Online immigration status (eVisa)
Information on eVisas and why you need one.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. This means we are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.
The documents being replaced are:
- biometric residence permits (BRP)
- biometric residence cards (BRC)
- passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
- vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
Since 2018, millions of customers have received an eVisa online, for example through the EU Settlement Scheme.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.
Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one.
The benefits of eVisas include:
- they are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document
- you will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this
- it will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords
You can watch a video on what an eVisa is.
Why do I need a UKVI account?
UKVI are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status.
You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK, using the view and prove service.
You do not have to pay to create a UKVI account.
You can watch a video on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
How will I use my UKVI account?
Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, for example your type of permission, when it expires and your conditions of stay in the UK.
You can update your personal information in your UKVI account, such as your contact details.
Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account. You must keep your passport or ID card details up to date in your UKVI account and tell us about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border. You’ll still need to carry your current passport with you.
If you’ve told us you have a new passport and you’re still waiting for confirmation that your UKVI account has been updated, you should also carry your old document with you, if possible, to avoid unnecessary delays at the border.
You can watch a video on how to travel with your eVisa.
You can share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers or landlords, by generating a share code in the view and prove service, which will give them time-limited access to your immigration status information. You can get a new share code whenever you need one – you do not have to remember a single unique code to be able to prove your status.
We’ll continue to share relevant information about your immigration status automatically with some government departments and other public authorities. This will reduce the need for you to interact with online services when proving your immigration status.
How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?
If you have a biometric residence permit
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. 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. We 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 another physical document
If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement or settled status) and you currently prove your rights through 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 to replace your document with a BRP. Once you have a BRP, you’ll be able to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
You may be able to make a late application for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme if you:
- are an EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen or their family member
- have been resident in the UK since before 31 December 2020
- have held indefinite leave to enter or remain under another route since before 31 December 2020
If your application is successful, you will get a UKVI account and access to an eVisa automatically.
If you are settled in the UK and do not have a document to prove your right to stay in the UK
If you or your parent were settled in the UK on 1 January 1973, or you arrived in the UK before the end of 1988, you should check if you are eligible to apply for evidence of your status under the Windrush Scheme.
If you have a biometric residence card
If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa and you do not need to take any action to obtain one. You can find details of how to access and use your eVisa (your digital status) in your grant letter or email. You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.
If you have a BRC and you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.
To continue living in the UK you should get an immigration status as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen. Do not travel internationally until you have obtained a proof of your immigration status.
If you are a British or Irish citizen with a passport, or you have the right of abode
If you are a British or Irish citizen, and you hold a British or Irish passport, you do not need an eVisa or a UKVI account and do not need to do anything. You should continue to use your passport to prove your status in the UK.
If you are a British citizen and are also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or you have the right of abode in the UK and you do not have a British passport, then you may need to take action in future. We’ll update this page to tell you what you need to do.
If you have the right of abode in the UK and you still have your BRP, check what you need to do with your BRP after being granted citizenship.
If you need to make a new application
If you need to make a new application for permission to stay in the UK, you should follow the usual application process. There will be information and guidance provided during your application process if you need to create a UKVI account.
If you need help
You can ask for help with creating a UKVI account and getting access to an eVisa.
If you do not have internet access or do not have access to a device like a computer, laptop or smart phone, you can get help filling in your online application.
We cannot give advice on individual applications when you contact us.
Updates to this page
Last updated 6 August 2024 + show all updates
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Updated wording to include details for out of country applicants.
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Added a link to a video on how to create a UKVI account and get access to your eVisa.
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Added a link to the web chat feature for help with creating a UKVI account.
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Added in a link to the eVisa video page.
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Added what to do if you have another physical document or a biometric residence card.
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Updated content to add more information about people with biometric residence permits.
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First published.