🇬🇧 After your visa
Life in the UK — your first weeks, sorted
Check your visa decision, find somewhere to live, get from Heathrow into London, and find part-time work — the four things every arriving student asks first.
Step 1
Check your visa decision
UKVI doesn't run a public status-tracking portal the way some other countries do — for most applicants, a decision arrives by email, and from 25 February 2026 a successful decision means an eVisa (a digital record) rather than a physical vignette or sticker.
- 1Watch for a decision email at the address you used on your application — this is the primary way UKVI communicates outcomes.
- 2Find your GWF reference number — it starts with the letters "GWF" followed by nine digits, shown on your application confirmation.
- 3If approved, create or sign in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa.
- 4If you need to speak to someone, contact the UKVI contact centre with your GWF number and personal details to hand.
UKVI does not offer real-time case-progress tracking for most applicants — a confirmation of submission and a decision notification are usually the only two updates you'll get.
Step 2
Finding accommodation
Start searching as soon as you have your offer — good rooms fill up weeks in advance.
Unite Students
The UK's largest purpose-built student accommodation operator, across 25+ cities
student.com
Search engine aggregating most UK student-accommodation operators
Rightmove
General private rentals, most useful from second year onward
SpareRoom
Rooms in shared houses
Your university's accommodation portal
Most universities guarantee first-year accommodation if you apply by the stated deadline
Step 3
Heathrow Airport → central London
Pick the option that matches your budget, luggage, and final destination.
Routes and timetables change — confirm current details with the operator before you travel.
Step 4
Finding temporary or part-time work
Check your visa's work-hour conditions before you apply for anything — see the "Working part-time" question in our chat assistant below if you're not sure.
Indeed UK
General job search covering retail, hospitality and part-time roles
Reed
One of the UK's largest general job boards
Totaljobs
General job listings across the UK
Your university careers portal
Most UK universities run a dedicated student jobs board
Veer.ie
Our own recruitment platform for the Irish and UK job market — coming soon
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