What You Need to Know
The UK is going digital with immigration status records. The Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are moving away from physical documents like biometric residence permits (BRPs) and passport stamps. They’re replacing them with secure, online records called eVisas. Here’s what that means for you:
✅ What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status. It includes your permission to stay or enter the UK and any conditions attached to your stay (like work rights). It’s stored online, not on a physical card or stamp.
You must create a UKVI account to view and manage your eVisa.
📲 Why Is the UK Switching to eVisas?
Benefits include:
- Cannot be lost or stolen – unlike physical cards or passport stickers
- Faster and easier to access – view your status online
- Simplifies travel – border checks and document sharing are quicker
- No waiting for a physical card – once your visa is granted, you’re good to go online
Millions already have an eVisa through programs like the EU Settlement Scheme.
🔑 How to Access Your eVisa
You need to complete three steps:
- Create a UKVI account (free of charge)
- Confirm your identity
- Link your account to your eVisa
Once this is done, you can:
- View your immigration status
- Generate share codes to prove your right to work, rent, or stay in the UK
- Update your contact or passport details
🛑 Important: Always keep your passport details up to date in your UKVI account, especially before you travel. Your passport must be linked to your account.
✈️ Traveling to the UK with an eVisa
- You must carry your current passport when you travel.
- Your eVisa must be linked to this passport in your UKVI account.
- Before travelling, generate a share code (valid for 90 days) – some airlines may ask for it.
If you recently updated your passport and it hasn’t been reflected in your UKVI account, bring both your old and new passports.
👪 What About Children?
- All children need their own UKVI account.
- For under-18s, a parent or guardian must manage the account.
🆕 Who Needs an eVisa?
You must get an eVisa if you:
- Have permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months
- Have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status
You cannot get an eVisa if your visa is for less than 6 months – yet.
📅 Important Dates & Rules
- If your BRP is expired, you can still use it to create a UKVI account for up to 18 months after expiry
- Keep expired BRPs – they may be useful for future applications
- You should carry your BRP when travelling to the UK until 1 June 2025
🔁 What if You Have Another Type of Document?
- If you have a stamp, vignette, or old-style visa, apply for a free ‘No Time Limit’ (NTL) application to get your eVisa
- If you are eligible under the Windrush Scheme or EU Settlement Scheme, you can apply for eVisa access
What If You’re a British or Irish Citizen?
- If you hold a British or Irish passport, you don’t need an eVisa
- If you have the right of abode in the UK, you can use a certificate of entitlement in your foreign passport
Need to Make a New Visa Application?
Follow the usual online process. You’ll be guided on how to create a UKVI account during your application.
Final Reminder:
The UK is no longer issuing new BRPs. The future is digital. If you haven’t yet created your UKVI account, do it now to avoid delays at borders or issues proving your status.
eVisa is your new immigration ID – secure, fast, and always with you online. For further queries, please contact Asif Consulting.
