Getting an online immigration status (eVisa)

You should check if you can get an online version of your immigration status - also called an ‘eVisa’. 

Online statuses are replacing most physical immigration documents, including:

• biometric residence permits (BRPs)

• biometric residence cards (BRCs)

• stamps in your passport

• vignette stickers in passports

Getting an online status is free and won’t change your permission to live in the UK.

If your biometric residence permit expires on 31 December 2024

Most biometric residence permits (BRPs) have an expiry date of 31 December 2024 - because online immigration statuses are replacing BRPs. This doesn’t mean your visa ends on this date.

The Home Office will ask you to get an online status before your BRP expires. 

If you’re not sure when your visa ends, you can:

• check the letter you got from the Home Office when they approved your application

• ask the Home Office for your immigration records - this is called ‘making a subject access request’

You can make a subject access request on GOV.UK.

Who needs to get an online immigration status

If you have a work, study or family visa you'll need to get an online status.

You don’t need an online status if:

• you’re a British or Irish citizen

• you’re visiting the UK for less than 6 months

• you have indefinite leave to remain and a stamp or sticker in your passport to prove it - but you can get an online status if you want to

If you’re not sure if you need an online status, talk to an adviser.

When you need to get an online immigration status

When you need to get an online status depends on your situation.

Don’t worry if you can’t get an online status yet - the Home Office will contact you when you can.

Creating an online account

You’ll need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to get an online immigration status. 

You can only create an account if the Home Office have asked you to - they’ll send you guidance on how to do this.

You’ll be able to use your UKVI account to:

• view and prove your online status

• check what rights you have in the UK

• update your personal details - like your contact information

If you need help creating an account

You can ask someone you trust to set themselves up as a ‘helper’ on your account, including:

• your friend or family member

• a legal representative - like a solicitor

• an adviser at your local Citizens Advice

Talk to an adviser if you need help creating an account.

Your helper will have their own login details and will be able to create and manage your account for you. You can remove your helper from your account at any time.

If you need help using a computer or mobile device

You can get help from the Home Office’s assisted digital service if you either:

• aren’t confident using a mobile device or computer

• don’t have access to a mobile device or computer

• don’t have internet access

The service is provided by We Are Digital.

They can help you over the phone. You might be able to visit someone or they might be able to visit you at home - this will depend on where you live. Find out more about how to get help from We Are Digital on GOV.UK.

We Are Digital

Tel: 0333 344 5675 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)

Text: 07537 416 944 - text the word VISA

Textphone (using Next Generation Text): 18001 0333 344 5675

Email: visa@we-are-digital.co.uk

Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 030 numbers.

If you don't have internet access

You can use the internet free of charge at:

• your local council - find your local council on GOV.UK

• your local library - find your local library on myscot.gov 

Proving your rights after you get an online immigration status

If you want to show someone your online status, you can get a share code on GOV.UK.

You can give your share code to someone who needs to check your status - like your employer.

This code is only valid for 30 days - if it isn’t used within the 30 days you’ll need to get a new one.

Proving your right to enter the UK

You still need to show your physical immigration documents when you travel - even if you have an online status.

Before the end of 2024, you’ll be able to use your online status to enter the UK. 

You can check the rules for entering the UK on GOV.UK.

Updating your online immigration status

Important

Make sure you keep your online status up to date

It's important to keep your online status up to date. If you don't, you might not be allowed to enter the UK.

You’ll need to update your online status if:

• you renew or replace the identity document you used to apply - for example, if your passport expires

• you change your name - for example, if you get married 

• you change your address, phone number or email address - your contact details need to be up to date so you can view or share your status

• you want to change your identity document or add another one

You can add or change your identity document using your UKVI account. You might be asked to send your passport or national identity card to the Home Office.

It will be a number of weeks before you can log in with your new identity document details - make sure you keep the details of your old one until then. 

When you add a new identity document to your online status, you’ll need to sign in using that identity document in the future.

Don’t worry if you can’t see your old identity document on your account. It’s still there, but the system might only show the most recent one you’ve added.

You can update your details in your UKVI account on GOV.UK.

If you don’t get confirmation after you've updated your online status, or you’ve been waiting longer than 4 weeks, contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre.

If you can't access your online immigration status

You might not be able to access your online status if you:

• can’t access the email address or phone number you used to set up the account 

• changed the passport or identity document you use in your account

Contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre and they will be able to recover your account and share your status for you.