North West Regional Migration Partnership Logo

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.

Contents

What is an eVisa

What action is needed?
People who have physical immigration documents need to create a UKVI account to access their 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 are proof of your immigration status and specify conditions such as your right to work and right to rent in the UK.

The Home Office has created a video titled What is an eVisa? – YouTube  Which will help you learn more about what an eVisa is and why it is needed. The video is only available in English.

Back to the table of contents

If you have a BRP

Expired BRP (biometric residence permit) cards should be replaced with eVisas: access and use your online immigration status: GOV.UK

Each child needs an eVisa and this must be done in separate applications. If they are not able to do this themselves, a parent, guardian or responsible adult can set this up for them using this guidance: Set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa – 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.

Back to the table of contents

To apply for an eVisa

If you have an expired BRP card, you should apply for an eVisa, this can be done in 3 steps

The Government have made a video explaining How to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa: video – GOV.UK

To apply for your eVisa you must have access to:

  • A smart phone, with the UK Immigration ID app downloaded.
  • Your BRP, or application number.
  • Your BRP or passport.

There are other videos from the government to help with your eVisa on

If you have any issues, difficulties, or errors with an eVisa, please see below support options.

Back to the table of contents

Getting support with your eVisa

Government funding for organisations that helped people set up a UKVI account and link their eVisa ended on 31 March 2026.

You can get free immigration help and advice from a regulated adviser. Find out more on the Immigration Advice Authority website.

You can contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help.

 

We Are Group can help people who:

  • 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 an error with an eVisa

If you notice any error with your eVisa, such as your name, photograph or an status details are incorrect, you can use an online service to report it and request for the error be corrected: Report an error with your eVisa – GOV.UK. 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. 

Back to the table of contents

eVisa Resources

Back to the table of contents

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)

Back to the table of contents

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 Checking a job applicant’s right to work – GOV.UK

There is also a video to explain how an employer can check someone’s right to work How to view and confirm an applicant’s right to work: video – GOV.UK

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.

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: eVisas: access and use your online immigration status: GOV.UK

Back to the table of contents

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 – 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.

There is a video that explains how to view and confirm someone’s right to rent How to view and confirm someone’s right to rent: video – GOV.UK

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.

Back to the table of contents