eVisas
The UK Government is transitioning to a digital system, requiring individuals with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or passport endorsements or vignette stickers to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and apply for an eVisa.
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What is an eVisa
An eVisa is defined by the Home Office as an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
eVisas will serve as proof of your immigration status and specify conditions such as your right to work and right to rent in the UK.
For more information, the Home Office has created a video titled What is an eVisa? You can watch this video to learn more about how eVisas work and how to manage your status online. The video is only available in English.
If you are a BRP holder
Anyone who is a BRP holder must apply for their eVisa by 31st December 2024.
Children also need an eVisa, and if they are not able to do this themselves, a parent, guardian or responsible adult can set this up for them using this guidance: creating a UKVI account for a child (GOV.UK).
It is important to know that updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
It is recommended you keep your BRP card after you have activated your eVisa account, even if the card has expired.
To apply for an eVisa
You no longer need to be invited to apply for an eVisa. If you are a BRP holder it is important you apply for your eVisa before the 31st of December 2024.
To apply for your eVisa you must have access to:
- A smart phone, with the UK Immigration ID app downloaded.
- Your BRP, application number
- Your BRP or passport
UKVI have produced a number of videos on the Home Office youtube channel guiding you through how to apply for your eVisa.
If you have any issues or difficulties creating an eVisa, please see below support options.
Support for applying for your eVisa
The UK Government has funded national and local organisations across the North West to assist individuals in applying for their eVisa. For a full list of providers across the UK, you can visit the List of organisations (www.gov.uk)
For organisations working specifically in the North West you can download our list of organisations 2024 (Word, 54KB)
Organisation | Contact details | Eligibility | Location |
Migrant Help has supported thousands of individuals through a national network of services and is able to offer face-to-face and remote support to those transitioning to the new digital immigration system. Location: national
| Telephone: 07483 170 100 Email: [email protected]
|
| National
|
Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief We are supporting refugees from all backgrounds through their transition to the new eVisa system. This service will provide:
| Telephone: 0800 319 6092 Email: [email protected]
|
| All locations in UK
|
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) Our eVisa service provides tailored support to vulnerable refugees and ethnic minorities as they transition to digital immigration status. This includes assisting individuals in creating and managing their UKVI accounts, linking their eVisas, and offering ongoing support for account management and updates. We also help people with limited English proficiency to effectively use the platform.
| Telephone: 0208 572 0300 Email: [email protected] | Anyone interested in this service should complete this form (a caseworker can also complete it on their behalf). There are no specific eligibility requirements, as the service is open to any nationality and status in the UK needing to transition to an eVisa. We can offer eVisa support in-person through our offices in London, Birmingham and Liverpool. We can also provide eVisa guidance remotely. | National |
Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race & Equlity Centre We provide advice and practical support for those struggling with the eVisa process because of language or IT skills or other vulnerabilities. You can make an appointment for a one-to-one support session.
| Telephone: 01244 400730 Email: [email protected]
| No eligibility requirements. Can attend Tuesday drop in, or book appointment via email or phone. Ukrainian and Arabic translation also available. | Cheshire
|
Citizens Advice Liverpool offers appointments at its offices in Walton, Wavertree, and Garston for help with setting up an eVisa.
| Telephone: 0151 522 1400 Email: [email protected]
|
| Merseyside
|
We assist people with transitioning from a physical immigration document to an eVisa. At our drop-in sessions, we support with creating UKVI accounts needed for the transition to eVisas and linking eVisas to existing UKVI accounts. We help people fill in online forms and enter the required information. When entering a one-time passcode and uploading images, we ensure they are correct and the images meet the quality standards. We can help people with language barriers and low digital literacy skills at our drop-in sessions.
| Telephone:
Email: [email protected]
|
| Greater Manchester |
This service is available for people in Oldham who need to get an eVisa or need assistance with using the eVisa system and who have additional support needs such as mental health issues, neurodivergence, or difficulty accessing mainstream services. People can make an appointment or drop in to any of our sessions where they will receive one-to-one, face-to-face support from someone who understands their requirements.
| Telephone: 0161 669 5868 Email: [email protected]
| Individuals need to be residents of Oldham. You can either ring for support or complete the online eVisa Referral form.
| Greater Manchester (Oldham)
|
We provide support services for women asylum seekers and refugees. We have a campaign to ensure women have the information they need to understand what they need to do for their eVisa. For those that need direct support, we will offer group workshops as well as one-to-one support. We will then follow up with the women to see if they have been successful or if they need more support to complete the process.
| Telephone: 0151 305 1070 Email: [email protected]
|
| Merseyside, Cheshire
|
SHARe Knowsley is offering free workshops to support refugees living in Knowsley and nearby with their eVisa applications and managing their eVisa account. We can also give one-to-one, in-person support for those who need additional help applying for their eVisa and to manage and access their account.
| Telephone:
Email: [email protected]
|
| Merseyside
|
We provide support to our service users to help them overcome barriers – such as language or computing skills – that may hinder access to mainstream services. We offer support to vulnerable and at-risk individuals who need extra help creating their UKVI accounts and accessing their eVisas.
| Telephone: 0161 833 0377 Email: [email protected]
|
| Greater Manchester
|
Wirral Change’s charitable objectives are centred on empowering locally disadvantaged groups, ensuring equal access to opportunities, and supporting the integration of newly arrived communities. The organisation strives to be a voice for vulnerable individuals, groups, and communities, providing much-needed support and working towards shaping future service delivery to meet their cultural and diverse needs. Wirral Change delivers a range of vital services, including supporting people to create and access their digital eVisa account and helping them understand how to use it. They also offer support for non-English speakers. | Telephone: 0151 649 8177 Email: [email protected]
|
| Merseyside
|
We Are Group
UKVI also have a helpline though their customer service group WeAre. You can contact WeAre if:
- You do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
- Do not have access to the internet
- Do not have access to a device that accesses the internet
[email protected]
Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944
Telephone: 03333 445 675
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Reporting a problem with an eVisa
People who notice any error with their eVisa, such as with their name, photograph or an incorrect status, can use a new online service to report it and request the error be corrected: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa. People without ID who have an account created by the Home Office can also use this service to update their email address and mobile number.
eVisa Resources
- You can watch a video produced by UKVI on how to create your UKVI account and access your eVisa . UKVI has also provided a Online immigration status (eVisa): help videos – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Lancashire County Council has a dedicated eVisa page on their website, with translated guidance available in Arabic, Dari, Pashtu, and Ukrainian.
- Free Movement offers a detailed step-by-step guide on applying for an eVisa (freemovement.org.uk).
- Right to Remain has provided a summary of the transition to eVisas
- Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) has published a briefing on eVisas and the expiry of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) (gmiau.org).
- RSMP has produced a number of awareness posters.
If you are supporting someone with an eVisa
It is important to note that supporting someone with setting up an eVisa account is not considered immigration advice and it is free to create an account. Anyone can support with setting up an eVisa account.
Right to Remain have produced guidance on how to support someone with the transition to eVisa (righttoremain.org)
If you're an employer
Employers should continue to instruct new and prospective employees who need to verify their immigration status to use the online right to work service to generate a share code. This share code can then be used to verify their right to work through the service at https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work.
For current employees, employers are protected from civil penalties as long as the initial right to work check followed the guidance in place at the time. A follow-up check is only required if an employee’s permission to stay is set to expire, as indicated by the original check.
While most Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) are due to expire on 31 December 2024, there is no need to recheck an employee’s status solely because their BRP or BRC is expiring. This is because the expiration applies to the document itself, not the individual’s immigration status or permission.
The Home Office recommends that employers inform their staff about these changes and the shift to a fully digital system. This could involve directing employees who rely on physical immigration documents to the relevant section of the Gov.UK website for up-to-date information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa.
If you’re a landlord or housing provider
Individuals with an eVisa can only prove their right to rent with the Home Office online service: Prove your right to rent in England: Overview (www.gov.uk) Once they have done so, a 9 digit share code will be produced and this should be shared with the landlord/provider. This alongside other details, such a date of birth should enable a landlord to prove someone’s right to rent.
Share codes have specific numbers at the start to prove their intended purpose, for landlords, the share code should start with a R to stand for renting. Landlords are unable to accept any other type of share code.