eVisa

BRPs are being replaced by eVisas. You must create an eVisa account (Gov.uk) as you will be required to have an online record of your immigration status (right to study and work in the UK).

Who needs an eVisa account

You need to create an eVisa account (Gov.uk) if you use physical immigration documents such as:

biometric residence permits (BRP) (Gov.uk)
biometric residence cards (BRC) (Gov.uk)
passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes

When to create your eVisa account and travelling

If you have a physical BRP card that expires on 31 December 2024, you must create an account (Gov.uk) before the expiry date so you can access your eVisa.

Travelling in and out of the UK

Please read the information below very carefully before you travel and ensure that you take any necessary action before you leave the UK to avoid delays when travelling.

You will need an eVisa to travel (Gov.uk) into the UK after 31 December 2024. Although the UKVI have confirmed that you may be able to use a BRP expiring on 31 December 2024 for travel to the UK up until 31 March 2025, we still strongly advise to set up your eVisa before you travel.

Prior to leaving the UK:

if you are planning to travel outside of the UK, you must create an eVisa account before you leave, if you have dependants they must all have their own eVisa accounts
check your personal details (e.g. name, nationality, date of birth or sex marker) are correct
check that your current passport that you will use for travelling is linked to your UKVI account
Update your account (Gov.uk) with personal details, if necessary, and your current passport (if your current passport is not already linked to your eVisa). If your account does not have the correct passport you may face delays when travelling. Please be aware that once you are outside the UK and if your personal details have changed and you did not update them prior to leaving the UK you will not be able to use this updating service to add your new passport once you are outside the UK
carry both passports with you when you travel if you do not receive confirmation from the UKVI that your account has been updated

Read Guidance - Check your eVisa is correct before you travel - How to check your eVisa details are correct before you travel in or out of the UK

Prior to returning to the UK:

airlines should be able to check your immigration status automatically with the UKVI
in case of any issues with the above, we recommend that you generate a share code prior to travel from the view and prove service to share with the carrier if necessary. Please see the section 'How to prove your immigration status' below for full details.
since the system is new, we suggest you continue to carry your BRP with you when you travel internationally even after it expires on 31 December

View How to Travel With Your eVisa (youtube) for further details.

If you are outside the UK and did not create an account before you left:

you should create one before travelling and check that you can access your eVisa
if you are unable to create an account and do not have physical proof of your permission to enter and stay in the UK (because your entry vignette or BRP has expired) you will need to apply for a BRP replacement visa to re-enter the UK. Please be aware that this is expensive and will take about 3 weeks to be issued. When you return to the UK you will need to create an account to access your eVisa.

Expired BRPs

After 31 December 2024, keep your expired BRP card as it may help with travel and future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records. If you apply for a new Student visa and have a BRP you may be required to return the BRP to the UKVI, your new visa decision email will contain details on how to do this if it is required.

How to create an eVisa account

Create your account (Gov.uk)

Your account may take a few days to be confirmed.

If you currently hold a visa

To create your account you will need your BRP. Retain your BRP after it has expired in December 2024, or at least keep a copy of the BRP number, as you may need it to sign in again after you have created the account.

If you have lost your BRP and do not know your BRP number you can use your passport to create the account, but you will also need your visa application number. This will be a Unique Application Number (UAN) if you applied in the UK or a Global Wed Form number (GWF) if you applied outside the UK. If you do not have your visa application number, you can request it during the UKVI account creation process. If you use your passport to create your account, you will need to use the passport details you most recently provided to the Home Office, this will be the passport you used in your last visa application if you have not updated the Home Office of a new passport since then. If you use a new passport that the Home Office are unaware of you can still set up the account, but you will then need to update your new passport details to your account on the UKVI website

If you have used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to apply for a visa you will already have a UKVI account. If you already have an account, please log into the account at Get access to your eVisa (Gov.uk) and check you can access your eVisa.

If you are applying for a new visa

If you apply for a new visa outside the UK:

you will receive a 90-day vignette which will allow you to travel into the UK
you will not receive a BRP
you will be invited to create an eVisa account when your visa is granted. If the link in your visa decision email does not work please go directly to the UKVI website to create your account (Gov.uk).
if you used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to apply for your visa, you will already have a UKVI account and will receive an eVisa. You will be able to view your eVisa in your account when your visa is granted

If you apply for a new visa inside the UK:

you will not receive a BRP
you will be invited to create an eVisa account when your visa is granted. If the link in your visa decision email does not work please go directly to the UKVI website to create your account (Gov.uk).
if you used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to apply for your visa, you will already have a UKVI account and will receive an eVisa. You will be able to view your eVisa in your account when your visa is granted

How to prove your immigration status

Once you have created an account for your eVisa, you will need to prove your right to study and work in the UK. You can do this by:

selecting the ‘view and prove’ service on the UKVI (Home Office) website
creating a share code (Gov.uk).

Once you generate a share code to prove your immigration status, it is valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times. If you are travelling we recommend that you generate your share code in advance to avoid issues with limited access to your device, internet, or signal.

You can also check your immigration status and its conditions using the same link.

Update your personal information

Use the UKVI (Home Office) website to update any personal information such as, if you have a new passport or change of address.

It is very important to update any changes prior to travelling.

Please be aware that if you are outside the UK and your personal details have changed (e.g. name, nationality, date of birth or sex marker) you will not be able to use this updating service to add your new passport if you have not already done so and this may mean delays when travelling back to the UK. Please contact us for advice if you are in this situation.

Problems creating your eVisa account

If you have any problems while creating an eVisa account, you should:

view UKVI (Home Office)’s videos:

contact UKVI (Home Office) by calling:
- +44 (0)300 790 6268 and select “option 3”
- +44 (0)203 875 4669 (if you cannot dial 0300 numbers)
  
  They are open:
  
  Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8.30 pm
  Saturday and Sunday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

visit the UKCISA Frequently Asked Questions webpage

eVisa errors

If you think there is an error on your eVisa, you must report an error with your eVisa (Gov.uk) online within 10 days of receiving your UKVI account details. You should be contacted by email within 10 days by the UKVI.

Travel advice

If you have a BRP this may be cancelled when you report an eVisa error. If you need to travel, we recommend reporting the eVisa error after travel if the error will not impact your travel. If you are unsure, email us for advice.

Student Visas