eVISA

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 UKVI 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 universities, employers and landlords

Watch the Home Office YouTube 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.  If you have received a letter or email telling you to create an account, follow the instructions.  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.

Watch the Home Office YouTube 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 UKVI  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.

How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)

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. UKVI 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 any other 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.

How to prove your immigration status with an eVisa

You can share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers, universities 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.

Watch the Home Office YouTube video on how to prove your immigration status with an eVisa.

If you need help

You can ask UKVI 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. UVKI cannot give advice on individual applications when you contact them.