What is an eVisa and how do I get access to mine?

What an eVisa is

An eVisa is a digital record of who you are and your immigration status in the UK. It also shows your conditions, such as whether you can work or study. It has replaced physical documents like biometric residence permit (BRP) cards.

You sign in to an online account to see your status and share it.

Who has one

Anyone who successfully applies for a UK visa or permission to stay gets an eVisa. People with older documents, such as a BRP, should also move to an eVisa. British and Irish citizens do not need one.

Old visa stickers (vignettes) in a passport stay valid until they expire. Some people with a biometric residence card can still use it in certain cases.

How much it costs

Nothing. Setting up a UKVI account and getting your eVisa is free.

How to get access

1. Get ready. You need a phone number and email address you can use to sign in, and an identity document. This can be a valid passport with your visa application number (GWF or UAN) or BRP number, or an expired BRP.
2. Install the app. Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to confirm your identity. There are other ways if you do not have a smartphone, a valid passport or an expired BRP.
3. Create your UKVI account.
4. Link your eVisa to the account. You cannot see your eVisa until you do this.
5. Add your passport so you can travel.

An expired BRP can only be used to set up your account for 24 months after its expiry date, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.

Each family member needs their own account, including partners and children who joined you as dependants. If you help someone set up their account, you can use your own contact details at first and change them later.

Proving your status with a share code

Employers and landlords may need to check your right to work or rent. You give them a share code and your date of birth. You do not show them your eVisa itself.

• A share code lasts 90 days.
• You can use the same code more than once while it is valid.
• You can get a new code at any time.
• The service tells you which details the checker will see.

Travelling with an eVisa

Travel with the passport that is linked to your UKVI account. Your eVisa is checked when you check in to fly to the UK, and at the border, including eGates.

If you get a new passport, update your account before you travel:

• Biometric passport: you can update the number, expiry date, name and nationality yourself.
• Non-biometric passport: you can update the number and expiry date yourself. For other changes, contact UKVI.

If you have more than one nationality, add the passport you will travel with. You can add more than one. If you are asked for extra proof when travelling, you can get a share code for travel, which lasts 90 days.

If something is wrong

If your details are wrong, you can report an error in your eVisa. If you cannot sign in, you can recover your account. GOV.UK also offers webchat and support videos.

Related guides

• What is a UKVI account?
• How do I get a share code to prove my immigration status?
• What is a biometric residence permit (BRP) and can I still use it?
• How do I prove my right to work?
• How do you do a right to rent check?

Where this comes from

• Get access to your eVisa
• Set up a UKVI account
• View your eVisa and get a share code
• Travelling with your eVisa
• Biometric residence permits (BRPs)