Getting an online immigration status (eVisa)

You should check if you can get online evidence of your immigration status - also called an ‘eVisa’. 

Most physical immigration documents are being replaced by eVisas. This includes:

• biometric residence permits (BRPs)

• biometric residence cards (BRCs)

• stamps in passports

• 'vignette' stickers in passports

• frontier permits

Getting an eVisa is free and won’t change your permission to live in the UK.

You’ll need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account before the end of 2024 to access your eVisa.

You should create an account for each person who has permission to stay in the UK - this includes your children and dependants.

If your biometric residence permit expires on 31 December 2024

Most biometric residence permits (BRPs) have an expiry date of 31 December 2024 - because eVisas are replacing BRPs. This doesn’t mean your visa ends on this date.

You should create a UKVI account for your eVisa before your BRP expires. 

If you’re not sure when your visa ends, you can check the letter you got from the Home Office when they approved your application.

If you still can't find when your visa ends, talk to an adviser.

Video from the Home Office - what is an eVisa?

When you'll get an online immigration status

When you'll get an eVisa depends on your situation.

If you already have an online account

You don’t need to create a UKVI account if you already have one.

You’ll need to link your eVisa to the account.

You might already have a UKVI account if you’ve applied for:

• pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

• a student visa

• a British National (Overseas) visa - and you’re from Hong Kong

You’ll need the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to confirm your identity and add your eVisa to the account.

If you can’t access your account 

You can get help to recover it. You’ll need to have access to the phone number and email address used to create your account. Check how to recover your UKVI account on GOV.UK.

Creating an online account

You’ll need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to get an online immigration status. 

You’ll be able to use your UKVI account to:

• view and prove your online status

• check what rights you have in the UK

• update your personal details - like your contact information

To create your account, you’ll need to download the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app on a phone. This is so the Home Office can confirm your identity.

You’ll also need access to an email address so the Home Office can send you updates.

If you’ve already proved your identity at a Visa Application Centre or Service Support Centre, you still need to create a UKVI account.

Create a UKVI account on GOV.UK.

You can check how to download the UK Immigration: ID Check app on GOV.UK.

Scanning identity documents

To create a UKVI account, you usually need to use the app to scan either a BRP card or a current passport. If you have trouble doing this, you can enter the details from the documents instead.

It’s worth using your passport to create the account if you can. This means you’ll only need to show your passport when you enter the UK.

If you’re a refugee, you can’t use a passport from your home country. You can use a BRP card or a different passport.

If you want to use a BRP card, it must be current or it must have expired in the last year.

If you want to use a current passport, you’ll also need a reference number. You’ll need either:

• a BRP number - if your BRP was lost or stolen, you can still use the number if you know what it is

• your Home Office reference number - this is sometimes called a ‘unique application number’ (UAN) or ‘global web form’ (GWF) number

You might find your reference number on letters or emails from the Home Office about your most recent visa application.

If you need help creating an account

You can ask someone you trust to help you set up the account - like a friend or family member. You’ll get an email with a link to your account.

The Home Office has arranged for some organisations to help people who might struggle to set up an account. It’s worth contacting them if for example:

• you’re sick or disabled

• you struggle with English

• you’re homeless

Check which organisation can help you set up an account on GOV.UK.

If you can’t manage your own account, you can add someone to your account who can do it for you - known as a ‘proxy’. For example, you might need a proxy if you’re a child or you have a disability that means you can’t do it yourself. You can remove a proxy from your account at any time.

If you’re a proxy and you manage an account for a child, you can transfer control to them when they’re ready to manage the account. You’ll need to change the email address and phone number on the account.

If you still need help creating a UKVI account, talk to an adviser.

If you need help using a computer or mobile device

You can get help from the Home Office’s assisted digital service if you either:

• aren’t confident using a mobile device or computer

• don’t have access to a mobile device or computer

• don’t have internet access

The service is provided by We Are Group.

They can help you over the phone. You might be able to visit someone or they might be able to visit you at home - this will depend on where you live. Find out how to get help from We Are Group on GOV.UK.

We Are Group

Tel: 0333 344 5675 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)

Text: 07537 416 944 - text the word VISA

Textphone (using Next Generation Text): 18001 0333 344 5675

Email: visa@we-are-digital.co.uk

Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 030 numbers.

If you don't have internet access

You can use the internet free of charge at:

• your local council - find your local council on mygov.scot

• your local library - find your local library on myscot.gov

After you apply

If you can’t see your eVisa straight away, don’t worry - the Home Office will email you when it’s ready to view in your UKVI account. This usually takes 2 to 3 days - but it can take up to 8 weeks.

While you’re waiting for your eVisa to be ready, you can use your passport and BRP for travel until the end of 2024.

You can also use your BRP to get share codes to prove your right to work. You can do this for as long as you still have permission to stay in the UK.

You should keep your BRP after you get an eVisa, and even after the BRP expires. It might make it easier to apply for visas in the future.

Proving your rights in the UK

When you apply for a job, you’ll need to give a share code to your new employer - this will show you have the right to work. Get a share code for your employer on GOV.UK.

You might need to give a share code to another organisation, for example a bank or building society when you set up an account. You might also want to give a share code to an adviser so they can check your immigration status. Get a general share code on GOV.UK.

You can still use your expired BRP to get a share code until the end of 2025 - as long as your visa is still valid.

Your share code code is only valid for 90 days - if it isn’t used within the 90 days you’ll need to get a new one.

Some organisations don’t need a share code because they’ll check your immigration status with the Home Office directly. You don’t need a share code to:

• claim benefits

• get hospital treatment

• get help from your local council

Proving your right to enter the UK

It’s important to create your UKVI account before you travel.

If you have a passport you can use to travel, you should also make sure it’s linked to your eVisa before you book your journey.

If you’re a refugee, you can’t use a passport from your home country.

You can check your linked documents on your UKVI account. Sign into your UKVI account on GOV.UK.

When you book your journey or check in, you’ll have to give the details of your passport or BRP. The airline, ferry operator or Eurostar will check that your document is linked to an eVisa.

You might still need to show you have an eVisa if you have to change planes or ferries in another country during your journey. Make sure you can log into your UKVI account and show your eVisa. You might also want to print a screenshot of your eVisa to take with you.

This system is still very new. At the moment, it’s worth taking proof that you have an eVisa with you when you travel. For example, you can:

• check you’ll be able to log into your UKVI account and show your eVisa during your journey

• print a screenshot of your eVisa to take with you

• take a share code with you - get a share code from GOV.UK

If you have a BRP, it’s still worth taking it with you when you travel. If it expires on or after 31 December 2024, it should still be accepted by airlines, ferry operators and the Eurostar until the end of March 2025.

If you’re a refugee or you have humanitarian protection

You might not have a passport or BRP you can use to travel.

If you have another physical document that shows your right to enter the UK, you should give the details of this document when you check in. It isn’t connected to your eVisa, but the airline, ferry operator or Eurostar should still be able to check your status.

If you don’t have a physical document, you’ll need to give them a share code. Get a general share code on GOV.UK. You should also make sure you can log into your UKVI account and show them your eVisa. You might also want to print a screenshot of your eVisa to take with you - this might help if you struggle to log in.

Updating your UKVI account

Important

Make sure you keep your account up to date

If you don't keep your account details up to date, you might not be allowed to enter the UK.

You’ll need to update your UKVI account if:

• you renew or replace the identity document you used to apply - for example, if your passport expires

• you change your name - for example, if you get married 

• you change your address, phone number or email address - your contact details need to be up to date so you can view or share your status

• you want to change your identity document or add another one - this includes adding a second passport if you’re a citizen of 2 countries

If you used your BRP to create your UKVI account

It’s worth adding your passport to the account. This means you’ll only need to show your passport when you enter the UK.

You can add or change your identity document using your UKVI account. You might be asked to send your passport or national identity card to the Home Office.

It will be a number of weeks before you can log in with your new identity document details - make sure you keep the details of your old one until then. 

When you add a new identity document to your account, you’ll need to sign in using that identity document in the future.

Don’t worry if you can’t see your old identity document on your account. It’s still there, but the system might only show the most recent one you’ve added.

You can update your details in your UKVI account on GOV.UK.

If you don’t get confirmation after you've updated your account, or you’ve been waiting longer than 4 weeks, contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre.

If you have problems with your eVisa

If you need help setting up your UKVI account, you can ask the Home Office for help using webchat on GOV.UK.

If your details are wrong on your eVisa, or the Home Office used the wrong contact details when they set up your UKVI account, you can report an error with your eVisa on GOV.UK.

If you need help using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, sharing your status or updating your details, contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre.