eVisas: everything you need to know

AuthorCaroline Sykes

The UK government is digitising the immigration system. Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) are no longer being issued. Anyone granted a visa will now receive instructions from UKVI confirming how to access or set up an eVisa account. Anyone with an existing visa or Indefinite Leave to Remain should apply for an eVisa before 31 December 2024.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a digital record of immigration status. Instead of using a physical document to prove your status, from January 2025 you will need access to your eVisa account to prove your immigration status to travel, work and rent in the UK.

For some time now, BRPs have been issued with an expiry date of 31st December 2024, even if a visa is valid beyond this date. This is because BRPs are being phased out and replaced with digital status.

Digital status has already been in place for several years in some immigration categories, for example the EU Settlement Scheme and student visa route.

Why is this happening?

The Home Office says that eVisas have been introduced to reduce the risk of fraud, the loss and abuse of physical documents, and strengthen border security. The eVisa scheme has been criticised for imposing a ‘cliff edge’ deadline for more than 4 million people, given the importance of being able to prove your immigration status to employers, landlords and when travelling.

How do I check when my visa expires?

You can check the Home Office email or letter granting your visa, this should contain a visa expiry date. You can also check your visa expiry date using the right to work check service – you will need your BRP number and date of birth.

Who needs to apply?

Everyone with a BRP, BRC or legacy immigration document will need to take some action.

If you have a BRP or BRC and do not already have an eVisa, you should apply online as soon as possible and before 31 December 2024.

Depending on your nationality, visa category and where you applied from, you may already have an eVisa account. For example, if you have a BRC because you were granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will likely already have an eVisa but your details may need updating. You may already have an eVisa account if you have a Skilled Worker visa, BNO visa or student visa – but not all nationalities will have one. A good indicator is whether you applied for your visa using the IDV app or if you attended a biometric appointment at a visa application centre.

You can check if you already have an eVisa by trying to log in to the View and Prove service. You should then make sure your details are up to date using the Update your UKVI account details service.

If you have a ‘legacy immigration document’ for example a stamp in your passport, vignette sticker or Immigration Status Document confirming your Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will need to first apply for a No Time Limit application before you can apply for the eVisa – more on this below.

How to apply

Everyone can apply using this link. You do not need to wait for the Home Office to contact you and it is free to apply.

You will be asked to first set up an eVisa account using your BRP or passport. Some people will apply using their passport and last visa application reference number. You will be given step-by-step instructions for what to do.

If you have a biometric passport, we recommend using your passport to set up your eVisa account.

Once you have set up your eVisa account, you will be directed to download an app to verify your identity and follow on-screen instructions. In brief, the process involves scanning the chip in your BRP or passport, taking a face scan and taking a selfie. You will then be directed back to your eVisa account to complete the application form, enter security questions and submit the application online.

You will receive an email notification when your eVisa is ready to view. It can take anything from 10 minutes to several weeks for your eVisa to be ready to view. You should log in to the View and Prove service and check your details are correct. You should then log into the update your UKVI account details service to check your details are correct.

Tips:

If you have a biometric passport, we recommend using this document to set up your eVisa account rather than your BRP
If you applied using your BRP, you will need to link your travel document to your eVisa account to be able to travel.
You will need a compatible phone with NFC technology to use the app (the same technology used to make contactless payments)
You should remove any case from your phone before using the app
Anecdotally, Android phones seem to better at scanning biometric chips than iPhones

What if I don’t apply by 31 December?

Your immigration status will not be affected and you will still be able to set up an eVisa using an expired BRP, but you may struggle to prove your status when travelling or to employers, landlords and the NHS.

The government has announced that they will extend the deadline until at least 31 March 2025 due to concerns that a cliff-edge deadline could create another Windrush-style scandal and technical issues with the eVisa system.

Nevertheless, we recommend applying as soon as possible to ensure you can prove your immigration status and minimise delays when travelling.

I already have an eVisa, do I need to do anything?

You should log in to the View and Prove service and update your UKVI account details service to check your details are correct, and add your current passport if this is not already linked.

You should keep your eVisa account updated with any changes to:

Name
Phone number
Email address
Address
Passport (this is necessary for travel)
Significant changes to appearance

I have an eVisa, what do I do with my BRP?

You should keep your BRP even after it expires, as this may be useful for travel or future immigration applications.

My BRP expires before 31 December 2024, what do I do?

This indicates that your permission to stay in the UK is expiring and you must make an application to extend, switch or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as normal before your permission expires.

I have lost my BRP, can I still apply?

If your BRP or BRC is lost or stolen, you can still apply using your passport but you will need to report the loss or theft to the Home Office as normal.

How will I travel after 31 December 2024?

It is essential that your passport or travel document is linked to your eVisa account as this will allow airlines and border officers to access your UK immigration status. If you also have a BRP, we recommend travelling with this too. The Home Office advises generating a share code before travelling (share codes are valid for 90 days). Until the system is more established, we suggest also travelling with a print-out or electronic copy of your eVisa account showing your immigration status so you can produce this if needed.

If you do not have an eVisa, you should apply as soon as possible. The government has confirmed that you will still be able to travel using an expired BRP, provided you have a valid visa, until 31 March 2025. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not delay applying, particularly as the processing time is not consistent for all applicants.

Before travelling you should:

Check your immigration status and personal details are displaying correctly
Get a share code
Check that the passport you will use for travel is linked to your account

Note that it is not currently possible to add a Home Office issued travel document to a UKVI account and anyone with a Home Office travel document should continue to carry their BRP. This may change in 2025.

I have a stamp in my passport confirming I have ILR, what do I need to do?

If you were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Enter a long time ago, you may have what is called a legacy immigration document. This includes paper Immigration Status Documents, wet ink stamps in passports or vignette stickers in passports.

You will need to first submit a No Time Limit (NTL) application before you can apply for the eVisa. The NTL application must be submitted from inside the UK and requires attending a biometric appointment. You can then apply for the eVisa once this is granted. The NTL application process has been simplified recently and it is free to apply, however applications can take up to six months to process.

Importantly, the Home Office has confirmed that legacy immigration documents will remain valid after 31 December 2024. You can continue to use them to travel and prove your immigration status in the UK after this date. Nevertheless, we recommend applying as soon as possible. The Home Office legacy document guide published November 2024 says this:

“Although a person will not lose their immigration status if they do not take action to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa, as the border and immigration system becomes digital by default, they are likely to find it increasingly challenging to easily prove their rights, and may face unnecessary delays when attempting to do so.”

Note that you will not receive a BRP, but this step is necessary to be able to apply for the eVisa.

Additional resources

The Home Office has published various eVisa guides and videos which you may find helpful. The eVisa guidance is regularly updated and you can sign up to receive updates.

Need help?

You can contact UKVI directly:

eVisa helpline: 0333 344 5675
eVisa webchat
Form to report an error with your eVisa

You need assistance applying for or accessing your eVisa
You have a legacy document and need assistance with an No Time Limit and eVisa application
You have applied for the eVisa more than three weeks ago but still do not have access to your account
Your eVisa has been granted but you are seeing error messages or your details are incorrect

How can we help?

Please send us your enquiry in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible

Law Society Immigration Law Advance
SQM Logo
Living Wage Employer Logo
Legal Aid Practitioners Group

“I will never forget your so much patience with me…you are always my amazing solicitor. The BEST one in the UK.”
"Hi Jo, I understand that for the moment our relationship stops but I'll be sure to bring you some amazing coffee once I travel back to Venezuela, hopefully before the end of the year.
I can't express in words how happy and satisfied I am with you and your straight forward help through this process. Thank you sincerely."
"As an international student in the UK, I was going through a very tough time when I lost my BRP and needed to travel to India for a family medical emergency. I called Turpin and Miller LLP on the advice of one of my professors. I simply filled in the contact form, explaining my circumstances and Mr. Philip Turpin called me the next day and provided comprehensive advice and guidance. His advice ultimately helped me get my BRP much sooner than the usual wait time, and I was able to travel. I am so grateful as they went out of their way to help me out of a very difficult situation."
"Katherine provided me a barrister which she represented me in the court, the barrister was so smart & brilliant I’ve never seen a young lady as smart as her, she left me in tears while she was talking at the court. Four days later I received the decision from the Judge, yes she accepted my case🎉. Katherine never left me she continued to chase the Home office for my ID , one day before my birthday had an appointment for my BRP five days later I received my ID . Turpin miller the best of everything. Katherine , Susmita and the barrister well done guys, I’m the happiest girl in the world at the moment. Katherine’s so positive, honest, smart ❤️"
"I would like to thank the expert Kriti Khadka for her assistance through the process of my spouse visa application. She was well organised, communicative and really patient with me. It was my pleasure to have such a lovable and a professional solicitor.I couldn’t have done it without her. Keep it up!"
"It was a privilege to use Laura's legal services. Her professional brilliance and compassion were most impressive. This law firm is in a league of its own and highly recommendable."
"Great service and professional peoples.
Absolutely brilliant service , I highly recommend the firm for immigration cases. I went to Turpin and miller for my ILR application and I am so glad that I met kriti Khadka for my case. Because of her my case is successful today. She is very professional and friendly person, Very understandable and easy to talk and she explain me every step so nice and clearly . Kriti I just wanna say thank you so much for your help and advice . I also give a big thanks to you Eliana Barrera for timely response of my all emails and help me out with my work documents. Kriti and eliana you both are amazing!!"
"Hi Jo I am delightful to hear that. I am so excited and overwhelmed. This has made our day
Huge thank you again for all your professional help and guidance throughout this process."
“Please allow me to express my deepest and happiest gratitude to you and your office for the, what, 21+ months (!!!) that you have championed [our] case! It’s a huge win for all of us, so congratulations to you all as well!”
"Turpin Miller were incredibly helpful from the start. They gave me a direct line to somebody who could assist when I needed assistance. I'm very grateful for Mike and Ellen's help in dealing with my legal matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending this company to anyone needing assistance."
"Very happy with the special service from Agim and his secretary.thanks for the great service."
“I also wanted to express my gratitude again for the excellent service you provided. I had my ceremony on Thursday and it was a surprisingly emotional event. Thank you and I will continue recommending you to anyone who thinks about embarking on the citizenship journey.”
"The wonderful solicitors Turpin Miller got everything together. Such was the quality of the evidence they collated that the FTJ asked me to pass on his thanks for an "exceptionally well put together bundle". We then had a total of 7 witnesses to call and again Turpin Miller organised everyone so that they were on hand to testify remotely when required."
"The entire process was very well organised. Outcome of all this diligence? Appeal allowed on the day after being told "I don't need to hear from you..." This is a good example of how being a great lawyer is rarely just about the advocacy; the preparation that solicitors do in the background as part of the legal team is often the most important part and is sometimes overlooked; particular thanks to Jo Renshaw, Zahra Govani & Ndo Bikishoni"
“Words cannot express how much we appreciate what you did . Thanks for saving us, I don’t know what would have happened to my boys. But now they can stay in the country of their birth and finish their education.”
"The Judge specifically wanted me to convey to you her thanks and appreciation for the preparation and presentation of the appellants written evidence and arguments." Testimonial from a Judge.
"The appellant has produced a comprehensive bundle of documents, and a very helpful cross references schedule. This has been enormously helpful to me. Credit is due to those representing the appellant for the care and forensic approach taken to collating and representing the information." Testimonial from a Judge.
"Lauren and I owe the deepest of gratitude to you and your team for your exemplary professionalism and care over the past six years.
Thank you for helping us keep calm and carry on through it all.
With kind regards from one of Britain's newest citizens."
Where do I begin to thank you for all that you have done for me ? Wow !
You have made sure and made it possible supporting me throughout the journey and the processes it took to arrive here ! Almighty God continues to bless you and your family for all that you have done for me all through the years . I really really thank you and truly appreciate you ! You have been so helpful and I am really grateful to you . Thank you so much ! It would have been impossible without you . Thank you for your kindness and I thank God for blessing you and keeping you !
"Hurray Jo Renshaw and the team. What will I do without you. You have been my angel on Earth and I appreciate you so much. It has been a Journey with my Family, but you made it worthwhile for me.
Thank you so much for a job well done.. I appreciate you so much and your team. Thank you, Grace, for always replying to my emails. You two are a gem and Turpin and Miller is Lucky to have professional staffs like you. . 🤗❤️. "
"Thank you so much for all your work. [client’s] case is not typical and so it has been very difficult to find professionals to take her seriously. The work you have done has been lead to an amazing outcome for this family."