eVisa UK Immigration Status Guide 2025

The eVisa UK is a digital record of an individual’s immigration status and the conditions attached to their stay.

An eVisa shows whether someone has permission to live, work, rent or study in the UK. It can be accessed through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and isused to generate share codes for employers, landlords or other third parties to verify someone’s rights.

The eVisa is now the primary (and increasingly the only) way to prove your UK immigration status. As the Home Office continues to phase out physical documents like biometric residence permits and visa vignettes, individuals must rely on a UKVI account to access and share their status digitally. It is essential therefore to manage your eVisa correctly and keep your account details up to date, as errors or outdated information can cause problems in day-to-day life. Without accurate digital status, you may face delays or refusals when travelling, starting a new job, renting a home or accessing public services.

The following guide sets out what an eVisa is, how they are used and what they mean for foreign nationals in the UK.

 

What is an eVisa UK?

 

An eVisa UK is a secure, digital record of a person’s immigration status, held online by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). It confirms key information about the individual’s right to live, work, study or rent in the UK.

Introduced as part of the Home Office’s transition away from physical documents, such as biometric residence permits and passport vignettes, eVisas are now a central feature of the UK’s online immigration management system.

Documents being replaced with eVisas under the UK’s digital system include biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements (e.g. indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps) and vignette stickers in passports (e.g. entry clearance or visa vignettes).

However, the transition from physical documents to digital status has not been without issues. Some users have experienced difficulties accessing their UKVI accounts or linking a new passport to their eVisa. There have also been instances of carriers being unable to verify status at check-in, resulting in travel delays or denied boarding.

To avoid problems, individuals are advised to set up their personal UKVI account to access their eVisa, and ensure their account information is up to date.

 

Who needs an eVisa for the UK?

 

Anyone who holds valid immigration permission to live, work, study or join family in the UK under a visa route will either already have an eVisa or will need to transition to one.

For example, you will need an eVisa if you:

 

• Hold a UK visa granted for work, study, family or long-term residence
• Are applying to extend or switch your immigration status within the UK
• Have indefinite leave to remain but currently rely on a physical document (such as a BRP or a passport stamp) to prove your status
• Have status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme

 

You do not need an eVisa if you are a British or Irish citizen, are visiting the UK for less than six months or have indefinite leave to remain evidenced by a stamp or vignette, although it is recommended that those with physical evidence of indefinite status switch to an eVisa.

 

BRP to eVisa transition

 

The transition from Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and BRCs to eVisas is part of the UK Home Office’s wider plan to digitise immigration status records. Physical cards such as BRPs have traditionally served as physical proof of a person’s right to live, work, study or access services in the UK. However, from the outset of 2020, new BRPs have been issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, regardless of the actual length of the holder’s immigration permission. This was intended to coincide with the introduction of a fully digital system.

Due to delays, the deadline was extended, and expired BRPs and biometric cards under the EU Settlement Scheme remained valid for international travel until 1 June 2025. However, with this grace period now over, eVisas are now a mandatory requirement when proving status and permission to enter the UK.

Individuals with valid immigration status whose BRPs are expiring should create a UKVI account and access their eVisa online as soon as possible. Once registered, they can manage and share their status digitally, without relying on a physical document.

Importantly, switching to an eVisa does not affect the conditions or duration of a person’s leave. However, failure to update details, such as a new passport, may result in delays at the border or difficulty proving status to employers or landlords.

It is also advisable to carry your expired BRP to use in addition to your eVisa if you have one.

 

If you have a passport stamp or vignette

 

If you were granted indefinite leave to enter or remain and your status is evidenced by a vignette or stamp in your passport, you should apply for an eVisa as a digital record of your status. The Home Office no longer issues BRPs for No Time Limit (NTL) applications. Instead, successful NTL applicants now receive an eVisa, accessible through a UKVI account.

The application is free of charge and does not change your existing immigration status. It allows you to access and share your status securely online, for example with employers or landlords.

To begin the process, you must apply online for a No Time Limit application via GOV.UK. Once your application is approved, you will be invited to create a UKVI account. Your indefinite status will then be held digitally as an eVisa, replacing the need to rely on outdated passport endorsements.

It is important to keep your passport details up to date in your UKVI account to avoid delays when travelling or proving your right to work or rent in the UK.

 

What are eVisas used for?

 

An eVisa allows you to prove your immigration status online, including your right to work, rent and travel.

 

Right to work checks

 

UK employers must carry out right to work checks on all new employees. If your status is held digitally, you will need to provide a share code via the GOV.UK ‘Prove your right to work’ service. Share codes are valid for 90 days.

To get a share code, you will need to create a UKVI account, by visiting the ‘Prove your right to work to an employer’ webpage at GOV.UK. Choose the relevant reason for sharing your information, and you will then receive a share code, which you can provide to your sponsor/employer. This share code grants them temporary access to the necessary information. You must also provide them with your date of birth to confirm they have your consent to access your information.

Your employer can use the share code to check the types of job that you are allowed to do and the length of time that you can work in the UK. If your right to work in the UK is time-limited, your employer will need to conduct a follow-up check when this is due to expire. This is to ensure that you have successfully applied for an extension of stay to be in the UK.

 

Right to rent checks

 

In the context of renting property, all landlords looking to rent residential property located in England must first check that any new tenant over the age of 18 has the right to rent before entering into a tenancy agreement with them. A right to rent check is a prescribed form of online or manual check to be conducted by landlords or letting agents when letting privately-rented accommodation. As with right to work checks, this is to ensure that any tenants are lawfully allowed to live in the UK and that those without lawful immigration status are prevented from accessing the private-rented sector.

If you have an eVisa, you must provide a share code and your date of birth using the GOV.UK ‘Prove your right to rent in England’ service. Share codes again expire after 90 days. Time-limited tenants will require follow-up checks.

If you are an eVisa-holder, you will need to generate an online share code to prove your right to rent. To obtain a share code, you will need to visit the ‘Prove your right to rent in England’ webpage at GOV.UK using either your biometric residence permit or card number, or your passport or national identity card. If your right to live in the UK is time-limited, your landlord will also need to conduct a follow-up right to rent check when this is due to expire to ensure that you have been approved for an extension of stay to be in the UK.

 

Travel to the UK

 

From 2 June 2025, travellers to the UK can no longer use expired BRPs or BRCs as proof of their immigration status. Only digital eVisas will now be accepted to confirm permission to enter the UK, with limited exceptions. This follows the end of the Home Office’s transitional period, which had temporarily allowed the use of expired permits beyond their printed expiry date of 31 December 2024.

Travellers are advised to ensure their passport is correctly linked to their UKVI account, and that the information on the eVisa is correct and up to date, to avoid delays or denial of boarding.

 

How to Access your eVisa

 

To access your UK eVisa, you need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This account allows you to view and share your immigration status online, including your rights to work, rent, or study in the UK.

The key steps are as follows:

 

Step	Action
1	Create a UKVI account Go to www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa and set up your account using a valid email address and phone number.
2	Confirm your identity Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to verify your identity using your passport or biometric residence permit (BRP) and a compatible smartphone.
3	Link your eVisa Once your identity is confirmed, your immigration status will be linked to your UKVI account. You will receive an email when this is complete.
4	Keep your details up to date Update your UKVI account with any new passport or personal information at www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details.
5	Generate a share code (if needed) Visit www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status to share your immigration status with an employer, landlord or other third party.

 

 

You can update personal details through your UKVI account, such as your contact or current passport details. Importantly, you must keep your passport details up-to-date in this account, and tell UKVI about any relevant changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border so as to minimise the possibility of delays.

 

What does an evisa look like?

 

An eVisa does not have a physical appearance like a passport vignette or a BRP; it is a digital record stored in the UKVI system.

When you log in to your UKVI account, your eVisa will display:

 

• Your full name
• Your immigration status (e.g. Skilled Worker, Student, Indefinite Leave to Remain)
• The conditions of your stay (e.g. right to work, study, or rent)
• The validity period of your status (start and end dates, if time-limited)
• Your passport number (which must match your current valid passport)
• Options to: Generate a ‘share code’ for employers or landlords; or Update details, such as your passport or contact information

 

The record is purely online and there is no downloadable certificate or digital “card” image. It’s accessed and verified through secure links on the GOV.UK website.

Employers, landlords and carriers cannot see your eVisa unless you give them a temporary share code and your date of birth to access your status through the appropriate verification service.

 

How to link your passport to your eVisa

 

Your eVisa must be linked to your current, valid passport so that your immigration status can be correctly verified when travelling or proving your right to work or rent in the UK. Airlines and border staff use your passport number to check your status, and if your eVisa is not linked to your current passport, you could be refused boarding or delayed at the border. Employers and landlords may also face issues verifying your status if your details do not match.

To link your passport to your eVisa, you must update your passport details in your UKVI account, using the following steps:

 

Step	Action
1	Go to the official GOV.UK service: Update UKVI Account Details
2	Sign in to your UKVI account using your email address and password.
3	Select ‘Update your details’ and choose to update your passport or identity document.
4	Enter your new passport number, country of issue, and the issue and expiry dates.
5	Submit the update. You will receive confirmation, and UKVI may contact you if further verification is needed.

 

 

Common issues with eVisas

 

Many travellers have reported being denied boarding or facing delays at foreign airports due to airline staff’s inability to verify eVisas, particularly during the earlier stages of the implementation process. Despite assurances from the Home Office that carriers could access immigration status through automated checks or the ‘View and Prove’ service, practical difficulties persist. Some travelers had to log into their UKVI accounts on personal devices to demonstrate their status, leading to stressful situations and missed flights.

Users have also encountered various technical problems, including being unable to link new passports to their eVisa accounts; errors in personal information displayed on the eVisa; difficulties generating or using share codes for employment or housing purposes; and instances of account data mismatches, where individuals found incorrect information or other people’s details in their accounts, raising data protection concerns.

Refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals without digital literacy or access have been disproportionately affected. Some have been unable to access their eVisas, hindering their ability to secure housing, employment, or benefits. In certain cases, refugees received eVisa accounts linked to Home Office email addresses, leaving them without access to their own immigration status information.

Several service providers, including employers, landlords, and healthcare providers, have also shown unfamiliarity with the eVisa system, which has led to difficulties for visa holders in proving their status, resulting in denied services or requests for unnecessary documentation.

The initial deadline for transitioning to eVisas was set for 1 January 2025, but due to various issues, was postponed to 1 April 1 2025, and further extended to 1 June 2025. Despite these extensions, communication about the changes has been inconsistent, leading to confusion among visa holders and service providers.

If you’re experiencing problems with your eVisa, use the official GOV.UK service to report inaccuracies or issues with your eVisa. You can also contact the UKVI Resolution Centre for assistance with technical problems or account access issues. If you’re unable to resolve issues independently, take professional advice.

 

Need assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris are UK immigration specialists. For advice on your UK immigration options, or any aspect of a Home Office application, contact us.

 

eVisa UK FAQs

 

What is an eVisa for the UK?

An eVisa is a secure, online record of a person’s immigration status and conditions of stay in the UK. It replaces physical documents such as BRPs and visa vignettes.

 

Do I need an eVisa to live or work in the UK?

If you hold a visa to work, study or join family in the UK, you will either already have an eVisa or need to create a UKVI account to access it. British and Irish citizens do not need an eVisa.

 

How do I check my UK immigration status online?

You can view your eVisa by logging into your UKVI account at www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

 

Can I travel without a BRP if I have an eVisa?

Yes, provided your eVisa is correctly linked to your current passport. However, some carriers may still ask for your BRP, so check before travelling.

 

What should I do if I get a new passport?

You must update your UKVI account with your new passport details so your eVisa can be matched to your current travel document.

 

How do I prove my right to work or rent in the UK?

You need to generate a share code from your UKVI account and give this, along with your date of birth, to your employer or landlord.

 

Are visas and eVisas the same?

A visa is the permission granted by UKVI to enter or remain in the UK, often previously evidenced by physical documentation. An eVisa is the digital record of this permission.

 

Is the UK eVisa the same as an ETA?

 

An eVisa is an online record of permission to live in the UK, while an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a mandatory online pre-screening process for visitors from specific countries.

 

Is there a fee to get an eVisa?

There is no separate charge for the eVisa itself, but you must pay any relevant standard visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable.

 

What if I can’t access my eVisa?

You should contact UKVI or report the issue via the official GOV.UK website. You may also seek support from an immigration adviser if needed.

 

Is an ETA the same as an eVisa?

An ETA is a travel authorisation for short visits by non-visa nationals, whereas an eVisa is a digital record of immigration status for visa holders.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
eVisa	A secure, digital record of a person’s immigration status in the UK, held online by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
UKVI	UK Visas and Immigration – the part of the Home Office responsible for managing the UK’s visa system and immigration status records.
BRP	Biometric Residence Permit – a physical card used to confirm a person’s immigration status, gradually being replaced by eVisas.
BRC	Biometric Residence Card – similar to a BRP, issued mainly to family members of EEA nationals. These are also being phased out.
Vignette	A visa sticker placed in a passport, used to confirm short-term immigration permission such as entry clearance or a visitor visa.
No Time Limit (NTL)	An application process for individuals with indefinite leave to enter or remain who want digital confirmation of their status.
Share Code	A temporary code generated via a UKVI account that allows others, such as employers or landlords, to verify immigration status online.
Right to Work	The legal right for a person to be employed in the UK, which employers must check using approved procedures.
Right to Rent	The legal right to rent residential accommodation in England, which landlords must verify before letting to a tenant.
ETA	Electronic Travel Authorisation – a pre-screening requirement for certain non-visa nationals visiting the UK for short stays.
EVW	Electronic Visa Waiver – a simplified travel authorisation previously used by nationals of selected Gulf countries, being replaced by the ETA.