GovWire

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?

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 youll 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 we 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

Why do I 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 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. Youll still need to carry your current passport with you.

If youve told us you have a new passport and youre 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.

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

Well 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.

How do I 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, we 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 we sent you to create a UKVI account.

If you have not yet been contacted about creating an account, youll be able to create your account and access your eVisa later in 2024. Sign up for updates on this page to keep up to date on when youll be able to access your eVisa.

If you have permission to stay in the UK, once youve 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, youll get a BRP to prove your rights. You should carry your BRP, along with your passport, when travelling internationally. Once you have a BRP, youll 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 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.

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.

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.

We cannot give advice on individual applications when you contact us.