eVisas

You will need the following to create a UKVI account:

• your BRP number/visa application number (also known as a GWF or UAN number). You are permitted to use an expired BRP for up to 24 months after its expiry, or until 31 December 2026 (whichever comes first) in order to create a UKVI account.
• an identity document (passport/BRP)
• Email address and mobile phone number (this does not need to be a UK mobile number but you must be able to receive messages from the UKVI using this number such as two-factor authentication codes)
• Access to a smart phone (if you do not have a smart phone you can use a friend/family member’s)
• Access to the ID check app

You can watch the UKVI video for further details on how to create an account.

You do not need to take any further action other than keeping your UKVI account up to date with the details of your current passport/travel document. You should also keep your contact details up to date. If you already have an eVisa and an expired BRP, you also do not need to take any further action other than keeping your UKVI account up to date.

For the details on how to link your UKVI account to your eVisa, using your passport and the ID check app, please view the UKVI video for further guidance.

For the details on how to link your UKVI account to your eVisa using your passport but without the ID check app, please view the UKVI video for further guidance.

It appears that this option is only available if your passport does not contain a biometric chip, or if you do not have access (or cannot access a friend/family members') correct smart phone. 

For the details on how to link your UKVI account to your eVisa, using a BRP and the ID check app, please view the UKVI's create, link and access your eVisa with a BRP using the ID check app video for further details.  

For the details on how to link your UKVI account to your eVisa using your expired BRP but without the ID check app, please view the UKVI's create, link and access your eVisa with a BRP using web ID check: video for further details.

It appears that this option is available if your identity document does not contain a biometric chip, or if you do not have access (or cannot access a friend/family members') correct smart phone.

Follow the instructions provided in the gov.uk webpage for details of the personal details that may be updated, and for instructions on how to update the personal details in your account.

You can also watch the UKVI video for further guidance on how to update your details in your UKVI account.

If your facial image has changed significantly following surgery or for another reason, you will be required to update your facial image in your UKVI account.

If you are above the age of 16 (but below the age of 70), you will also be required to update your facial image once every 10 years in your UKVI account. This requirement is reduced to once every 5 years if you are below the age of 16.

For further guidance on how to update your facial image in your UKVI account, please view the UKVI video for further guidance.

It is important to keep your UKVI account up to date if you have a new identity document. View and follow the steps in the UKVI's How to update and add a new identity document to your UKVI account for further details on how to do this.

You may also wish to view the UKVI video for further guidance on how to do this.

The gov.uk webpage confirms that from 11 March 2026, if you have a travel document issued by the Home Office, this will automatically be linked to your UKVI account. From this date you will be able to view your travel document alongside your eVisa.

If you receive a new travel document, this will appear in your UKVI account once you get your decision. According to the gov.uk website, this will be within 2 working days.

It is unclear what the position is for those who have received a Home Office travel document prior to 11 March 2026. If we receive any further information on this, we will update this page accordingly.

If you are unable to see the details of your eVisa when signing into your UKVI account, you should report the error online using the online reporting tool. If you have any concerns around this, you may wish to speak to your Student sponsor institution.

You will need to obtain a share code in order to “view and prove” your status to others. Watch the UKVI’s view and prove video for further details on how to do this.

If you experience a technical issue linking your passport to your UKVI account following setting up your account with your BRP, contact the UKVI for assistance. You can either contact the Resolution Centre or use the UKVI webchat service. You should ask for your account to be archived in order for you to set up a new account with your passport details.

BRP production stopped following 31 October 2024. If you enrol your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre after this date, you will no longer be issued with a BRP. 

We understand that if you make your entry clearance application on or after 15 July 2025, you will no longer be issued with a 90-day vignette. You will be required to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa before travelling to the UK.

We also understand that Student dependants applying for permission on or after 30 October 2025, will no longer receive a 90-day vignette, and will receive an eVisa only.

The gov.uk webpage has confirmed that BRPs will no longer be produced after 31 October 2024. If you are a visa national and you make a Student application in the UK prior to 31 October 2024, you will continue to receive a “short-dated” BRP. You will need to create a UKVI account (if you haven’t already) in order to prove your immigration permission in the UK beyond the expiry date of your BRP. If you make a Student application after 31 October 2024, you will not receive a BRP and will need to create a UKVI account (if you haven’t done so already) in order to access your eVisa.

EEA nationals and other individuals who have been permitted to use the ID check app to apply for immigration permission, should already have a UKVI account and have access to their eVisa already.

For successful visit visa applications made on or after 25 February 2026, we understand that such applicants will no longer receive a vignette but an eVisa only.

You can also refer to our Visitor webpage for further details of the Visitor route.

We understand that if you fall into this category, you have the option to either continue to prove your immigration status using your physical document, or you can choose to obtain an eVisa. If you choose to obtain an eVisa, you will be required to make a "no time limit" (NTL) application first before transitioning to an eVisa. According to the gov.uk website, you will still be able to prove your rights using your existing physical documents while your NTL application is being considered.

From 6 August 2024 all existing BRP holders can create a UKVI account to access their eVisa at www.gov.uk/evisa. You do not need to wait for an invitation from the Home Office in order to create a UKVI account.  

If your BRP has been lost or stolen, you must report the loss or theft to the police, but you are no longer required to replace it. Failure to report the loss or theft to the police can result in a £1,000 fine and the risk of being made to leave the UK. See further details on the gov.uk information on If your expired BRP is lost or stolen.

In the gov.uk info, Create a UKVI account, it states that to access your UKVI account:

You’ll [...] need one of the following, if you have them:

• • a valid passport and your visa application number - this is a global web form (GWF) number or unique application number (UAN)
  • a valid passport and your BRP number
  • your expired BRP - you can use it for 24 months after the expiry date printed on your card or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first

Therefore, it appears you should be able to create a UKVI account using your lost/stolen BRP number, as long as you have a copy of that BRP, and your passport. Alternatively, instead of your BRP details, you can use your visa application reference number (your GWF or UAN number) and your passport.

You are permitted to travel with your current passport and eVisa. However, you must have updated your UKVI account with the details of your current passport, in order to avoid any problems and delays at the border.

View the main gov.uk eVisa webpage for further details.

If you are in possession of a passport and an eVisa, Guidance - Document checks and charges for carriers confirms, on page 9, that carriers can check your immigration status using the view and prove service. You will need to generate a share code in order for the carrier to check your immigration status and permit you to board.

View the UKVI video on How to travel with your eVisa for further details.

If you made a visa application outside the UK without using an acceptable identity document, we understand that you will be issued with a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV) as well as an eVisa. Your FAV when linked to your eVisa will enable you to travel to the UK.

From 2 June 2025, individuals are no longer permitted to travel with expired BRPs. In order to travel to the UK, you should take the necessary steps to set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa. You should also ensure that your current travel document is linked to your UKVI account.

If you are outside the UK and you are having difficulties setting up access to your eVisa or updating your UKVI account, it seems likely that you will need to apply for a temporary visa to enter the UK in order to be able to evidence to a carrier your right to travel to the UK. In order to access the form to make such an application, you should take the following steps:

• select your language
• confirm your visa type (temporary visa to enter the UK, or to transfer or replace your visa (vignette) in your passport or travel document
• select a country to provide your biometrics

The government fee for this application is £154, so ensure you have explored all options for accessing your eVisa or updating your UKVI account. This temporary visa will allow you to travel to, and enter the UK, only once. If you do use a temporary visa to enter the UK, you will need to continue to try to remedy your issues after you have entered the UK (perhaps through the Resolution Centre or the UKVI webchat service).

If the carrier has been unable to check your immigration status using the view and prove service, the main gov.uk eVisa webpage confirms that you can ask the carrier to contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub for assistance.

The 3million in conjunction with ILPA have also devised a specific online reporting tool for individuals having problems travelling with an eVisa. Although using the reporting tool is optional, reporting the experience that you may have faced whilst travelling to the UK with your eVisa can help build a picture as to the difficulties some individuals may be facing. The 3million and ILPA can then use the reported experiences to help advocate for policy changes, better support and practices. Please note that utilising this tool however will not serve as a direct report from you to the UK Home Office. 

If you notice an error with your eVisa, you should report this online.

The link as above takes you to an online form, where you can submit your details and note what the error relates to. The landing page for the online form explains the types of errors that may be reported:

Use this service to report an error if:

• • your eVisa details are wrong - for example it's showing the wrong date of birth or immigration status 
  • you can view your eVisa but you cannot use it to get a share code
  • you cannot view your eVisa because of a technical error when you're signed into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • the Home Office set up your UKVI account and you've never been able to sign in to it

You should let your institution know if you need to report an error with your eVisa, and you should let it know if you have used the online form to do so. 

If there is a mistake on your eVisa with your permission start date, or an error matching your details with your dependant, please discuss this with your institution. UKVI continues to offer institutions an eVisa correction process, through which your institution can raise errors on your behalf through an eVisa bulk reporting form. This temporary measure can only be used by your institution; it cannot be used by students. You may also wish to ask your institution to use this measure if you have any issues using the online reporting tool. This temporary measure was put in place by UKVI for institutions before the introduction of the online reporting tool for individuals. It was originally designed to correct not only the errors that can now be reported by individuals using the online reporting tool but also errors with a visa start date, or errors matching a student's details with a dependant. We are not sure for how much longer the temporary eVisa correction process will remain in place.

If you have issues using the online reporting tool, and/or if your institution is not able to help you via the temporary eVisa correction process, there remain two other options of which we are aware:

• You can contact the UKVI Resolution centre. The opening times depend on if you are calling from inside or outside the UK. If you are calling from outside the UK, the opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday (UK time) for 24 hours. If you are calling from inside the UK, the opening times are as follows: Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4.45 pm (UK time), and from 9am - 4.30 pm on Friday (UK time). Please note that the centre is closed on UK bank holidays.
• You can utilise the UKVI webchat service, which is a virtual agent which operates 24 hours a day. However, note that this service states it is for "if you have a question about creating your [UKVI' account and getting access to your online immigration status (eVisa)" and is not explicitly about errors.

If you want to help improve the system for future applicants, then several independent organisations are monitoring the roll-out of eVisas and are seeking feedback about people’s experiences. A reporting tool has been launched (devised by the 3million, in conjunction with ILPA and Open Rights Group) to allow you to report issues you have had with your eVisa or UKVI account. Using this tool will allow these groups to monitor issues with the new system, and it will inform their lobbying work with the UK Government. However, please note it will not serve as a report from you to the UK Home Office about your specific error or issue. You must still contact UKVI directly if you need to tell it about an error or issue with your eVisa or UKVI account.

You can access the Account Recovery Online service, contact the Resolution Centre, or recover your account using the View and Prove/Update My Details service.

You can also watch the UKVI video for further guidance on recovering your UKVI account.

The gov.uk Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) webpage advises that you should keep hold of your BRP (even after it expires) as this may help with future immigration applications. You may also wish to retain your BRP for your own personal records.

You can contact the UKVI’s Resolution Centre for assistance with accessing or recovering your account. They can also assist with updating your personal details if you are unable to do so yourself.

You can also contact the UKVI using their webchat service for help using your UKVI account, or accessing your eVisa.

Although a number of organisations used to help and support vulnerable users to set up a UKVI account, government funding to provide this service has unfortunately come to an end. Support therefore is no longer available from these organisations.