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. 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 can watch a video on what an eVisa is.
How do you get an eVisa?
From April 2024 BRP holders are being emailed directly with instructions on how to create UKVI account to access their eVisa. These email invitations are being sent in phases, before the service is made available to all BRP holders in the summer. BRP holders who have not yet received an email, the service will soon be opened to all without an invitation, and there is no need to contact the Home Office in the meantime. BRP holders should visit www.gov.uk/evisa for the latest information.
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.
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.
*When generating a share code for the University of Hertfordshire, select 'Other' for a Right to Study check.
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, UKVI will tell you how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa before the expiry date of your BRP. If you have already been contacted to create an account, either by email or in a decision letter, you can now follow the instructions to create a UKVI account. If you have not yet been contacted about creating an account, you’ll be able to create your account and access your eVisa later in 2024. Sign up for updates from UKVI to keep up to date on when you’ll be able to access your eVisa.
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 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 a BRP to prove your rights. You should carry your BRP, along with your passport, when travelling internationally. Once you have a BRP, you’ll be able to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa later this year.
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 help
Use the UKVI account contact form if you need help with creating your UKVI account and getting access to your eVisa.