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 people 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 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.
You can use an eVisa to travel to the UK together with your current passport which must be linked to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you should continue to carry your physical document if you have it, for example your BRP, until it expires.
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 should report an error to UKVI if your details are wrong on your eVisa, for example your name or immigration status.
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 should make sure your personal details are up to date well in advance before you travel. You may be delayed or denied boarding by carriers if your information is not correct. 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.
You can watch a video on how to prove your immigration status with an eVisa.
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.
Children
Everyone must have their own UKVI account. Where a child under the age of 18 is unable to create and manage their own account, a parent or guardian should do this for them. You can read more about creating a UKVI account for a child.
How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?
If you have a biometric residence permit
You can use your BRP to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. All BRPs will expire shortly. Most BRPs expire on 31 December 2024. You should create your UKVI account before your BRP expires. You should continue to carry your BRP with you when you travel internationally until it expires.
Keep your expired BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records. If you have a physical immigration document, you can continue to use it until it expires.
You can use your travel document, such as a passport, and your visa application reference number to create your UKVI account if your BRP card has been lost or stolen.
If you were granted permission to enter or stay in the UK before 31 October and were given a BRP, but no longer have that BRP or another identity document such as a valid passport, you can create your UKVI account. You will be told what you need to do to prove your identity.
You can no longer request a new or replacement BRP card. Read the guidance on what to do if yours has been lost, stolen or damaged. Since 31 October 2024, we no longer issue BRP cards.
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. If you have a valid BRP you can use it to prove your immigration status, where permitted, until your eVisa details are available.
If you do not have a valid passport
If you were granted permission to stay in the UK after the 31 October but do not have a valid passport, we will create an account for you. You will be notified by email or letter with instructions on how to access it.
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 free ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application. Once your NTL application is decided, you will receive an eVisa. You will be told how to access your eVisa in your decision email or letter.
You can continue to prove your rights using your existing physical documents where these are permitted. This includes for proving your right to rent or for travel to the UK.
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 are a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode in the UK, you do not need an eVisa. You can prove your right to live and work in the UK using a British citizen passport, or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in your foreign passport.
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.
If you are a vulnerable person, you may be able to get additional help to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
We cannot give immigration advice on individual applications when you contact us.
Updates to this page
Last updated 31 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated guidance to reflect BRPs no longer being issued.
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Updated guidance to say we will stop issuing any new BRP cards from 31 October 2024.
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Added a reference to no longer being able to get a replacement BRP card and added a link to a video on how to prove your immigration status using your eVisa.
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Added section about children needing a UKVI account and a link to the eVisa community support for vulnerable people.
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Updated to let people know to keep their BRP card.
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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.