Online immigration status (eVisa)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. This means we are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.

The documents being replaced are:

• biometric residence permits (BRP)
• biometric residence cards (BRC)
• passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
• vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes

Since 2018, millions of customers have received an eVisa online, for example through the EU Settlement Scheme.

What is an eVisa?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 registercreate for a UKVI account to viewbe andable shareto relevantaccess information about your status securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords.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.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 thenthe end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one.one. 

The benefits of eVisas include:include: 

• they are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical documentdocument 
• 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 we will tell you if you need to do thisthis 
• it will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK borderborder, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords 

Why do I need a UKVI account?account? 

YouUKVI needare toreplacing registerphysical fordocuments awith UKVIan accountonline torecord accessof theyour viewimmigration andstatus.  

You proveneed serviceto andcreate seea yourUKVI eVisa,account asto wellaccess asyour eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK.UK, using the view and prove service.  

You cando alsonot updatehave personalto detailspay throughto yourcreate a UKVI account,account. 

How suchwill asI use my UKVI account? 

Once you have created your contactUKVI account you will be able to view the details orof your currenteVisa passportonline, details.for Youexample doyour nottype haveof topermission, paywhen toit registerexpires forand ayour conditions of stay in the UK.  

You can update your personal information in your UKVI account.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 us 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.border. 

How will I use my UKVI account?

You can use your UKVI account details to log in to the view and prove service to see your eVisa. You can also share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers or landlords.

Youlandlords, can do this by generating a share code in the view and prove service,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.status. 

We’ll continue to share relevant information about your immigration status automatically with some government departments and other public authorities. This will reduce the need for you to interact with online services when proving your immigration status.status. 

How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?account? 

If you currentlyhave a biometric residence permit 

If you have permissiona biometric residence permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024, we will tell you how to staycreate ina theUKVI UKaccount and access your eVisa before the expiry date of your BRP. 

If you have already been contacted to create an account, either aby BRP,email or in a BRCdecision orletter, otheryou physicalcan documentsnow follow the instructions we sent you to provecreate youra immigrationUKVI status,account. 

If you dohave not haveyet been contacted about creating an account, you’ll be able to takecreate anyyour actionaccount now.

Throughoutand 2024,access we’llyour provideeVisa later in 2024. Sign up for updates on this page to keep up to date on when you’ll be able to access your eVisa.  

If you needhave permission to registerstay 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 another document as evidence of your permission to stay in the UK, for example a stamp in your passport, you cannot create a UKVI account,account and whataccess your eVisa yet.  

You should continue to use your current document until we tell you that you need to do.create a UKVI account.  

If you need to make a new application

If you need to make a new 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.account.  

There

If willyou beneed updateshelp 

Use tothe thisUKVI pageaccount settingcontact outform available support if you need help towith registercreating foryour a UKVI account.account and getting access to your eVisa.  

If you do not have permissioninternet toaccess stayor indo thenot UK,have onceaccess you’veto completeda yourdevice UKVIlike accounta registrationcomputer, you’lllaptop beor ablesmart tophone, seeyou yourcan eVisaget help filling in theyour viewonline andapplication. 

We provecannot service.give advice on individual applications when you contact us.