UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is currently undergoing a digital transformation with the aim of developing a digital immigration system. This means replacing your physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.
Anyone with a biometric residence permit (BRP) expiring on 31 December 2024 can now create a UKVI account and access their eVisa, without needing an invitation from UKVI to do so. See the eVisa page for more information.
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. Instead of receiving a physical visa sticker in your passport or biometric residence permit (BRP), your visa status is stored digitally. This means that all your visa information is accessible online.
You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK, using the view and prove service. You can watch a video on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
Currently you can only create your UKVI account to access your eVisa if you have a BRP, BRC or Frontier Worker permit. You can use your travel document, such as a passport, or visa application reference number to create your UKVI account if you have lost your BRP card.
If you have submitted an immigration application in the UK using the UK Immigration ID check app or you hold permission under the EU Settlement scheme you already have access to your eVisa.
You will need to apply for a BRP before you can access an eVisa if you have indefinite leave to remain or enter as a vignette, wet-ink stamp on your passport, or were never issued an immigration permission in the UK.
There is no deadline for you to complete this process and UKVI has confirmed the expiration of your BRP card does not affect your immigration status, but you need to be able to prove your rights with your eVisa from 1 January 2025.
There is no cost associated to the creation of your UKVI account.
Your eVisa is associated to the passport used at the point of application, if you change passport, you must update the passport details on your UKVI account. Keeping your travel document details up to date will ensure straight forward international travel. If you have dual nationality, you can include the details of both passports if you name is the same in both documents.
Register for one of our upcoming information webinars, these sessions are hosted and organised by the International Student Advisers working within the Advice and Counselling Service. You must register with your Queen Mary email address. These sessions are aimed at anyone who wants to know if they will need to set up an eVisa or is just interested in knowing what is happening.
What's an eVisa and how do I get one? (29 November 10:00 – 11:00 BST)
What's an eVisa and how do I get one? (10 December 14:00 – 15:00 BST)
Information is correct at the time of creation, and it will be updated when further guidance is released by UKVI.