An eVisa is the digital record that proves your UK immigration status. It is replacing physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), and visa vignettes, which are being phased out as the Home Office moves to a fully digital border.
Your eVisa is an online record linked to your passport or travel document. It shows the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK, and allows Border Force to check your status electronically when you travel.
Written by Mahfuz Ahmed, Immigration Supervisor
Who needs an eVisa?
You will need an eVisa if you hold, or are applying for, one of the following:
- A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
- Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A UK visa or immigration permission granted from outside the UK
Note: an eVisa is different from an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). An ETA is for eligible visa-exempt visitors who do not otherwise need a visa or immigration permission to travel to the UK. If you already hold or are applying for a visa, you need an eVisa, not an ETA.
From 25 February 2026, all new UK visit visas are being issued as eVisas only, and physical visa vignettes are being phased out. Existing BRP and BRC holders are being migrated to eVisas automatically, and will not receive a replacement physical card.
Creating your UKVI account
To access and share your eVisa, you need a UKVI account. If you do not already have one:
- Go to the GOV.UK eVisa page and follow the link to create a UKVI account.
- Register using the email address and password you want to use for your account.
- Link your current, valid passport or travel document to the account.
- Once linked, you can view your immigration status and generate a share code to prove your status to employers, landlords, or other third parties.
Setting up a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa is free. Your eVisa will be linked to your passport or travel documents, allowing border force to automatically verify your status. For more information, check out this link created by the Home Office.
Keep your details up to date
Your eVisa is linked to the passport you used when it was set up. If you get a new passport, you must update your UKVI account with the new details before you travel — carriers can refuse boarding, and Border Force can delay you at the border, if your passport cannot be matched to a valid eVisa.
As a reminder to all those with dependants: every family member with immigration status, including children, must have their own eVisa registered and linked to a valid passport.
Practical steps to avoid problems when travelling:
- Check your UKVI account and confirm your passport details are current before booking travel.
- Update your account as soon as you renew or replace your passport — do not leave this until close to your travel date.
- Keep a screenshot or PDF of your digital status as a backup, in case of connectivity issues at check-in or the border.
If you can’t access your UKVI account
If you’re locked out or can’t sign in, GOV.UK has an online recovery process. You’ll usually need your passport and other identifying information to regain access. If you continue to have problems, get in touch with us and we can advise on next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eVisa change my immigration status? No. An eVisa is evidence of the status you already hold — it does not itself grant or change your permission to be in the UK.
Do I need to do anything if I already have a BRP? Yes. Even though BRPs remain physical cards for now, you should still register for a UKVI account and check that your eVisa record is accurate, as BRPs are being phased out.
What happens if my eVisa details are wrong or out of date? You may face delays or be refused boarding by an airline or other carrier. Update your details via your UKVI account as soon as possible, and contact us if you’re unsure what needs changing.
Is there a fee for an eVisa? No, creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa is free. (This is separate from the ETA fee, which applies to certain visa-exempt visitors.)
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