eVisa
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On this page you will find information on what is an eVisa and how you can set-up access to your eVisa. This page will be updated as we get more information on eVisas. Please check GOV.UK website for up-to-date information on eVisas: Online immigration status (eVisa)
Page last updated: October 2024
Free eVisa information sessions
These sessions will take place on Zoom on the following dates:
- Thursday, 21 November: 10:00-12:00 (English, Arabic & Kurdish Sorani)
- Monday, 2 December: 14:00-16:00 (English & Ukrainian)
What is an eVisa?
eVisa is an online record of your permission to stay in the UK (leave to remain). It is not an application for permission to stay in the UK.
Until recently when you get leave to remain, the Home Office issued you a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as proof of your leave to remain. All physical BRP cards will expire on 31.12.24 because eVisas are replacing BRP cards. With an eVisa you will access your immigration status online. You can use an eVisa to prove you have permission to stay in the UK (leave to remain).
Updating your physical BRP card to an online eVisa doesn’t change your leave to remain. Make sure to check your current leave to remain expiry date and prepare for your application before it ends.
Keep note of these important dates with key changes:
- 6 August 2024 – everyone with a BRP card can start eVisa set-up process
- 26 September 2024 – Home Office stopped issuing replacement BRP if it is lost, stolen or damaged. You will not be able to set-up eVisa access without your BRP card unless you have a national passport
- 31 October 2024 – The Home Office stopped issuing new BRP cards
- 31 December 2024 – all BRP cards expire. You will be able to set-up eVisa after your BRP card expires. The Home Office has not yet published information on how to do this
The Home Office said they will soon publish information on how to set-up eVisa with an expired BRP. If you didn't get eVisa access by 31 December 2024 you will be able to create one after this date. But this could mean it will be harder for you to prove your immigration status.
Who can set-up eVisa?
If you have a BRP that expires on 31.12.24, you can now start to set-up access to an eVisa. You don’t need to wait for the Home Office to contact you. Getting an eVisa is free.
If the Home Office contacted you to set-up your eVisa access, follow their instructions.
The BRP replacement service has closed on 26/09/2024. This means if your BRP is lost or stolen, you can no longer apply for a replacement BRP. You must report a lost or stolen BRP to the Home Office. Currently without a BRP you can't start the eVisa set-up process unless you have a national passport. Home Office will soon advise on what to do with eVisa set-up if BRP is lost or stolen. Check out their updates in: Online immigration status (eVisa)
eVisa process for newly-granted refugees following a positive asylum decision
From 31 October no new BRP cards will be issued. If you are newly granted refugee, the Home Office will create a UKVI account and eVisa for you within 14 days of a positive decision. The Home Office said they will tell you that your UKVI account has been created and you will receive all the necessary information to access your eVisa.
Setting up eVisa access for children
Children will need their own UKVI account. A parent or guardian can set-up eVisa access for their child. They will need the child’s BRP card and date of birth. The parent or guardian can use their phone number and email address when creating the UKVI account. When the child is able to manage their account themselves, the parent or guardian can transfer the UKVI account to them.
How to set-up access to an eVisa?
You will need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa online. If the Home Office contacted you to create a UKVI account please follow their instructions.
You may complete the steps in one sitting, or you can complete the steps at different times. Make sure you have all the necessary information, documents and devices with you.
To set-up access to an eVisa, you will need:
- your date of birth
- your BRP card
- access to an email address
- access to a mobile phone number
- a smart phone with internet access. The phone must be:
- an iPhone 7 or newer model
- an android phone that can make contactless payments
- to scan your BRP card and take a photo of the BRP using the ‘‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app
- to be available to scan your face and take a photo of yourself using the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app
Steps to set-up an eVisa:
What to do with the BRP card after setting up eVisa?
You can continue to use your BRP to prove your immigration status until it expires. Keep your expired BRP card safe with you as a personal record. You may need your BRP for future applications to stay in the UK.
Can I use the refugee travel document to set-up eVisa access?
Currently it is not possible to use a Home Office issued travel document such as a refugee travel document to create a UKVI account. You will need to use your BRP to set-up eVisa access and apply for a Home Office issued travel document.
How to get a share code for an employer to prove right to work?
You need a share code to prove your right to work. A share code is a 9 character unique code made up of numbers and letters that verifies your right to work in the UK. You generate a share code first and give this to your employer who checks your right to work.
If you have an eVisa/ UKVI account, you need to get the share code from the online service: view and prove your immigration status: get a share code
If you have a BRP but not a UKVI / eVisa account, you need to get the share code using the online service: prove your right to work to an employer
Where to find help with eVisa set-up?
You may find it hard to set-up e-Visa access on your own. This could be due to your age, disability, mental health condition, homelessness, English language skills, or other vulnerabilities such as being a victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking. The Home Office has funded organisations across the UK to help you set-up your eVisa.
In Scotland, organisations that can help you set-up eVisa are:
- Citizens Advice Scotland: can provide a face-to-face appointment with an interpreter to help you with your eVisa. Use the online postcode tool to Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau and contact them to check if they can help you.
- Positive Action in Housing (PAIH)
- Citizens Rights Project
You can find their contact details from the list of organisations who can support you with eVisa.
eVisa issues
There are many concerns over the roll-out of a digital-only eVisa system.
Concerns about eVisa include difficulty downloading the ‘ID check’ app, difficulty using the app, lack of device, internet access and digital skills and incorrect information recorded on eVisa.
Things you can do:
- If you have difficulty downloading the app try another smart phone device. The ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app will not store your information on the app. It is just to confirm your identity. Once identity check is complete you can delete the app
- If your BRP was incorrectly scanned by the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app such as incorrect BRP number scanned, close the app and start the process again
- If you suspect that an email or text you received from the Home Office or your solicitor is not genuine, always check with someone you trust
- If you get an email or text to pay for an eVisa do remember that Home Office will not ask for payments for eVisa as eVisa is free
- If you are helping someone else with eVisas, check out Right to Remain's information on how to support someone with the transition to eVisas
- If any details on your eVisa are incorrect (like your name, date of birth, or leave to remain status), please use this link to report an error with your eVisa
- If you have problems viewing or proving your immigration status or right to work, you can call the Home Office Resolution Centre: 0300 790 6268
- If you’re having trouble accessing your rights and entitlements, such as opening a bank account or receiving benefits because agencies aren’t accepting your eVisa, please contact our helpline. We will try to advocate for you.
Useful information and links
- Find out information on eVisas: Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK and Online immigration status (eVisa): help videos
- Create a UKVI account Get access to your evisas (www.gov.uk) and Check if you can access your eVisa
- Find out guidance on using the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app
- Check out how to view and prove your immigration status
- Get help with the online application from We Are Group: Get help with your online Home Office application - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Need more help?
Call our free, confidential, helpline for an appointment with one of our experienced advisers. You can ask for an interpreter.
