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evisa

Digital immigration status: eVisa

The UK Government is developing a more digital and streamlined border and immigration system. This means replacing your physical documents with an online record of your immigration status, known as 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. Your visa status is stored digitally meaning that all your visa information is accessible online.

What do I need to create my UKVI account?

  • Compatible smartphone
  • Email address and phone number
  • Valid passport
  • Application reference: GWF for applications submitted overseas or UAN for in-country applications
  • BRP (if you have one, even after it’s expiry date)

If you have indefinite leave to remain or enter as a vignette, wet-ink stamp on your passport, or were never issued an immigration permission in the UK, you will need to apply for a “No time limit (NTL)” application free of charge. Once the NTL application is decided, you will receive an eVisa.

** There is no cost associated to the creation of your UKVI account**

How do I access my eVisa, after creating my UKVI account?

Check out the video guidance from UKVI: How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa

  1. Create your UKVI online account
  2. Verify your identity using the UK Immigration ID check app, don’t forget to give the app access to your camera
  3. Link to eVisa
  4. Wait for confirmation that your UKVI account has been linked to your eVisa and check if all details are correct

How can I prove my rights in the UK?

To prove your right to rent, work or study you need to generate a share code which is valid for 90 days. Check out UKVI video guidance: How to prove your immigration status with an eVisa.

If you are a British or Irish citizen and a national from another country or a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode in the UK, you do not need an eVisa. You can prove your right to live and work in the UK using a British citizen passport, or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in your foreign passport.

How can I update my UKVI account details?

Your details need to be up to date to prove your rights in the UK, international travel and for the Home Office to contact you about a decision on your application.

If you change your contact information such as phone number, email address, postal address, passport, etc, you need to log into your UKVI account to update this information.

Your eVisa is associated to the passport used at the point of application, if you change passport, you must update the passport details on your UKVI account. Keeping your travel document details up to date will ensure straight forward international travel. If you have dual nationality, you can include the details of both passports if your name is the same in both documents. 

How can I report an error on my eVisa?

If you notice an error on your eVisa, you need to Report an error with your eVisa online, we recommend you report errors as soon as you notice them to avoid issues further down the line.

How do I know if I have an eVisa?

If your permission is longer than 6 months, you will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

If you have submitted an immigration application in the UK using the UK Immigration ID check app or you hold permission under the EU Settlement scheme or BNO you already have access to your eVisa.  

If unsure whether you already have a UKVI account, you can attempt to sign in at Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK. If a UKVI account exists, entering their details during the sign in process will take them to their existing UKVI account.

eVisa troubleshooting and reporting technical issues

The Resolution Centre can assist users who are experiencing technical issues, and where necessary, enable a user’s status to be verified through alternative means. You can contact the Resolution Centre on 0300 790 6268, selecting option 3, or through the webchat tool which seems to be the most helpful option.

A number of charities and voluntary organisations across the UK are being funded to provide free help and information to vulnerable people who need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and access their eVisa.

I can’t access my UKVI account

You should login using the document used to when you registered the account even if it has expired, we recommend updating your login documents with current and valid documents in case you lose the expired one.

If you cannot access your account and think you are Login in correctly, you should use the “Recover your UKVI account tool”

I can’t see my eVisa

If you received confirmation that your eVisa has been linked to your UKVI account and you can’t see it after login into your account, the best way to resolve this is by contacting the Resolution Centre, see details above.

I can't link my Hong Kong / Macao passport to my eVisa

If you are a holder of a Hong Kong / Macao SAR passport, we have been made aware that some may experience issues when linking their passport to their eVisa and may have to post their passport to UKVI before the document can be added onto their UKVI account. The issue has been reported to UKVI, and we’ll update this page if anything changes.

The app is not reading my document to verify my identity

If you are unable to scan your document at the verification stage, after three failed attempts you will be given the option to skip this step and enter the details manually to complete the registration.

Travelling with an eVisa

If you have a BRP or physical permission, you should continue to carry these documents, In order to smooth the transition to eVisas, UKVI have decided to allow carriers to accept a BRP or EUSS BRC expiring on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel until at least 31 March 2025 and this date will be kept under review. Please continue carrying your expired document, as this will add to the range of checking options already available to carriers. Check out UKVI video How to Travel With Your eVisa.

Checklist before travelling

  1. Check that all your personal details and visa status are up to date. If you created your account using an old passport or BRP, you should link your current valid passport to your eVisa. Refer to UKVI guidance Check your eVisa is correct before you travel - GOV.UK
  2. Your travel booking details should be the same as your eVisa details.
  3. Check entry, exit and transit of other countries if you need to show your eVisa.

Checklist during travel

If you are travelling with the passport associated to your eVisa account, carriers should have access to your immigration status, but to be on the safe side, please carry:

  1. Physical immigration document, even if it has expired.
  2. Generate and print a share code to carry with you.
  3. Tell the airline to contact the Carrier Support Hub which is available 24/7.

If you are unable to demonstrate your permission to travel to your carrier, you can call the passenger support helpline on 0800 876 6921 at any time. Calls are free of charge. If you cannot call UK 0800 numbers, use +44 203 337 0927 which may incur in charges.

** Keeping your travel document details up to date will ensure straight forward international travel**

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