Your first weeks in the UK go smoothly if you prepare your eVisa, papers, housing and bank account before you land. This checklist covers arrival, your visa record, rent, health care, money, bills and work rules, with every point taken from GOV.UK, the NHS or UKCISA.
Before you fly: your eVisa and arrival papers
The UK no longer produces BRP cards for students who apply now. You get an eVisa, a digital record of your status that you view through a UKVI account. UKCISA says the 90-day entry vignette stopped for main student applicants from 15 July 2025, so do not wait for a sticker in your passport. Create your account at GOV.UK and link it to the travel document you will use to enter the UK.
Carry paper copies in your hand luggage: your university letter with the CAS number, financial evidence, accommodation details and proof of your arrival date. UKCISA warns that officers must be satisfied about your English level. Pakistan is not on the list of nationalities that can use eGates, so expect a Border Force check at the desk.
Do not travel before your visa start date. You may arrive up to one week before the course starts if it lasts six months or less, and up to one month before if it is longer.
Your first week: a checklist
- Check your eVisa in your UKVI account. If it is not showing, wait 24 hours after approval and then report the error.
- Collect your student ID and complete university enrolment. Missing the final enrolment deadline can end your permission to study.
- Register with a GP near your accommodation.
- Open a bank account once you have your enrolment letter.
- Send your UK address to the Home Office once it is fixed, and to your university.
- Apply for council tax exemption if you rent privately.
- Apply for a National Insurance number before you look for work.
Rent, deposits and your share code
| Item | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Deposit cap (England) | 5 weeks’ rent where annual rent is under £50,000 |
| Holding deposit | No more than 1 week’s rent |
| Rent in advance | After signing, no more than 1 month (from 1 May 2026, England) |
| Deposit protection | Landlord must protect it within 30 days |
| Right to rent | Landlord checks your status with a share code; halls are exempt |
Generate a share code at the GOV.UK view-your-status service and give your landlord your date of birth with the code. It is valid for 90 days and can be reused in that time. A physical BRP can no longer prove your right to rent.
University halls are usually booked before you travel, and private housing is usually arranged after you arrive. Many large private developments ask for a UK guarantor, and without one you may have to pay rent upfront. Never pay a deposit without proof of payment. The Renters’ Rights Act applies in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.
Bank account, National Insurance and work
UKCISA suggests opening an account early and asking your university for a letter of introduction. Banks check your identity and permission to be in the UK. MoneyHelper says most banks ask for a passport or driving licence, and a basic account is available if you are refused a standard one.
If you study at degree level at a sponsor with a track record, you can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in vacations. Below degree level the limit is 10 hours. Self-employment and business activity are not allowed, and part-time postgraduate students may not work. A week runs Monday to Sunday.
Apply for a National Insurance number online with your passport. It can take up to four weeks after your identity is proved, and you may start work before it arrives if you can prove your right to work.
Health care and emergencies
Registering with a GP is free and needs no ID, proof of address or immigration status. Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with your visa application and you can generally use NHS hospital treatment in England without further charge. Prescriptions and dental treatment can still be chargeable. Emergency treatment in A&E is free.
- 999 for an immediate emergency, free from any phone.
- NHS 111 for urgent advice, 24 hours; choose the mental health option if needed.
- Samaritans 116 123, free, 24 hours.
Council tax, TV licence and travel
If everyone in your household is a full-time student, you do not pay council tax. A student visa alone does not qualify; your course must last at least one academic year with 21 hours of study a week. Your university gives you a free certificate to send to the council. In halls you usually pay nothing.
A TV licence costs £180 and is needed to watch or record live TV on any channel or use BBC iPlayer. You do not need one only for on-demand services other than iPlayer. The 16-25 Railcard costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years and gives one third off rail fares.
Police registration for students ended on 4 August 2022.
Protect your visa status
- Attend your course; universities report students who stop attending or never enrol.
- Tell your university about any change of address, course or plans to leave early.
- Start preparing an extension about four months before your permission ends.
- Overstaying is a criminal offence, and more than 30 days normally brings a ban of 12 months or more.
BRPs are no longer issued, so follow your university’s enrolment instructions on documents. For typical rents see our UK city guides, which gives sourced prices for eight cities.
How we help
We check your CAS, funds and documents before you fly, and we explain your work and status rules. Read the UK student visa guide for the application itself, then book a free initial consultation. We cannot promise a visa.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get a BRP card as a student?
No. BRP production stopped, so students use an eVisa viewed through a UKVI account. A share code proves your status to landlords and employers.
How long is a share code valid?
A share code is valid for 90 days and can be reused within that time.
Can I work on a UK student visa?
At degree level you can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in vacations. Self-employment is not allowed.
Is the NHS free for international students?
GP registration is free. If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge you can generally use NHS hospital treatment in England without further charge, but prescriptions and dental care can be chargeable.
Do students pay council tax?
Households where everyone is a full-time student are exempt. You must apply to the council with the certificate from your university.
Book a Free Initial Consultation
Official sources: Student visa · Your eVisa · Share code · UKCISA student work · Tenant Fees Act guidance · NHS: register with a GP · Council tax for students. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.