eVisa UK: Everything You Need to Know About Digital Immigration Status

What Is a UK eVisa?

A UK eVisa is a digital record of your immigration permission. Rather than having a physical sticker in your passport or a biometric residence permit (BRP) card, your immigration status is stored electronically in the Home Office system and accessible online through your UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account.

The eVisa is not a new type of visa — it’s a new way of recording and accessing your existing immigration permission. Whether you have a work visa, student visa, settled status, or any other form of leave to remain, the eVisa is simply the digital version of that permission.

Think of it like the difference between a paper bank statement and online banking. The underlying account is the same; you’re just accessing it differently.

Why Is the UK Moving to eVisas?

The UK government has been transitioning to a fully digital immigration system since 2024. The key reasons include:

Security

Digital records are harder to forge than physical documents. An eVisa is linked to your biometric data and can be verified in real-time against Home Office databases.

Convenience

You don’t need to carry a physical document or worry about losing it. Your status is always accessible online (and offline if you use tools like Apple Wallet through the Easy Share Code app).

Accuracy

Physical documents can become outdated if your status changes. Your eVisa always reflects your current immigration permission, updated in real-time.

Efficiency

Border officers and employers can verify your status instantly through digital systems rather than examining physical documents.

Who Has an eVisa?

As of 2025, the following groups have or are transitioning to eVisas:

Already on eVisas

• EU Settlement Scheme holders — settled and pre-settled status has always been digital
• Points-based system visa holders — work visas, student visas, and others applied for since 2024
• BRP holders transitioning — the Home Office is converting existing BRP holders to eVisas

Transitioning to eVisas

• Existing BRP holders — BRPs expired on 31 December 2024, and holders are being moved to eVisas
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) holders — those with physical vignettes or stamps are being transitioned
• British citizens abroad — some services are moving to digital verification

How to Access Your eVisa

Your eVisa is accessed through your UKVI account online:

Step 1: Create or Sign In to Your UKVI Account

Visit the UK government’s online immigration status page and sign in. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one using the identity document you used for your visa application.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

You’ll need to confirm your identity using one of these methods:

• UK Identity app (using your phone’s NFC to scan your document)
• Entering your document details manually
• Using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app (for EU Settlement Scheme holders)

Step 3: View Your Status

Once verified, you’ll see your immigration status, including:

• Your type of permission (e.g., “Indefinite leave to remain”)
• Any conditions on your stay (e.g., work restrictions)
• Your photo
• Expiry date (if applicable)

Step 4: Generate Share Codes

From your UKVI account, you can generate share codes to prove your status to employers, landlords, and others.

eVisa vs Physical Documents

Common Concerns About eVisas

“What if I can’t get online?”

This is the most common worry. If you’re at a border, in a landlord’s office, or at a job interview without internet, you can’t access gov.uk to prove your status.

Solution: Store your share code in Apple Wallet using the Easy Share Code app. It works completely offline and gives you instant access to your code.

“What if the Home Office system goes down?”

Government systems do occasionally have outages. During these periods, border officers have contingency procedures and can verify your status through alternative channels.

Having your share code stored offline provides an additional backup — officers can note your code and verify it once systems are restored.

“Is my data safe?”

Your eVisa data is stored in secure Home Office systems. When you generate a share code, the person checking it can only see the information relevant to their check (e.g., right to work confirmation) — not your full immigration history.

“What about my family?”

Each family member has their own eVisa and UKVI account. Children’s accounts can be linked to a parent’s account for easier management. The Easy Share Code app lets you store multiple family members’ codes in one place.

What Happened to BRPs?

Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) expired on 31 December 2024. If you had a BRP, here’s what you need to know:

• Your immigration permission hasn’t changed — only the physical card has expired
• You now prove your status digitally — through your eVisa and share codes
• You don’t need to apply for anything new — the transition is automatic
• Your rights remain the same — work, rent, travel permissions are unchanged

If you haven’t yet set up your UKVI account to access your eVisa, do so as soon as possible. You’ll need it to generate share codes for employers and landlords.

Tips for Managing Your eVisa

1. Set up your UKVI account now — don’t wait until you urgently need to prove your status
2. Keep your contact details updated — the Home Office communicates through your account
3. Store share codes offline — use Apple Wallet so you’re never caught without access
4. Track expiry dates — share codes expire (30 or 90 days), even though your eVisa doesn’t
5. Update after status changes — if you get a new visa or extension, check your eVisa reflects it
6. Keep your identity documents safe — you’ll need them to access your account

The Future of UK Immigration

The UK’s move to digital immigration is part of a broader global trend. Many countries are adopting electronic visa systems, and the UK aims to have a fully digital border by the end of the decade.

For visa holders, this means:

• Less paperwork and fewer physical documents to manage
• Faster verification at borders and by employers
• Real-time status updates without needing to apply for new documents
• Greater security against fraud and identity theft

The transition can feel daunting, especially if you’re used to having a physical card or sticker as proof of your rights. But with the right tools — like storing your share code in Apple Wallet for offline access — the digital system can actually be more convenient than physical documents ever were.

Next Steps

1. Access your eVisa: Sign in at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
2. Generate a share code: Get one ready for your next employer or landlord check
3. Store it offline: Download Easy Share Code UK and save your code to Apple Wallet
4. Set up reminders: Never be caught with an expired code again

Your immigration status is secure in the Home Office system. The eVisa simply gives you a modern, convenient way to access and prove it.