Online Immigration Status (eVisa)

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or remain in the UK. This online system has been introduced to improve the UK’s immigration processes by replacing traditional documents, such as Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs).

Your eVisa serves as proof of your immigration status, and allows institutions such as universities, employers, landlords, and airline carriers to verify your immigration status online for specific purposes, including confirming your Right to Study and Right to Work. 

This digital transition is mandatory. It does not affect your immigration permissions, and the setup is free of charge.

What is an eVisa?

Who can access an eVisa 

To use this service, you must have permission to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months. You cannot access an eVisa if any of the following apply: 

  • You hold a visa for less than 6 months (e.g. a Visit Visa)

  • You have a valid EU Settlement Scheme family permit

  • You have Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) 

  • You are exempt from immigration control (e.g., Diplomatic Visa or ‘Right to Adobe’ status)  

 

Creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa

To access your eVisa, you must create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and complete the online form. Once your account is set up, you can log in to view and prove your immigration status. 

To create your UKVI account, visit Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK on the Government website and click ‘Start Now’. You will need a phone number, email address and one of the following: 

  • A valid passport, and your visa application number or unique application number 

  • A valid passport and an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) 

For step-by-step guidance, watch the video below to see how to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa.

How to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa

 

 

Proving your online immigration status (eVisa) 

You can log into your UKVI account and generate a share code to prove your immigration status. You need to visit View and prove your immigration status: get a share code - GOV.UK and click ‘Start Now’. 

When generating a share code, select the appropriate purpose (‘Work’, ‘Rent’, or ‘Other’). If you are providing a share code to the University for your right to study check, select the option ‘Other’. Your share code will start with an ‘S’. 

The share code is valid for 90 days. After this period, you will need to generate a new share code. 

For guidance on proving your immigration status with an eVisa, watch the video below.

How to view and prove your online immigration status

 

How to travel with your online immigration status (eVisa) 

We recommend that you generate a new share code before travelling to make sure that you do not face any issues when re-entering the UK.  

Before your journey, it is also important to ensure all information in your UKVI account is accurate and up to date, including your name and current passport details. Failure to do so may result in travel disruptions and delays at the UK border.  

Update your UKVI account information online

Please note, the Home Office have announced that individuals holding a Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) or an EUSS Biometric Residence Card (BRC) that expired on or after 31 December 2024, and who continue to hold underlying immigration status, may continue to use their BRP/EUSS BRC for international travel until 01 June 2025 inclusive. This is a provision referred to as a ‘grace period’. 

For guidance on how to travel with an eVisa, watch the video below.

How to travel with your eVisa

Frequently Asked Questions 

There is an error on my eVisa. What should I do?

You should report an error to UKVI if your details are wrong on your eVisa.  

Use this service to tell UKVI if any of the following details are wrong on your eVisa:  

  • Name 

  • Photograph 

  • Visa restrictions - these say what you can and cannot do in the UK  

  • Immigration status  

  • Valid until date 

I already have my eVisa, what do I do now?

Once you can view your eVisa, you can use the View and Prove service to get a ‘share code’. This share code can be used to prove your Right to Work, Right to Rent and Right to Study.  

You will need to provide a share code to the International Student Team for your Right to Study check. Once you have a share code, please upload it to MyRTS.

You will also need to make sure that you are keeping your UKVI account up to date. This means that you must make sure that the details of your current passport/travel document, as well as your contact details are up to date in your account.  

My details have changed. What should I do?

You should update your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account via the government web page and sign into your UKVI account. You will need to update your details if you have changed your: 

  • Mobile phone number 

  • Email address 

  • Name 

  • Identity document, such as your passport or national identity card 

  • Home address 

  • postal address 

You cannot change your identity document or name if you are waiting for a decision on a visa application. 

Why do I need to keep my UKVI account updated?

It is very important that your details in your UKVI account are up to date. 

  • To ensure UKVI can contact you, for example if you are waiting for a decision or to have documents returned.

  • To ensure you can travel with your current identity document.

If you do not have the correct identity document in your UKVI account, you may be delayed at the border when entering the UK. 

What should I do with my BRP that expired on 31 December 2024?

The Home Office advises that you should still keep your BRP card after it has expired, because this may help you in the future if you need to make any further visa applications to remain in the UK. If you need to travel outside of the UK, you are still advised to keep your expired BRP with you.

I haven’t accessed my eVisa yet? Can I travel?

We encourage you to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa as soon as possible. Please see this video from UKVI for further information: 

The Home Office is committed to facilitating a seamless transition to eVisas. They have announced that individuals holding a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or an EUSS Biometric Residence Card (BRC) that expired on or after 31 December 2024, and who continue to hold underlying immigration status, may continue to use their BRP/EUSS BRC for international travel until 01 June 2025 inclusive. This is a provision referred to as a ‘grace period’.  

However, the International Student Team still encourage all students to access their eVisa as soon as possible.  

I need help because I still can’t access my eVisa. What should I do?

You will need to contact UKVI for help if you cannot view your eVisa because of a technical error when you’re signed into your UKVI account. 

You can use this online form to find UKVI contact details. 

What should I do if I am not on a Student Route visa?

You might already have a UKVI account if you have one of the following: 

  • Pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 

  • British National Overseas (BNO) visa if you’re from Hong Kong 

You can log in to your UKVI account to view and prove your immigration status. You will also be able to obtain a share code to prove your immigration status as required. 

You will need to provide your share code to the International Student Team for your Right to Study check. Once you have a share code, please upload it to MyRTS.

I have accessed my eVisa. Does this mean I have extended my visa?

Accessing your eVisa does not mean that you have extended your visa. If you previously held a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which expired on 31 December 2024 but your immigration permission ends after this date, your eVisa should be valid for the entirety of your course including any wrap-up period (time granted after your course has ended). 

If your visa is expiring soon and you need to extend your visa, you will need to make a further application to remain in the UK. 

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