eVisa

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are introducing a new digital immigration system, it will be fully operational in 2025. Physical visa documents will gradually be de-commissioned. Your immigration status will only be available digitally online.

All BRP holders whose BRP’s expired on 31 December 2024 must create an online UKVI account to access their eVisa. You can then generate a share code for:

  • Study – Share Code must begin with an ‘S’
  • Rent – Share Code must begin with an ‘R’
  • Work – Share Code must begin with a ‘W’

You must use the View and Prove Service to generate a valid share code.

The UKVI account must be maintained by the visa holder. Any changes should be updated as soon as practicable. It is extremely important to ensure your UKVI account reflects details of your current travel document (TD) or passport (PPT).

EU/EEA nationals applying from overseas under the Student Route using the ID Check app will receive an eVisa only. They will not receive any physical document to prove their immigration status. In country applications for permission to stay in the UK will also generate an eVisa.

eVisa have replaced the following physical documents:

Creating a UKVI account to access eVisa will not affect your current visa status or conditions. You are not applying for a new visa. EVisa is the new method to prove you have valid immigration status in the United Kingdom and replaces the BRP card.

If you create a UKVI account that reflects your current student conditions and then you subsequently make a successful application for the graduate route, you will not be required to update your UKVI account. UKVI have stated this will be done automatically as the Graduate route already supports digital status information.

eVisa benefits include:

  • eVisa is secure, it cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with.
  • eVisa will not need to be collected, and you will not need to wait for it during the application process. You will still need to provide biometric information to UKVI.
  • eVisa will make it easier to prove your status at the UK border and share your status with third parties e.g. Schools/Colleges/ Universities, employers and landlords.

Travelling

If you update your TD/PPT using the Update My Details Service on gov.uk, you should wait until you receive confirmation of these amendments before travelling.

You must check that your eVisa is linked to your current travel document or passport before you travel outside the United Kingdom.

UKVI have advised that travel document information should be updated as far in advance as possible. This will enable all parties to be updated in a timely manner (carriers and UK Border Force etc).

UKVI have stated that when you travel using your eVisa, you will not receive a Border Force stamp on entry to the United Kingdom. Please retain your boarding pass and flight itinerary to evidence your entry to the United Kingdom. This will be required if you enrol with UCA.

UKVI eVisa Travel Helpline

On 31st December 2024 UKVI introduced the Passenger Support Helpline to assist passengers experiencing difficulties in demonstrating their travel permission to carriers and airlines.

If you are not able to prove your status when travelling, please contact UKVI on the numbers below. You may experience delays when trying to contact UKVI.

0800 876 6921 any time, calls are free of charge.

If you cannot call UK 0800 numbers, use the +44 number below.

+44 203 337 0927 but you may have to pay, check with your network provider.

UKVI have stated that these contact details must only be used if you have difficulty proving permission to travel and enter the United Kingdom.

Expired BRP Cards and Extended Validity for Travel

You should retain an expired BRP card for identification and travel. UKVI have stated that expired BRP cards will be valid for travel until 31st March 2025. You can still present your BRP to carriers until 31st of March 2025. This will only be until carriers are able to digitally interact with UKVI to obtain eVisa information.

Current UKVI guidance requires you to report the loss of your expired BRP to UKVI. You can receive a substantial fine if you do not.

You must update UCA with your eVisa information using the View and Prove Service.

If you already have a UKVI account and digital status/eVisa and shared this with the university, you do not need to do anything further.

Visa’s issued in 2025

UKVI have stated that for all successful new visa applicants in 2025, your UKVI account will be automatically created in line with your visa application. You will not be issued a physical BRP card.

If your UKVI is not automatically created by UKVI, you will still need to create and maintain one to prove your status in the United Kingdom.

For the latest information from the UKVI on eVisa please see their dedicated page on the gov.uk website.

Once you have created your UKVI account, you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa and generate a share code.

If you have another physical document

If you have indefinite leave to enter (ILE) or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) (also known as settlement) and you currently prove your rights through a different means, this might be a wet-ink endorsement or Vignette in your passport (current or expired), you should make an NTL application.

If your application is successful, you will need to set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

If you have a biometric residence card

If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you already have an eVisa and you do not need to any further application for eVisa.

You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.

If you have a BRC and you have not:

  • Been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
  • Obtained another form of immigration leave.
  • Become a British citizen.

Your BRC is NOT valid even if it still has a valid, future expiry date. This is because the United Kingdom has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.

To continue living in the UK you should obtain an appropriate immigration status as soon as possible. You may still be able to make a late application for EU settlement.

You may be able to apply as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen.

Do not travel internationally until you have obtained a proof of your immigration status.

If you are a British or Irish citizen with a passport, or you have the right of abode

If you are a British or Irish citizen, and you hold a British or Irish passport, you do not need an eVisa or a UKVI account and do not need to do anything. You should continue to use your passport as normal.

If you are a British citizen and are also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or you have the right of abode in the United Kingdom and you do not have a British passport, you may need to act in future. UKVI will update this at a later stage.

If you have the right of abode in the UK and you still have your BRP, check what you need to do with your BRP after being granted citizenship.

How do I create my UKVI account?

  • You will need your BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number.
  • The GWF and UAN number would be created automatically during original application process. A copy would have been sent by email or post.
  • If you do not have BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number visit gov.uk/eVisa for UKVI advice.
  • A family or friend can assist you to create an account.

Get started… you will need:

  • A smartphone or laptop or any device with internet access You can use a friend or family members device.
  • Your Identity document, BRP or Passport.
  • Your BRP number or original GWF or UAN application number.
  • Your date of birth.
  • Your email address.
  • Your mobile phone number.
  • Access to UK ID Check on google and apple store. The link will give instructions on how to use it, as well as where to download for Android and IOS devices.

Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

Step 1 – Create an account:

  • Go to Online immigration status (eVisa) and select ‘why do I need a UKVI account’ then click ‘create a UKVI account’ and finally ‘Start now’ and follow the steps below.
  • Fill in all details requested by UKVI and select create account.
  • Once created you will get confirmation by email that account has been created and you can sign in and view your eVisa.
  • If you have set up your UKVI account and cannot view your eVisa after a couple of days, you should contact the UKVI Resolution Centre for further assistance.

Step 2 – Confirm your identity:

  • Use the UK immigration ID check.
  • If using a PC, you will also need the app on smartphone to scan QR code.
  • Take a picture of your identity (BRP or Passport).
  • Check all information, make sure it’s correct.
  • Take a picture of yourself. This should be treated with the same importance as a passport image. This will be used to prove your status.

Step 3 – Link your account:

  • You must complete all the sections on the task list and submit.
  • UKVI will email when eVisa is ready. This may take a couple of days.
  • Use the View and prove service to share your status by generating a share code.

You must update UCA with your eVisa information using the View and Prove service.

View and prove your immigration status

Sign-in to the View and Prove service. You will need your details used to create your UKVI account.

You can use this service to view your eVisa and check what permissions you have on your current visa conditions. This will include if you can work and what benefits you are entitled to. Your eVisa will not currently show the sponsor licence number of the university.

This service is also for you to prove your status to employers, landlords or education providers. You would generate and provide the share code and your date of birth, to the third party which allows them to access to relevant information for a limited time.

UKVI will provide automatic access to certain government departments and public authorities allowing them to automatically access your online immigration status.

This currently includes the following departments:

  • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • Social Security Scotland
  • NHS England
  • NHS Wales and councils

You do not need to generate a share code to access these departments. They will confirm your identity and then access the information directly.

Updating your details

You must advise UKVI if any of your personal information or passport/travel documents change or need updating.

It’s important that you keep your UKVI account information current, so you can access your account, and avoid being delayed when travelling to the United Kingdom.

Update your details through the ‘update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ service or by using the ‘update details’ function in the View and Prove service.

You’ll need to update your details if there are changes to:

  • Your ID document, passport or travel document.
  • Your account sign in details (email address and phone number).
  • Your name or nationality.
  • Your home or postal address.
  • Once you have updated your online UKVI account details, you will use the new updated information to sign in and access your UKVI account.

Please click on the links below to view the UKVI eVisa help videos: