eVisas: access and use your online immigration status

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1. What an eVisa is

An eVisa is a digital record of:

  • your identity and immigration status - for example the type of visa you have or if you have indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK
  • the conditions of your status - for example if you’re allowed to work or study in the UK

eVisas are replacing physical immigration documents.

Biometric residence permits (BRPs) have already been replaced by eVisas. They will also replace:

  • biometric residence cards (BRCs)
  • wet ink stamps or vignettes (stickers) in passports

You’ll usually get an eVisa when you successfully apply for a visa or other type of permission to be in the UK.

How to use your eVisa

You can view your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status, for example when you get a new job or rent a home.

You can also travel with your eVisa after you add your passport or travel document details.

Access your eVisa

You need a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa.

You can set up a UKVI account if you do not already have one.ÌýÌý

You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa.

2. Set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa

You need a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa.

If your partner and children are joining you in the UK as ‘dependants’ then they need their own UKVI accounts to access their eVisas.

Who can access an eVisa

You can usually access an eVisa if you have permission to be in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) for more than 6 months.

You can also access an eVisa if you have permission to be in the UK for 6 months or less for some types of work or study visa.

You’ll be told if you can access an eVisa when you get your visa decision.

You do not need an eVisa if you:

  • are visiting the UK with an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
  • have a Standard Visitor visa
  • have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
  • are exempt from immigration control, including if you’re a diplomat or have ‘right of abode’
  • have permission to stay in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

Check if you already have a UKVI account

You’ll already have a UKVI account if you’ve ever:

  • used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to confirm your identity when applying for a visa
  • created an account when applying for a visa - you’ll have received a UKVI account confirmation email
  • replaced a physical immigration document with an eVisa, for example a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC)
  • applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

If you already have a UKVI account then you should not create another one.

If you’re not sure whether you already have a UKVI account, you can try to sign in to view your eVisa.

Create a UKVI account

To create an account, you’ll need a phone number and email address that you can use each time you sign in.

You’ll also need one of the following, if you have them:

  • a valid passport and your visa application number - this is a global web form (GWF) number or unique application number (UAN)
  • a valid passport and your BRP number
  • your expired BRP card - you can use it for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card

After you create your account you’ll be asked to confirm your identity and link your account to your eVisa.

You’ll need access to a smartphone so you can install an app to confirm your identity. You’ll be able to confirm your identity another way if you either:

  • do not have a valid passport or an expired BRP card
  • cannot access a smartphone or use the app

You cannot access your eVisa until you’ve linked it to your UKVI account. You can  if you did not do it when you created your account.

If you have settlement (‘no time limit’ applications)

If you have a physical document with no expiry date that proves you have settlement in the UK, you do not need to get an eVisa.

You can continue to use your physical immigration document, for example a wet ink stamp or vignette (sticker) that shows you have indefinite leave to remain.

You can choose to get an eVisa so that you have a digital record to prove your identity and immigration status. To get an eVisa, you need to make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application. You’ll still be able to use your physical immigration document to prove your status.

Make an NTL application

To apply, you’ll need:

  • the physical document that proves that you have settlement, for example a sticker showing your indefinite leave to remain
  • the passport or travel document you used when you last entered the UK

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After you apply

It can take up to 6 months to process an NTL application.

After your NTL application is approved, you can set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Get help

You can to get help using your UKVI account or accessing your eVisa.

You can get additional help if you’re in the UK and:

You can also watch eVisa support videos.

Help someone else

You can help someone else to create their UKVI account, for example someone who cannot use the internet. 

You can manage the other person’s account if you’re acting on their behalf, for example if they’re your child or you have power of attorney. Use your own phone number and email address when you create the account, so you can use them to sign in.

If the person becomes able to manage their own account or a child reaches 18, you should update their UKVI account details. Use their phone number and email address so that they can sign in.

3. View your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status

Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status. This includes what rights you have in the UK, for example to work, rent or claim benefits.

You can get a share code to prove your immigration status to people such as employers or landlords, or when you travel.

You’ll need to give them your date of birth. You will not need to show them your eVisa.

The person who uses your share code will see some of your personal details. When you get your share code you’ll be told what they’ll see.

A share code lasts for 90 days. You can:

  • use the share code as many times as you need before it expires
  • get a new share code whenever you need one

View your eVisa and get a share code

You’ll need the details you use to sign in to your UKVI account. This could be your:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence card (BRC) - this can be valid or expired
  • expired biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • UKVI customer number

You’ll also need access to the mobile phone number or email address you use to sign in to your UKVI account.

Report an error with your eVisa

You should report an error with your eVisa if:

  • your eVisa is wrong - for example it’s showing the wrong date of birth or immigration status
  • you can view your eVisa but you cannot use it to get a share code

Update your details before you get a share code

You should update your UKVI account before you get a share code if:

  • you’ve changed your name or nationality
  • you need to change your photo because you cannot be recognised from the current one

If you cannot view your eVisa

Check that you have finished setting up your UKVI account to access your eVisa.ÌýÌý

You can use different services to prove your right to work or prove your right to rent if you cannot access an eVisa.

Get help

You can get help to if you’re having problems signing in to view your eVisa.

if you have other questions about your eVisa or UKVI account.

You can also watch eVisa support videos.

4. Travel with your eVisa

Check that your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and eVisa details are correct before you travel to or from the UK.

You could be delayed at the border or with your carrier (for example your airline) if your details are not correct.

An eVisa is different from an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). An ETA allows people who do not need a visa to travel to the UK for up to 6 months.

Before you travel to or from the UK

Make sure that:

  • your eVisa shows the correct details - you can view your eVisa to check
  • your UKVI account has your most recent passport and personal details - you can update your UKVI account
  • you get a share code - your carrier or a border official may ask for it
  • your details exactly match the passenger information you give to your carrier

If you cannot view your eVisa, check that you have finished setting up your UKVI account.

If you have more than one nationality

Add the passport you’ll use to travel to your UKVI account. You can add more than one passport.

If one of your nationalities is British or Irish, you do not need an eVisa. You should travel with your British or Irish passport.

If your passport or personal details change while you’re outside the UK

Update the details in your UKVI account before you travel if you get a new passport and only the passport number has changed.

You’ll need to if any of your personal details have changed, such as your:

  • name
  • nationality
  • date of birth
  • sex

You’ll be able to update your UKVI account once you’re in the UK.

When you travel

You must travel with a passport or travel document that you’ve added to your UKVI account.

Your eVisa will be checked automatically when you show your passport or other travel document to your carrier or pass through border control.

You might also be asked to provide additional proof of your immigration status, for example:

  • a share code
  • a physical immigration document - if you have one

If you have a physical immigration document

If you have a valid physical document that shows your immigration status, carry it with you when you travel.

Physical documents include a:

  • sticker or stamp (for example, your indefinite leave to remain sticker) in your passport
  • right of abode certificate of entitlement
  • Home Office travel document

Get help

You can if you cannot sign in because you’ve lost access to your phone or changed email address.

You can report an error with your eVisa if you cannot view it when you sign in to your UKVI account.

if you have other questions about your eVisa, UKVI account or sharing your immigration status.

You can also watch eVisa support videos.

If your carrier cannot check your eVisa

Ask your carrier to contact the UK Border Force carrier support hub for help.

5. Update your details in your UKVI account

You should keep your personal details and passport or travel document information up to date so that:

You update your details in your UKVI account.

If your UKVI account is not up to date you might experience delays when you travel or when waiting for a visa decision.

What you need to update

You should update your UKVI account if you change your:

  • passport or travel document
  • name
  • mobile phone number
  • email address
  • home address
  • postal address

You cannot change your name or your passport or travel document if you’re waiting for a visa application decision.

You can also:

  • correct your date of birth
  • add or change a nationality, for example if you have dual nationality
  • add another passport or travel document
  • change your photo, for example if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your current photo

Update your details

You’ll need the details you use to sign in to your UKVI account. This could be your:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence card (BRC) - this can be valid or expired
  • expired biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • UKVI customer number

You’ll also need access to the mobile phone number or email address you use to sign in to your UKVIÌý²¹³¦³¦´Ç³Ü²Ô³Ù.

If you’re updating your name, date of birth or nationality then you’ll need an identity document that proves that it has changed.

You can only use this service to update your UKVI account details. You cannot update any immigration details, for example a visa or a citizenship application.

When you cannot use this service

There’s a if you do not have an identity document that shows your new name, date of birth or nationality.

You should report an error with your eVisa if:

  • the details on your eVisa are wrong - for example it’s showing the wrong name or immigration status
  • the Home Office set up your UKVI account and you’ve never been able to access it

Update details for someone else

If you manage a UKVI account for someone else, you should update the account with their email address and phone number when either:

  • they become able to manage their own account
  • they reach 18 years old

You cannot use this service if you have access to a UKVI account because you helped someone apply for a visa. They need to update their own details.

Get help

You can get help to if you’re having problems signing in.

You can if you have other questions about your UKVI account or eVisa.

You can also watch eVisa support videos.

6. Report an error with your eVisa

You should report an error if:

  • your eVisa details are wrong - for example it’s showing the wrong date of birth or immigration status
  • you can view your eVisa but you cannot use it to get a share code
  • you cannot view your eVisa because of a technical error when you’re signed into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • the Home Office set up your UKVI account and you’ve never been able to sign in to it

You’ll need to give:

  • an email or UK postal address that UKVI can use to contact you
  • your name, date of birth and nationality

If you’re reporting that your name, date or birth or nationality are wrong, you’ll need to give them as they appear in your eVisa.

You’ll also be asked to give one of the following:

  • passport number
  • expired biometric residence permit (BRP) number
  • global web form (GWF) number from your visa application
  • unique application number (UAN) from your visa application
  • UKVI customer number

When you should not report an error

There’s a different way to:

  • update your UKVI account details - for example to change your name, address, email address, passport details or photo
  • if you’ve lost access to the email address or phone you use to receive security codes

Ask someone else to report an error

You can ask someone else to use this service to report the error for you, for example: 

  • a legal representative
  • an employer
  • a friend or colleague
  • a member of staff at a university or charity