eVisa — digital UK immigration status
Updated 23 May 2026
9-character share code, valid 90 days, you give it to employer / landlord / university through UKVI account on gov.uk. Replaces BRP from January 2025. Deadline to set up UKVI account for expired BRP — 30 June 2026.
BRP cards expired on 31 December 2024. Now your UK immigration status is digital. Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status, generate a share code — and give it to your employer, landlord or university. The code is valid for 90 days and you can reuse it with several checkers.
01 Guide sections
W/R/S decoder, 3 steps on gov.uk. Most common support question.
Self-service 10-15 min or phone (5-15 days). What to do if you lost email and phone.
46% of all Q1 2026 problems — most common category. Checklist before departure.
ACAS, EASS, Tribunal. What to do if landlord also refuses.
Set up through expired BRP. NTL for wet-ink ILR. Cliff-edge deadline.
02 What is eVisa
eVisa is a digital proof of your UK immigration status. It is linked to your passport through a UKVI account on gov.uk. It replaces the BRP card, visa sticker and all paper documents from January 2025.
| Before (until 2025) | Now (2025+) |
|---|---|
| BRP card (plastic) | eVisa (digital, on gov.uk) |
| Visa sticker in passport | eVisa linked to passport automatically |
| Show card to employer | Generate share code online — they check it |
| Card can be lost physically | eVisa cannot be lost — only loss of access to UKVI |
03 Who needs a share code
Need share code
- Skilled Worker / Student / Seasonal Worker — for Right to Work
- Family / Spouse / EUSS holders — for rent or Right to Rent in England
- Refugee (status granted after March 2026 — 30 months) — for work and housing
- ILR through UKVI account — share code as modern proof
- University / bank / council / DVLA — S-prefix share code
Share code not needed
- Asylum seekers — use physical ARC card, Employer Checking Service for Right to Work
- UK / Irish citizens — passport is enough
- Pre-2024 ILR with wet-ink stamp in passport — legally valid, but better to apply for NTL
- Visitor visa — employer/landlord should not ask for share code (it is a violation)
04 When eVisa is issued
eVisa is issued automatically when you get any UK immigration status. Different groups have different activation times:
- Skilled Worker / Student / Family — when visa is issued; you need to set up UKVI account yourself before arrival or in the first days
- EUSS holders (EU Settled / Pre-Settled) — UKVI account was created when you applied for EUSS; use the same credentials
- Refugees — UKVI account is created automatically within 14 days after Home Office decision. Use KX customer number. SLA is often broken (4+ weeks)
- ILR holders (BRP era) — eVisa exists; you need to set up UKVI account
05 History of BRP and move to eVisa
06 Important things to know about the system
Important things to know about the system
- Known system errors
Q1 2026: 81,461 confirmed errors from Apr-Oct 2025 (Parliament data). If your status shows incorrectly — you are not alone. Report through gov.uk/evisa/report-error-evisa.
- UKVI 0300 — not free
Standard rate (~10p/min from landline, up to 40p/min from mobile). PAYG alternative: 020 3875 4669. Free webchat: ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa.
- 30 June 2026 — cliff edge
After this date setting up UKVI through expired BRP is harder. Over 70 years old — exempt from sanctions. Do it now.
- Free state support ended
On 31 March 2026 government funding for help to vulnerable migrants stopped. Remaining: Migrant Help 0808 801 0503, Assisted Digital 03333 445 675.
07 Frequently asked questions
What is eVisa?
eVisa is a digital proof of your UK immigration status. It is linked to your passport through a UKVI account on gov.uk. It replaces the BRP card from January 2025.
Do I need eVisa?
If you have a UK immigration status (work visa, student visa, family visa, EUSS, Refugee, ILR) — yes. UK/Irish citizens and asylum seekers with ARC card — no.
How to get a share code?
Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status → log in to UKVI account → "Prove your status to someone" → choose purpose (Work / Rent / Other) → get 9-character code. Valid for 90 days. You can reuse it with several checkers.
Employer / landlord does not accept share code — what to do?
They are legally required to accept share code (SI 2024/82, from 13 February 2024). If they refuse — first contact ACAS 0300 123 1100 (free). Full guide →
What does the 30 June 2026 deadline mean?
Until 30 June 2026 you can set up UKVI account using your expired BRP card number. After that setup is harder — only through passport + GWF/UAN or video interview. Your status (legal right to be here) does not disappear. Details →