> eVisa - Online Immigration Status 🔥

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. You do not need to apply for a new visa, unless you need a visa extension.

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. You should retain your physical documents including expired BRP cards for future visa applications for the UK.

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 employers and landlords 

You can watch a video on what an eVisa is.

NEW: eVisa Workshops for International Students

The following dates are available for all current International students who need to set up their UKVI account and / or link their eVisa to their UKVI account.  Please bring your fully charged mobile phones, your passport and your BRP Card, there will be PC's available for use. Here is the link to book onto the eVisa workshop

Why do you 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 you use your 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 so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border. You’ll still need to carry your current passport with you.

You can share your immigration status information with third parties, such as, employers, landlords or the University* 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. 

New travel guidance on Gov.UK

New guidance to proactively resolve issues related to an eVisa before travel is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel

You can watch a video on how to travel with your eVisa.

*When generating a share code for the University of Hertfordshire, select 'Other' for a Right to Study check.

How to create your immigration 'share code'

This video explains how to create a 'share code', which you can use to prove your immigration status and your right to work, rent, study, and qualify for certain benefits.

How do you 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. 

**PLEASE NOTE** 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 another physical document

If you have Indefinite Leave to Enter or Indefinite Leave to Remain (also known as settlement) 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. If your NTL application is successful, you’ll get an eVisa and 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 they are permitted, while your no time limit (NTL) application is being considered and after it is decided.  This includes for proving your immigration status, right to work or rent, or for travel to the UK.

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 need to make a new visa application

If you need to make a new visa 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 

Use the UKVI account contact form or online chat if you need help with creating your UKVI account and getting access to your eVisa.  

There is also free support available for vulnerable people to set up their UKVI account.

Reporting a problem with an eVisa

If you notice any error with your eVisa, such as with your name, photograph or an incorrect status, you can use the online service to report it and request the error be corrected: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa.

People without ID who have an account created by the Home Office can also use this service to update their email address and mobile number.