Last Updated 4 March 2025
First Published 9 August 2024
Following the introduction of electronic visas in the UK to replace physical documents to prove UK immigration status, we have answered some key questions below:
What is a UKVI account and eVisa?
- An eVisa is an electronic document proving your immigration status.
- A UKVI account is a secure platform for users to access their eVisa and the view and prove services.
- You need to create a UKVI account to access an eVisa.
- Getting an eVisa doesn’t change your immigration status, it is just a new way to prove your immigration status.
What is the view and prove service?
- This allows you to share relevant information about your status with third parties, such as employers and landlords.
- You can do this here: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.
Do I need an eVisa?
- If were granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will already have access to an eVisa and do not need to do anything further.
- If you have any other form of status in the UK (other than if you are British or Irish), you will need to create a UKVI account to access an eVisa. If you have not yet done so, we strongly urge you to do so as a matter of urgency.
How do I get an eVisa?
- You can create your UKVI account through this link https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa. You must complete all the sections and ensure that you have confirmed the Declaration – this will ensure that you have undertaken all steps to create the UKVI account.
- The link is accessible for all individuals, and you no longer need to wait for an invitation to create an account. Once you have set up your account, you will be notified once your eVisa is ready to view and use. You should receive 2 emails from the Home Office after you have created your UKVI account – one advising that you have created it and the second advising that your eVisa is available for viewing.
- Since 31 October 2024, the Home Office have stopped issuing BRPs. If you have been granted leave to remain since then, or are granted leave to remain in the future, the Home Office should provide instructions on how to access your eVisa along with your grant letter.
Do children need UKVI accounts and eVisas?
- Yes. All individuals need UKVI accounts and eVisas, whether they have leave to remain/enter in their own right or are dependent on a family member’s leave, including children.
- A parent or guardian can create a UKVI account for their child(ren) and enter their own contact details.
My BRP has expired, can I still get an eVisa?
- If your BRP expired on 31 December 2024 and you still have ongoing permission to be in the UK, then you can use your expired BRP to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa, although we strongly suggest you use your passport. You should keep your expired BRP card even after you have got an eVisa, as you may need it when you make future immigration applications.
My BRP has been lost or stolen, can I still create an account?
- Yes, you can use your travel document (e.g. your passport) and your visa application reference number to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
- If you do not have an identity document but were granted permission to enter or stay in the UK before 31 October 2024, then you can create a UKVI account. You will be told what to do to prove your identity.
I have indefinite leave to remain (ILR), but I don’t have proof of my status/my status is recorded in a passport that is valid, lost, stolen or expired. What should I do?
- Before you can access your eVisa, you will need to make a ‘No Time Limit’ Application. This is an application for confirmation of your status. If your application is successful (i.e. the Home Office are satisfied that you have indefinite leave to remain), you will be required to create a UKVI account which will then enable you to access and demonstrate your ILR status.
- You can find information about the application here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travel-documents-no-time-limit/travel-documents-no-time-limit-accessible
- You can find the online application form here: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/biometric-residence-permit-replacement-service
My BRP expired on 31 December 2024. Did my leave to remain/enter also expire on this date?
- If your BRP expired, on 31 December 2024, you may still have a visa for the UK. You need to check the Home Office decision letter/email sent to you.
- You can find the expiry date of your leave to remain/enter on your Home Office issued decision letter/email.
What if my BRP expired before 31 December 2024?
- If your BRP expired before 31 December 2024, it is likely that your leave to remain or enter expired on that same date and you must take steps to either apply for further leave to remain or leave the UK.
- You do not need to create a UKVI account at this stage and will be able to do this if your further leave to remain application has been successful.
- However, you may create an account if you wish to, and your new grant of leave will be updated on your UVKI account once your application has been decided.
If I did not create a UKVI account and access an eVisa before 31 December 2024, did I lose my UK immigration status?
- No. Your leave to remain/enter is valid until the expiry date of your leave. You can find this date on your Home Office decision letter granting you leave to enter or remain.
- You should, however, create a UKVI account and access your eVisa without delay.
I have pre-settled status and my BRP expires in 2025. Do I need a UKVI account?
- Yes. There is a small group of individuals who have a BRP that expires in 2025, and they still need to create a UKVI account.
What do I need to do when I travel internationally?
- Before you travel, you should check that your eVisa has the correct details and that the passport you are using for travel is linked to your account. If there is an issue with your eVisa, you should take steps to resolve the issue by reporting an error here: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa
- If you cannot access your eVisa, you can get help to access your account here: https://update-your-details.homeoffice.gov.uk/account-recovery/help
- If you cannot access your eVisa account, but you have a valid physical document which shows you have permission to enter the UK (e.g. passport endorsements or vignettes), then you can still use that to travel for now.
- If you have a BRC or BRP which expired on or after 31 December 2024, and you still have permission to stay in the UK, you should continue to carry your BRC/ BRP with you when you travel until 1 June 2025. After 1 June 2025, you will need access to your eVisa when you travel. It is anticipated that you will no longer need to travel with your expired BRC/ BRP.
- If your BRC or BRP expired on or after 31 December 2024, you should still be able to travel to the UK with just your passport and expired document until 31 March 2025. After 31 March 2025, you will need an eVisa.
- Given this is still a new system, we would advise that you continue to carry your physical immigration document until the system is fully effected even if you have an eVisa. We also advise that you retain it in a safe place as you may require it for future visa applications.
- If you do not have any proof of your permission to enter the UK, you may need to apply for a temporary visa which lets you enter the UK once: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/country-selection
- You can find more information about international travel here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel
What can I do if I experience issues when I travel?
- If your carrier is unable to check your permission to travel, they should contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub.
- 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. You may have to pay – check with your phone provider.
I managed to create a UKVI account last year without receiving a direct invite, but could not view my eVisa. Do I need to re-register a UKVI account?
- No. You should now be able to log into your account and view your eVisa. If you cannot see this, please contact the Home Office via the eVisa help chat – https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa
I created a UKVI account but my eVisa has incorrect information on it. What do I do?
- Ensure your details are updated.
- You can sign into your UKVI account to update your details. You can find more information about updating your details here: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details
- If your eVisa is still showing incorrect information, you can report an error here: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa
- You can also contact the eVisa help chat – https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa
Once I have created a UKVI account and accessed an eVisa, do I need to do anything else?
- Yes.
- You will always need to make sure you update your eVisa if any of your details change, i.e. new passport details, change of name, change of contact information etc.
- You can do this here: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details
- You must update your photo/facial image every 10 years, up to the age of 70.
I have created a UKVI account and have my eVisa. Can I dispose of my BRP?
- The Home Office have advised that you should keep your expired BRP card even after you have managed to access your eVisa. You may need it when making future immigration applications and/ or when travelling internationally.
I have made an entry clearance application. Do I need to create a UKVI account before I travel to the UK?
- You do not have to, but may choose to. The Home Office will still be issuing 3 month travel vignettes to those who have been granted entry clearance to the UK, although they are to be phased out.
- You can create a UKVI account once you have arrived in the UK, if you do not do so before you travel to activate your visa.
I have been granted a visit visa. Do I need an eVisa?
- No. You will still be issued with a vignette sticker in your passport and do not need an eVisa. This may change in 2025, so please keep an eye out for updates.
Useful links
- See general information about eVisas here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa
- See information about travelling internationally here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel
- Create a UKVI account and access your eVisa here: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa
- Update your UKVI account here: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details
- Report an error with your eVisa here: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa
- Recover access to your account if you’ve lost access here: https://update-your-details.homeoffice.gov.uk/account-recovery/help
- Access the UKVI help chat here: https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa
For more info on our Immigration services, please visit the page here.
Please note that the above is not legal advice and is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be relied on as legal advice. It is correct as of 31 January 2025 and may be subject to change at any moment following the UK Visas and Immigration authorities updating the UK Immigration Rules, systems and/or processes.
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