Understanding the UK eVisa: What It Is, Who Needs One and How to Access Your Immigration Status Online

UK eVisa Guide: How to Access, Use and Protect Your Digital Immigration Status

If you have UK immigration permission, your proof of status may now be digital. This means that instead of relying mainly on a Biometric Residence Permit, passport stamp or vignette, you may need to use an online UK Visas and Immigration account to prove your right to live, work, rent, study or travel back to the United Kingdom.

This page explains, in plain English, what an eVisa is, who needs a UKVI account, how share codes work, what to check before travel, and what to do if your digital immigration record is wrong.

The most important point is simple: an eVisa does not give you a new immigration status. It is digital evidence of the immigration status you already hold.

Official Home Office eVisa Video

The Home Office has prepared a video explaining the UK eVisa system. You can watch it below before reading the practical guidance on this page.

What Is a UK eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of your identity and UK immigration status. It may show the type of permission you have, whether you have indefinite leave to remain, and the conditions attached to your stay in the UK.

Your eVisa may be used to show whether you can:

work in the UK;
rent accommodation in England;
study in the UK;
access relevant services or benefits where permitted;
travel to and from the UK using the passport linked to your UKVI account.

eVisas are replacing physical immigration documents, including many BRPs, biometric residence cards, passport vignettes and wet ink stamps.

You can read the official government guidance here: GOV.UK eVisa guidance.

Why eVisas Matter

For many people, the legal right to remain in the UK is not the only issue. The practical problem is proving that right quickly and reliably.

An eVisa may be needed when you start a job, rent a property, travel, deal with a university, prove your right to work, or show your immigration position to an official body. If your UKVI account is not set up correctly, or if your passport details are out of date, you may face avoidable delays.

This is especially important before international travel. If the passport details in your UKVI account do not match the passport you use to travel, a carrier may have difficulty confirming your permission and you may be delayed or refused boarding.

Who Needs a UKVI Account?

You usually need a UK Visas and Immigration account to access and use your eVisa.

You may already have a UKVI account if you:

used the UK Immigration: ID Check app when applying for a visa;
created an account during a previous immigration application;
applied under the EU Settlement Scheme;
previously replaced a physical immigration document with an eVisa.

If you already have a UKVI account, you should not create a second account unless the Home Office specifically directs you to do so. Duplicate accounts can create confusion and may make it harder to manage your immigration record.

Do Dependants Need Their Own eVisa Accounts?

Yes. If your partner or children hold UK immigration permission as dependants, they normally need their own UKVI accounts to access their own eVisas.

A parent, representative or responsible adult may help a child or vulnerable person manage their account. However, when a child becomes an adult, or when another person becomes able to manage their own account, the contact details should be updated so that the account belongs practically to the person whose immigration status it records.

Is It Free to Set Up a UKVI Account?

There is no Home Office fee to set up a UKVI account or access an eVisa.

This is important because some people confuse an eVisa account with a new visa application. Setting up access to an eVisa is not the same as applying for a new immigration route. In many cases, it is simply a way of accessing digital proof of an existing status.

What You May Need to Access Your eVisa

The exact documents depend on your circumstances, but you may need:

a valid passport;
a national identity card, where relevant;
a BRP number, including an expired BRP in some cases;
a biometric residence card number;
a UKVI customer number;
a visa application reference such as a GWF number or UAN;
access to the email address or mobile number linked to the UKVI account;
a smartphone to confirm identity, unless another route is available.

If you cannot use the app or do not have the required document, there may be another way to confirm your identity, but you should not leave this until the day you need to prove your status.

What If You Have Indefinite Leave to Remain?

People with indefinite leave to remain or indefinite leave to enter may also need to think about digital status.

If you have ILR or ILE shown only by an old passport stamp, vignette or other physical document with no expiry date, you may be able to obtain digital confirmation of your status by making a No Time Limit application.

Obtaining an eVisa does not change indefinite leave into limited leave. It should simply create a digital record of the settled status you already have.

However, old documents can create practical problems. They may be difficult for employers, landlords, carriers or public bodies to understand. In some cases, moving to digital proof can reduce future problems when proving your status.

BRP Expired: Does That Mean Your Visa Expired?

Not necessarily. Many BRPs expired because physical BRP cards were being replaced by eVisas. The expiry date printed on the card is not always the same as the expiry date of your actual immigration permission.

You should check your online immigration status through your UKVI account rather than relying only on the date printed on an old BRP card.

If your underlying immigration permission has expired, that is a different and serious issue. An eVisa cannot extend expired leave. It only records the immigration status held by the person.

How Share Codes Work

A share code is a code generated through the Home Office online system. You give it to a third party so they can check your immigration status online.

You may need a share code for:

a right to work check;
a right to rent check;
a university or college check;
travel or carrier checks;
other official status checks.

GOV.UK guidance states that a share code lasts for 90 days and can be used more than once before it expires. You can generate a new share code when you need one.

When someone uses your share code, they will also usually need your date of birth. They will see some personal information about you, so you should only provide a share code where there is a proper reason to prove your immigration status.

Travelling With an eVisa

Before travelling to or from the UK, you should check your UKVI account carefully.

In particular, check that:

your current passport or travel document is added to your UKVI account;
your name, date of birth and nationality are correct;
your eVisa shows the correct immigration status;
your passport details match the passenger information given to your airline or carrier;
you can access your UKVI account before you leave the UK.

You must travel with a valid passport or travel document that has been added to your UKVI account. If you have more than one nationality, make sure the passport you intend to use for travel is added to the account.

If you still have a valid physical immigration document, old ILR stamp, certificate of entitlement or Home Office travel document, it may be sensible to carry it as additional evidence, particularly while digital systems continue to settle in.

Common eVisa Problems

Common eVisa problems include:

being unable to sign in to a UKVI account;
losing access to the email address or phone number used for sign-in;
wrong name, date of birth or nationality on the digital record;
wrong immigration status showing online;
old passport details still linked to the account;
inability to generate a share code;
confusion between an eVisa and an Electronic Travel Authorisation;
employer, landlord or carrier misunderstanding the digital status system.

Many of these issues can be resolved, but they can become urgent if discovered immediately before travel, employment, a tenancy or a visa deadline.

eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorisation Are Not the Same

An eVisa is evidence of immigration permission or status. An Electronic Travel Authorisation is different. An ETA is for certain non-visa nationals who need permission to travel to the UK for short visits.

If you hold a visa, limited leave, settled status, pre-settled status, ILR or another form of UK immigration permission, your eVisa is concerned with proving that status. It is not the same thing as applying for an ETA.

When You Should Update Your UKVI Account

You should update your UKVI account if your personal details or travel document details change.

This may include changes to:

passport or travel document;
name;
nationality;
mobile phone number;
email address;
home address;
postal address;
photo, if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised.

You cannot use the UKVI account update service to change the substance of an immigration decision. For example, you cannot use it to extend your visa, change your visa category or correct a refused application. It is used to update account details and identity details.

What If Your eVisa Is Wrong?

If your eVisa shows the wrong details, you should report the error through the Home Office error reporting service.

You should report an error if:

your eVisa shows the wrong date of birth;
your name or nationality is wrong;
your immigration status is shown incorrectly;
you can view your eVisa but cannot generate a share code;
you cannot view your eVisa because of a technical error after signing into your UKVI account;
the Home Office created your UKVI account but you have never been able to access it.

Do not confuse reporting an eVisa error with updating your contact details. If your passport, address, phone number, email or photo has changed, the correct step is usually to update your UKVI account rather than report an error with the immigration status itself.

What Information May Be Needed to Report an Error?

You may need to provide:

your name;
date of birth;
nationality;
an email address or UK postal address;
passport number;
expired BRP number;
GWF number;
UAN;
UKVI customer number.

Where the error concerns your name, date of birth or nationality, you may need to give the details as they currently appear on the eVisa so that UKVI can identify the incorrect record.

How Long Does It Take to Fix an eVisa Error?

GOV.UK states that UKVI aims to fix most eVisa issues within 5 working days. More complex issues may take up to 15 working days, and UKVI may contact you if further information is needed or if the issue is likely to take longer.

You should not rely on these timescales as a guarantee, particularly where travel, employment or a deadline is involved. If your status record is wrong and the issue is urgent, you should act immediately and keep evidence of the steps you have taken.

What If You Cannot Access Your UKVI Account?

If you cannot sign in, the problem may be with your email address, mobile number, identity document or account recovery process.

You should try to recover account access as soon as possible. Waiting until you are at an airport, starting a job or signing a tenancy agreement can create unnecessary risk.

If you cannot view your eVisa, you should check whether your UKVI account has been fully set up and linked to your eVisa.

Practical Checklist Before You Travel

Before leaving the UK, check the following:

Can you sign in to your UKVI account?
Does your eVisa show the correct immigration status?
Is your current passport linked to the account?
Do your UKVI details exactly match your airline booking?
Can you generate a share code if asked?
Do you have access to the email and phone number linked to the account?
Have you kept copies of any relevant physical documents?

If there is any mismatch, fix it before travelling.

When Legal Advice May Be Useful

Many eVisa issues are administrative and can be handled directly through the Home Office online services. However, legal advice may be useful where the issue affects your legal position or creates serious practical risk.

This may include cases where:

your eVisa shows the wrong immigration status;
your ILR is old and evidenced only by historic documents;
you need a No Time Limit application;
your immigration history is complex;
you have overstaying or status-gap concerns;
you are facing problems with work, rent or travel because your status cannot be verified;
your eVisa problem is linked to a pending or refused immigration application.

A careful review can help identify whether the problem is simply technical, whether your UKVI account needs updating, whether an error must be reported, or whether a formal immigration application is needed.

Book UK Immigration Advice

If you are unsure what your eVisa shows, whether your ILR is properly recorded, or how to deal with an eVisa error, you can book a legal consultation here:

Book an immigration law consultation

We can review your documents, check the legal route, identify the safest practical next step and, where appropriate, prepare the necessary application or representation. We do not guarantee outcomes, processing times or Home Office decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About UK eVisas

What is a UK eVisa?

A UK eVisa is a digital record of your identity and immigration status. It can show the type of permission you hold, your immigration conditions and whether you can work, rent or study in the UK.

Does an eVisa replace my immigration status?

No. An eVisa is evidence of your immigration status. It does not, by itself, grant new permission, extend leave or change the legal conditions of your stay.

Do I need to pay for a UKVI account?

No. GOV.UK guidance states that you do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa.

How long does a share code last?

GOV.UK guidance states that a share code lasts for 90 days. You can use it more than once before it expires and generate a new one when needed.

Can I travel with an eVisa?

Yes, but you should travel with the passport or travel document that is added to your UKVI account. Your personal and passport details should match the information given to your airline or carrier.

What should I do if my eVisa is wrong?

If your eVisa shows the wrong immigration status, name, date of birth, nationality or other key details, you should report the error to UKVI using the correct Home Office service.

Is an eVisa the same as an ETA?

No. An eVisa is digital proof of immigration status. An Electronic Travel Authorisation is a separate travel permission for certain visitors who do not need a visa for short stays.

Do children need their own eVisa?

Children who hold UK immigration permission normally need their own UKVI account and eVisa record, although a parent or responsible adult may help manage the account where appropriate.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about UK eVisas, UKVI accounts and digital immigration status. It is not legal advice. The correct step depends on your immigration history, current status, documents and practical circumstances. Home Office policy and digital systems may change, so you should check current GOV.UK guidance or obtain legal advice before taking action.

Last legally reviewed: 18 June 2026 By: Adam Sierant