eVisas
Last updated: 9 January 2025
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s immigration status. It removes the need for physical documents such as the biometric residence permit (BRP), passports containing a vignette (a physical visa sticker) or an immigration ink stamp.
The Home Office is transitioning to a fully digital border and immigration system by 2025. Anyone with a physical immigration document will need to replace it with an eVisa and hold a digital UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) account by the end of 2024.
Creating an eVisa is free and it will not affect your current immigration status. However, you will still need to pay the usual fees for applying for or renewing your immigration status.
The latest information on eVisas is available at www.gov.uk/evisa and you can register to receive updates whenever this page is updated. It will be updated throughout 2024.
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Home Office video - What is an eVisa?
How to get an eVisa
You will need a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa.
You may need to create a UKVI account yourself if you do not have one already.
If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024, you can now create a UKVI account and access your eVisa here. You should do this before the expiry date of your BRP.
You can use your travel document, such as a passport, or visa application reference number to create your UKVI account if you have lost your BRP card. You should only request a replacement BRP if it has been lost or stolen and you have no other form of identity document to create a UKVI account.
If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you’ve created your UKVI account you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa.
If you cannot see your eVisa details as soon as you create your UKVI account, there is nothing you need to do. The Home Office will contact you directly by email once your eVisa is available to view. You can use your BRP to prove your immigration status until your eVisa details are available.
If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain evidenced by a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, then you should make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application.
If your NTL application is successful, you will first get a biometric residence permit (BRP). Once you have a biometric BRP, you’ll be able to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
Later in 2024, the Home Office will take steps to launch a revised NTL application process which provides an eVisa directly, without issuing a BRP.
If you are a European with indefinite leave to remain or their family member, you can consider either a NTL application or a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme, if you are eligible.
Not everyone will be given a UKVI account. You have a UKVI account if you:
- applied to the EU Settlement Scheme
- applied for a visa and used the UK Immigration: ID Check app
- created one when applying for a visa (you’ll have received a UKVI account confirmation email)
- created one to get access to an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status) – you’ll have received an email about this.
You do not have a UKVI account if you went to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Service Support Centre (SSC) to prove your identity when applying for a visa.
If you do not have a UKVI account, you can now create one and access your eVisa here.
Some individuals already have a digital-only immigration status, or eVisa, which is accessed though a UKVI account. This includes:
- pre-settled or settled status holders via the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- British National (Overseas) visa holders
If you already have an eVisa, you will not need to reapply.
British passport holders and Irish citizens do not need to do anything. This includes those who previously held an immigration status but have since acquired British citizenship.
British citizens who do not have a British passport because they are dual nationals (excluding Irish passport holders) may need to take action in future regarding how they prove their right of abode. Updates on this will be provided by the Home Office in due course.
If your circumstances are not listed above (for example, you are unsure of your immigration status or you are undocumented) then it is recommended that you seek advice.
Please see our sections about immigration advice and insecure of unclear immigration status.
Deadlines
Physical immigration documents are gradually being phased out by 2025. This means that most individuals should set up their UKVI account by the deadline of December 31 2024 to access their eVisa.
If you do not have a UKVI account you can now create one and access your eVisa.
The latest updates and information can be found at www.gov.uk/evisa.
My biometric residence permit (BRP) expires before 31 December 2024
All physical biometric residence permits (BRPs) will expire by 31 December 2024, regardless of the expiration date on the holder's immigration leave.
If your immigration status and your biometric residence permit (BRP) expires before December 2024 you should make an application to extend your immigration status.
If you successfully apply for a visa and are issued with a BRP up until Autumn 2024, you will also need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
From autumn 2024 most immigration applicants will automatically receive an eVisas instead of a physical immigration document. You will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
UKVI Accounts
You will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
Once logged in, you will be able to:
- update your personal information
- view and prove your immigration status
- check your rights and any conditions attached to your visa.
You must keep your details up to date on your UKVI account.
UKVI accounts are being automatically created for individuals who apply for immigration status through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
If you hold physical documents, you'll need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
To create a UKVI account, you will need:
- access to a smart phone to download the UK Immigration: ID Check app
- an email address
- your identity document, for example a passport
- BRP number or visa application number (this might be called a UAN or start with letters GWF)
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Home Office video - How to create a UK Visas and Immigration account and get access to your eVisa
If you encounter any issues while setting up your UKVI account, you can contact the UKVI eVisa Webchat for assistance. They can guide you through the process and help resolve any problems.
The Home Office will also provide detailed online guides and FAQs to help you with common issues.
Individuals who already hold an eVisa but are not sure how to use it can find further information in their original grant letter or email or Home Office guidance.
The Home Office provides Assisted Digital support via We Are Group (WAG) to provide support for people who:
- do not feel confident using a computer or a mobile
- do not have internet access
- do not have access to a device like a laptop or smart phone
The ‘We Are Group’ service will assess your eligibility and provide support. You may be able to get phone support from an advisor or face to face support in person. Language support will be available for people eligible to access this service.
You can contact them here:
[email protected]
Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944
Telephone: 03333 445 675 Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
The Home Office will also provide funding to not-for-profit organisations to support vulnerable people with more complex needs. This support is expected to be available from 01 September 2024.
If you lose access to your UKVI account, you should contact UKVI support immediately to regain access. They will guide you through the process of recovering your account, which may involve verifying your identity through additional security checks. It’s important to keep your account credentials secure and updated to avoid losing access.
Proving immigration status
Starting in January 2025, proof of immigration status will be exclusively digital.
This means you might face difficulties proving your immigration status from January 2025 onwards if you don't set up your UKVI account to access your eVisa by the deadline of 31 December 2024.
This could affect your ability to work, rent property, access services in the UK, or traveling in and out of the UK.
Once you have a UKVI account, you will be able to generate a 'share code' to prove your immigration status via the View and Prove service. You may need to share this with others to prove your rights in the UK, such as employers or landlords.
If you do not have a UKVI account and you have a Biometric Residency Permit (BRP), you can generate a ‘share code’ without a UKVI account to confirm your right to rent and right to work.
Other physical proof of immigration status, such as ink stamps or vignettes in passports, should still be accepted as evidence of rights until 2025 and in line with Home Office guidance.
If you wish to print a copy of your eVisa, this cannot be used as an official document by employers, landlords, or the health service. All verifications will be done online. The printed version is for your reference only.
The Department for Work and Pensions and the National Health Service in England and Wales can securely access the immigration status of people with eVisas when they seek to claim benefits or access healthcare.
This means that you should not be asked to present proof of status when seeking UK government health services and benefits. You may still be asked to provide ID to confirm your identity.
You should continue to carry your in-date physical immigration documents with you when you travel internationally. If you already have an eVisa you should tell the Home Office about any passport on which you intend to travel with by updating your digital account.
The Home Office allows carriers, including airlines, ferries, and international train operators, to automatically access the visa of passengers when they present their passport which is linked to their digital account.
Some carriers might ask you for a "share code" to check your eVisa. You can generate a share code from your UKVI account using the View and Prove service, you should use the “other” type of share code not the one for employers or the one for landlords. Share codes are valid for 90 days and so you can generate the share code before you travel if you are returning within 90 days.
If you are unable to show your eVisa or provide a share code the carrier must contact the Home Office to verify your status. Carriers may also allow you to board using an expired BRP or BRC until at least 31 March 2025.
The Home Office has set up 24/7 passenger support helpline which opened on 31 December 2024 to assist with any issues relating to travelling on eVisas, problems with your UKVI account, or to resolve issues with carriers. The helpline number is 0800 876 6921 (free) or 0203 337 0927.
You can find further information about how to report eVisa issues to the Home Office in this eVisa Bust Card created by the3million and Migrants Organise.
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