should carry the following documents in your hand luggage when you arrive in the UK. Always check the Advice and Counselling Service information for International Students as the prime source of information, the below is a summary.

• A valid passport, with a visa or UK visa vignette (if applicable) 
• Your UKVI decision letter which confirms your leave granted  
• Your travel ticket 
• Vaccination certificates, if required 
• An X-ray certificate, if required 
• A paper copy of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 
• Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself while you’re in the UK (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor’s letter) 

Border Force Officers may ask you simple questions about your stay in the UK when you arrive at passport control. See 10 top tips from the UK Border Force [PDF 39KB] 

EU, EEA or Swiss nationals with Student permission 

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you applied using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you will receive your permission in the form of an online digital status, you will not receive a physical document. When you enter the UK, information will be checked digitally, and those with a UKVI account will not routinely need to prove their status. To prevent unnecessary delays at the border, it is important to ensure the document you travel on is registered to your account, which you can do by updating your details if you intend to travel on a different document (for example a new passport). We advise that you carry a printout of your decision email, just in case of any issues at the Border.  

Checklist on arrival

• Check your decision letter if you will need to collect their biometric residence permit (BRP) after entering the UK. You will need to collect this from the Post Office you have chosen on your visa application form within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
• Your physical document (BRP or visa vignette) will not be valid beyond 31.12.2024. You will need to create an online UKVI account to be able to show an eVisa by 31.12.2024 to prove your immigration status and rights in the UK starting from 2025. On how to create an UKVI account - Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 
• Once you have collected your BRP card  keep it somewhere safe at home. You do not normally need to carry it with you in the UK and if you lose it, it takes a long time to replace and it is expensive. You can buy a Totem card as evidence of your age to buy alcohol or cigarettes or enter pubs and clubs.  
• Attend all induction activities arranged by your School and support services, to understand how you can get the best out of your studies. 
• We recommend that you register with a doctor (GP) as soon as you can after you arrive in the UK. You can find instructions on how and where to register on the Student Health web pages.  

Coming to campus from the airport? Here are all the best routes

BRP collection

Please pay attention to the information on this page which contains important information about collecting your BRP and what to do if you encounter any problems.

When you are completing your Student Visa application form, you will choose a participating Post Office from which to collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit).

The form will normally default to the Whitechapel Post Office branch, which is nearest to Queen Mary’s main campus. Depending on which campus you will be studying at and where you will be living, this may not be the most convenient Post Office branch for you. You should choose the most convenient Post Office branch for where you are living or studying. 

You can enter an “Alternative Address Postcode” to select a different Post Office branch. 

Please note that there is no Alternative Collection Location (ACL) code for Queen Mary. 

When your Student immigration permission is granted, you will be issued with a visa decision letter explaining the student visa conditions. Normally, this letter will also confirm the date and Post Office location from which you can collect your BRP. Keep this letter safe for your reference. 

If your visa decision letter does not confirm the Post Office from which you can collect your BRP, you should check the payment section of your visa application form for the Post Office location. If you do not have a copy of your completed application, you should be able to log in to your UKVI account and access a pdf.  

You must usually collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival in the UK. You will collect your BRP card from the Post Office you selected on your visa application form. You need to take your passport and decision letter with you. 

Once you have collected your BRP card, check it is correct  straightaway. If there are any errors, refer to our guidance on how to correct the error. It is important that you do this immediately as there is a short period for you to correct errors.  

It is not an error if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but you have permission to stay longer. From 1 January 2025, your BRP will no longer be valid; instead, you will need to prove your immigration status with your eVisa via your online UKVI account. Your decision letter should include instructions on how to create an UKVI account and access your eVisa. You are advised to do so as soon as you can to ensure a smooth digital transition. 

Once you have collected your BRP card, please put it somewhere safe. You do not usually need to carry it with you in the UK. If you lose it, it takes a long time to replace and can be expensive.  

Problems Collecting your BRP 

If you are unable to collect your BRP from the Post Office for any of the below reasons, you should report this to UKVI on the UK Government website.  

• If you do not know where to collect your BRP (for example you have lost your visa decision letter) 
• If your BRP is not available for collection on the date and at the Post Office indicated in your letter 
• If you have lost your passport or identity document 

You can report the problem collecting your BRP by completing a short online form on the UK Government website 

To report a problem collecting your BRP: 

1. Click on the UK Government website 
2. Scroll down to 'Report a Problem' and click on 'Report Now' 
3. Select "From a Post Office" for where you were asked to collect your BRP
4. Choose the option for why you couldn't collect your BRP and give a short description of the problem - If you lost your visa decision letter or never received it, select "I don't know which Post Office to collect my BRP from" and in the free text describe the problem "visa decision letter lost / never received"
5. Provide your name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
6. Provide your contact details (email) and submit the form. 

You should receive a response within five working days. 

Warning: Do not travel outside of the UK until you have collected your BRP. 

Location of Queen Mary’s campuses and Post Office branches (where you can collect your BRP from)

Visas and international student advice

International Student Advisers are here to provide advice and guidance to support current and prospective students, enabling you to focus on your studies and enjoy university life. See the topics below that we provide guidance on. Find out how we can support you and how to contact us:

• Visas for study
• Working during studies 
• Changes during your studies
• Travelling to and from the UK
• Lost documents
• Money options

Our International Student Advisers offer confidential support to all Queen Mary students, providing expert guidance on visa and international student issues. We're authorized to give visa advice, ensuring you stay informed about your options. Our role is to empower you with information and solutions, letting you make decisions that fit your needs. While we usually help you explore solutions independently, we can also advocate on your behalf if needed. Keep in mind that UK immigration rules change, so verify advice closer to implementation.