UK eVisa: How to Access, Use and Travel With Your Digital Status UK

TITLE=UK eVisa: How to Access, Use and Travel With Your Digital Status

In short

The UK eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status that replaced physical documents like BRPs. You access it through a free UKVI account, can generate share codes to prove your status to employers and landlords, and must link your passport before travelling. The system is mandatory for most visa holders and settlers, and getting your account set up correctly before travel is essential to avoid delays at the border.

1. What Is a UK eVisa and Who Needs One

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions attached to it. It replaced physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), and visa vignettes (stickers) for most people. Your eVisa shows whether you have a time-limited visa, settlement in the UK, or another form of permission, together with any restrictions on work or study.

Most people who have applied for a visa or permission to stay in the UK since the eVisa rollout will already have one. This includes holders of indefinite leave to remain, those with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and anyone granted a work, study, or family visa. If you are travelling on an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for a short visit, you do not need an eVisa.

If you still hold a valid visa vignette in your passport, that sticker remains valid until its expiry date. However, once it expires, any future status will be issued as an eVisa. Similarly, if you have a BRC, you may still be able to use it in some situations, but the Home Office is encouraging everyone to move to the digital system.

2. How to Create and Link Your UKVI Account

To view or use your eVisa, you need a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Setting one up is free. You will already have an account if you have ever used the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app during a visa application, created an account when applying online, replaced a BRP with an eVisa, or applied to the EU Settlement Scheme. If you are unsure, try signing in at gov.uk/evisa before creating a new account.

To create a UKVI account you need a phone number and email address you can access each time you sign in. You will also need one of the following: a valid passport plus your visa application number (GWF or UAN); a valid passport plus your BRP number; or an expired BRP (usable for 24 months after expiry or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first). After creating the account, you must confirm your identity, usually via a smartphone app. Alternative identity confirmation is available if you do not have a valid passport or expired BRP, or cannot use a smartphone.

Crucially, you cannot view your eVisa until you have linked it to your UKVI account. If you created the account but skipped the linking step, sign back in and complete it. If you are helping a dependant or someone who cannot use the internet, you can create and manage their account on their behalf, using your own contact details for sign-in.

3. Proving Your Status With a Share Code

One of the main benefits of the eVisa system is the ability to generate a share code that lets third parties check your immigration status online. This is how you prove your right to work to an employer, your right to rent to a landlord, or your status to a university or the NHS. You can view your eVisa and get a share code by signing in to your UKVI account.

Each share code is valid for 90 days and can be used more than once. For right-to-work and right-to-rent checks, the organisation enters the code on gov.uk alongside your date of birth to see your status instantly. This removes the need to hand over physical documents and reduces the risk of loss or damage. If you are applying for a spouse or partner visa, your sponsor may also use a share code to confirm their settled status as part of the application.

Keep your UKVI account details secure. If you lose access to the phone or email linked to the account, you can use the account recovery service to regain access.

4. Travelling With Your eVisa

Before you travel to or from the UK, check that your UKVI account holds your correct personal details and that your current passport or travel document is linked to the account. Your carrier — airline, ferry operator, or rail company — may deny boarding if your details do not match the passenger information you provided at check-in. You may also face delays at the UK border.

Your eVisa is checked when you leave and enter the UK, either by a border officer or at the eGates. You do not need to carry a physical BRP, but it can be sensible to keep an old vignette or stamp showing indefinite leave as backup proof. If you hold more than one nationality, add the passport you intend to travel with to your UKVI account. You can store multiple passports in the system.

If your passport or personal details change while you are outside the UK, update your UKVI account before you return. With a biometric passport you can update passport details, name, and nationality yourself online. For other changes, or if you do not have a biometric passport, you may need to ask UKVI to update your account and possibly submit new biometrics at a visa application centre. Planning ahead avoids the stress of being stranded.

Remember: an eVisa is not the same as an ETA. The ETA is for visitors who do not need a visa, while the eVisa is for people who already have UK immigration permission. If you are unsure which applies to you, check gov.uk/check-uk-visa before booking travel. For personalised advice on your visa status or how to extend your stay, you can also speak with a qualified adviser.

5. Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Despite the convenience of a digital system, problems do arise. The most common issue is being unable to view the eVisa after creating a UKVI account. This almost always means the account was not linked to the eVisa during setup. Sign back in and follow the linking steps, or contact the UKVI webchat for help.

Another frequent problem is mismatched passport details. If you renewed your passport after setting up your UKVI account, the new document will not be linked automatically. Log in and add the new passport before you travel. If your name or nationality has changed, update these through your account if you have a biometric passport, or contact UKVI if you do not.

Some applicants worry about what happens if their phone is lost or their email address changes. The account recovery service can restore access, but it is wise to keep your account details written down securely. If you spot an error in your eVisa — for example, the wrong visa type or expiry date — you can report it directly to UKVI. Do not ignore discrepancies; an incorrect eVisa can cause serious problems at the border or with employers.

If you are transitioning from a BRP to an eVisa and your BRP has expired, you can still use it for identity verification for up to 24 months after expiry, or until 31 December 2026, whichever is sooner. After that, your eVisa becomes your sole proof of status. If you need personalised help navigating these changes, our team can review your account setup and travel readiness.

6. Costs, Timescales and What Happens Next

Creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa is free. There is no charge for generating share codes, updating passport details, or recovering your account. The only potential cost is if you need to submit new biometric information at a visa application centre because of a significant change in personal details while outside the UK.

Setting up the account and linking your eVisa typically takes 15–30 minutes if you have your passport and application details to hand. Confirming your identity via the smartphone app is usually instant. If you need to use the alternative identity route, the process can take several days while UKVI verifies your documents.

Looking ahead, the Home Office plans to complete the transition to fully digital immigration status for all visa holders. Physical BRPs and BRCs are being phased out, and new applicants already receive eVisas by default. If you are planning to apply for ILR or British citizenship in the near future, your eVisa will be the primary record used to assess your continuous residence and lawful status in the UK.

Because immigration rules and digital systems change, always verify the latest guidance on gov.uk/evisa before making travel or application decisions. The information in this guide is accurate as of September 2026, but policies can be updated with little notice.

Sources

This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always check gov.uk for the current position. Speak to a qualified adviser before applying.