Starting 15 July 2025, the UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system. This means that there are no more physical visas for most applicants. If you’re planning to come to the UK to work, study, or join family, you’ll now receive an eVisa instead. To travel, you must create a UKVI account and access your eVisa online before departure. This marks a major shift in how immigration is managed and affects all visa applicants applying from outside the UK after this date.
In this post, we will look at what the eVisa is and how to apply for it.
What is the UK eVisa?
An eVisa is a record of your immigration status and the terms under which you have been granted permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. To access your eVisa, you must first create a UKVI account.
Your immigration status and the terms of your authorization to enter or remain in the UK are unaffected by the conversion of your paper document to an electronic visa.
Your current passport, which needs to be connected to your UKVI account, can be used in conjunction with an eVisa to enter the UK. Prior to your trip, you should also obtain a sharing code to verify your immigration status. It might be requested by your carrier. The validity of a share code is ninety days.
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Advantages of eVisas are:
- In contrast to tangible documents, they are safe and cannot be misplaced, stolen, or altered.
- After your application is reviewed, you won’t have to wait for or pick up a physical document; however, you might still be required to supply biometric data in person; we’ll let you know if this is required.
- Sharing your status with third parties, including employers and landlords, and proving it at the UK border will be quicker and simpler.
How do I access my UK eVisa?
To access your eVisa, you must take these three steps:
- Make an account on UKVI.
- Verify your identity.
- Connect your eVisa to your account.
To register a UKVI account and access your eVisa, there is no cost.
How do I use my UKVI account?
You can examine the specifics of your immigration status online, including your kind of authorization, when it expires, and your terms of stay in the UK, after completing the steps to register your UKVI account and access your eVisa.
Verify that the information in your UKVI account is correct and current.
If any of the information on your eVisa is incorrect, such as your name or immigration status, you should report the problem to UKVI.
Your UKVI account allows you to edit personal data, including contact information.
In your UKVI account, your eVisa will be connected to your passport. Your UKVI account must be updated with your passport or ID card information.
Long before your trip, you should confirm that your personal information is current. Carriers may refuse to let you board or delay you if your information is incorrect. You will still need to bring your valid passport.
By producing a share code via the view and prove service, you can provide third parties—like employers or landlords—with access to your immigration status information for a limited period of time. You don’t need to memorize a single code to demonstrate your status; you can obtain a fresh sharing code whenever you need one.
How to Create a UKVI Account for Children
Everybody needs a UKVI account of their own. A parent or guardian should create and administer an account for a child under the age of eighteen if they are unable to do it themselves. You can learn more about creating a UKVI account for a child.
Who needs an eVisa?
- If you have been granted permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months or you have indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement), you will need an eVisa to prove your identity and status in the UK.
- If you have been granted permission to stay in the UK for less than 6 months, you cannot create a UKVI account and access your eVisa yet.
- If you have an expired biometric residence permit (BRP), you can use it for up to 18 months after its expiry to create your UKVI account, access your eVisa and create a share code to prove your identity and status.If you are settled in the UK and do not have a document to prove your right to stay in the UK
- If you have a BRC and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa, and you do not need to take any action to obtain one.
- 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 to prove your status in the UK.
- If you are a British citizen and are also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or you are a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode in the UK, you do not need an eVisa.
- If you need to make a new application for permission to stay in the UK, you should follow the usual application process. There will be information and guidance provided during your application process if you need to create a UKVI account. If you’re applying for a visa overseas
Do you need help to apply?
To acquire access to an eVisa and create a UKVI account, you can ask for assistance.
You can receive assistance completing your online application if you lack access to a computer, laptop, or smartphone or if you do not have internet access.
You might be eligible for extra assistance in setting up a UKVI account and gaining access to your eVisa if you are a vulnerable individual.