eVisa — activate your status
BRP card is gone. Your status is now digital — eVisa. Go to gov.uk → create UKVI account → link your passport. Free. Share Code for employer — in 2 minutes.
What is eVisa
eVisa is a digital proof of your immigration status in the UK. It replaces BRP card, visa sticker in passport and all paper documents.
| Before (until 2025) | Now (2025+) |
|---|---|
| BRP card (plastic) | eVisa (digital, on gov.uk) |
| Sticker in passport | eVisa |
| Show card to employer | Generate Share Code online |
| Card can be lost | eVisa linked to passport — cannot be lost |
| Card expires | eVisa updates automatically when status changes |
Who this affects: EVERYONE with immigration status in the UK — work visas, student visas, family visas, refugees, Settled/Pre-Settled Status, Seasonal Worker. If you had a BRP — it no longer works.
Who needs eVisa — by visa type
eVisa is needed for everyone living in the UK with permission. Specific list below — find your case and check you are registered in UKVI account.
| Status type | What to do | What you will see in eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, Health & Care, Tier 2 | Activate UKVI account, link passport. Home Office already sent notification in 2024. | Visa type, sponsor, expiry, conditions (right to work, employer restriction) |
| Student visa, Graduate Route | Activate UKVI account. "Hours of work" field — limit 20 hours/week during term. | Course, university, expiry, permission to work part-time |
| Family / Spouse / Partner | Activate. Expiry depends on stage (5-year route or 10-year), shown clearly. | Family visa type, expiry, right to work, path to ILR |
| EU Settled / Pre-Settled Status | UKVI account already created when you applied for EUSS. Just log in with same credentials. | Settled (permanent) or Pre-Settled (5 years) — end date if Pre-Settled |
| Refugee status / Humanitarian Protection | Home Office will transfer automatically. Activate account with UKVI letter. | Protection type, expiry (5 years, then ILR), right to work |
| Seasonal Worker visa (T5) | For visa duration (up to 6 months) — activate immediately when you get it. | Expiry up to 6 months, operator-sponsor, restriction "agriculture only" |
| ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) | Activate. eVisa is now your proof of ILR. | "Indefinite leave to remain" — no expiry date |
| Visit visa (tourist) | eVisa issued when you apply. Activate before travel. | Expiry (usually up to 6 months), no work allowed |
Dual citizenship? If you have a British passport — you do not need eVisa at all. UK citizens do not have immigration status. eVisa is only for non-citizens with permission to live in the UK.
How to activate eVisa — step by step
- Create UKVI account — go to gov.uk → "Create a UKVI account" or "View and prove your immigration status". You need an email.
- Link your passport — you need to prove your identity. Use the app "UK Immigration: ID Check" (iOS/Android) — scan the passport chip via NFC on your phone.
- Check your status — after linking you will see your immigration status: visa type, expiry date, conditions (can you work etc.).
- Done — eVisa is active. You can generate Share Code for employers, landlords, banks.
No NFC on phone? Some old phones do not support NFC. In that case — apply by post or contact UKVI Resolution Centre: 0300 790 6268 (Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat 9:30–16:30).
Family UKVI account — for several people
If you moved with spouse/partner or children — each person needs a separate UKVI account and a separate eVisa. One account = one person. But one adult can manage accounts for children under 18.
Children under 18
- Parent creates UKVI account for child using child's passport
- Use parent's email (one email can be linked to several child accounts)
- Linking passport — parent scans child's passport through the app on their phone
- Share Code for child is generated by parent — for school registration, GP, travel
- At age 18 — child takes over management (parent removes their email)
Spouse/partner
- Each person has their own UKVI account, their own eVisa
- Email must be personal (cannot share one account between two people)
- Each person generates their own Share Code from their own account
- If you have a family visa (dependant) — eVisa shows "dependant of [main applicant name]"
Do not share your UKVI account password. This violates Terms of Use. If your partner needs to see your status — generate a Share Code and send the code, not access.
Border control with eVisa
At UK entry points eVisa is checked automatically via passport chip. You do not need to carry any paper documents. But there are important details.
If you fly to the UK
- Airline check before boarding. Carrier (BA, Lufthansa, Turkish etc.) must check your right to enter. They look at passport + status. If carrier cannot access eVisa data directly — they will ask for Share Code in advance. Generate code 24 hours before flight and keep on phone (valid 90 days).
- In UK — e-gates if passport has chip. UK citizens + EU/EEA + some third countries (US, JP, AU, NZ, SG, KR, CA) can use automatic gates. Russians, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Ukrainians — for now go to officer queue.
- Officer — a couple of minutes. Scans passport, sees eVisa in system. May ask a couple of questions about purpose of trip. If eVisa is active — you are allowed in.
What to bring just in case
Although a physical document is not required by law, it is recommended to have:
- Screenshot of your eVisa in UKVI account (recent, not older than one month)
- Freshly generated Share Code
- Letter from Home Office about your status (if you received one when visa was issued)
- Old BRP — even expired, as backup if something goes wrong in the system
If eVisa does not show at border
In the first 2 years of transition to eVisa there can be system glitches. If officer sees "no record" for your passport:
- Show screenshot of eVisa from UKVI account on your phone
- Show Share Code and offer to check via gov.uk/view-right-to-work
- If that does not help — ask for senior officer. Do not leave control without confirmation of status
- As a last resort — call UKVI Resolution Centre 0300 790 6268 directly from the checkpoint
eVisa expiry and when to extend
eVisa is valid as long as your status is valid — it is not a separate document with its own expiry. When status expires — eVisa stops giving a positive Right to Work / Right to Rent answer.
Expiry for different types
- Skilled Worker — usually 3 or 5 years. ILR after 5 years working for sponsor (you can change jobs)
- Student — course duration + 4 months. Then Graduate Route 2 years (3 for PhD), no sponsor needed
- Family / Spouse — 30 months on 5-year route, 33 months on 10-year. ILR after 5 or 10 years
- Pre-Settled (EUSS) — 5 years from application date. You can apply for Settled Status 28 days before expiry, free
- Settled / ILR — no expiry. But if you left the UK for more than 2 years in a row — you can lose it (Returning Resident)
- Refugee status — 5 years from Home Office decision date, then apply for ILR
- Seasonal Worker — up to 6 months maximum. Cannot be extended. You can apply again next season
When to apply for extension
No later than 28 days before expiry — otherwise you risk losing continuous residence (ILR clock resets). Many visas require you to apply inside the UK before current one ends. Prepare documents 3 months before expiry.
Extension application — through the same UKVI account. After approval eVisa automatically updates with new expiry — no separate activation needed.
Problems and solutions
Cannot create UKVI account
Try a different email. If you applied for a visa before — try that email. If that does not help — UKVI Resolution Centre: 0300 790 6268.
Phone cannot scan passport (NFC)
Make sure NFC is on (Settings → NFC). Place passport against back of phone. Hold still for 5–10 seconds. Some phone cases block NFC — remove case. If phone does not support NFC — alternative via post.
Status is wrong in eVisa
If wrong status shows — contact UKVI Resolution Centre. Do not ignore — error can affect your right to work and rent.
Employer asks for physical document
Since 2025 Share Code = legal proof. Employer must accept it. If they refuse — refer to gov.uk Right to Work guidance. If they insist — contact ACAS (0300 123 1100).
Changed passport — what about eVisa?
You need to link new passport to UKVI account. Go to gov.uk → "Update your UKVI account details" → link new passport. Old eVisa automatically transfers.
Frequently asked questions
My BRP expired — what to do?
All BRP expired on 31 December 2024. You need to create UKVI account and activate eVisa. Your status has not changed — only the format became digital.
Is eVisa free?
Yes. Creating UKVI account, activating eVisa, generating Share Code — all free.
Can I travel with eVisa?
Yes. When entering the UK border officers check your passport — eVisa is linked to it automatically. Physical document not needed. It is recommended to have a screenshot of eVisa on your phone just in case.
What if there is no internet?
Take a screenshot of your eVisa status and keep it on your phone. But for official checks (work, rent) you need Share Code — generated only online.
How many Share Codes can I generate?
Unlimited and free. Each code is valid for 90 days. You can generate a new one for each employer/landlord/bank. Old ones are automatically revoked if you issue a new one for the same check type.
Child has no email — what to do?
Use parent's email. One email can be linked to several child UKVI accounts. At age 18 child creates their own — parent removes old one, child adds their email.
What to show landlord if they ask for "proof of address"?
eVisa and Share Code do not confirm address — they are status documents. Address is confirmed separately: bank statement, utility bill, council letter. For Right to Rent — landlord checks your status via Share Code, for address — separate document.
Can I refuse eVisa and get BRP back?
No. BRP were abolished by law on 31 December 2024. All statuses moved to digital format. There is no alternative — except giving up UK status (which means losing right to live in the UK).