This factsheet was updated 22 May 2025.
Overview
The Home Office is developing a border and immigration system that is more digital and streamlined. eVisas, a digital proof of immigration status, are a key part of this transformation and will enhance visa holder and new applicant’s experience and increase the immigration system’s security and efficiency.
We have been transitioning from physical immigration documents to eVisas for the past six years, they are tried and tested, with millions of people now successfully using eVisas. Since 1 November 2024, successful visa applicants who would previously have received a biometric residence permit (BRP) now receive an eVisa.
In March 2024 we began inviting BRP and legacy document holders to create UKVI accounts to access their eVisas. By the end of April 2025 over 4.3 million people had created an online (UKVI) account to access their eVisa, with the latest statistics published here on GOV.UK on 22 May 2025. Further statistics will be published in due course.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an electronic record of a person’s immigration status. It provides people with the ability to view and prove their immigration status online. eVisas are accessed via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, which visa holders create as part of the process of transitioning to an eVisa. This can then be used to share information about their immigration status and conditions, such as their right to work or rent in the UK.
What are the benefits of eVisas?
eVisas bring significant benefits and increase the UK immigration system’s security and efficiency.
They also bring significant benefits to people who hold an immigration status in the UK:
- An eVisa cannot be lost, stolen or damaged.
- Visa holders can prove their rights instantly, accurately and securely to anyone who requests it while sharing only necessary information.
- With an eVisa, fewer people will need to leave their passport with the Home Office while awaiting a decision. eVisas also mean that applicants do not need to collect documents like BRPs, or wait for these documents to be sent to them.
- With a UKVI account, visa holders can easily keep the Home Office updated with any changes in their details or documentation. For example, telling us about changes to their name and nationality, travel document (such as passport), email, telephone and postal address contact details.
- People can access many UK government services and benefits without needing to present proof of immigration status. Select government departments and authorities including the Department for Work and Pensions and the NHS in England and Wales, can securely access immigration status information automatically through system-to-system checks.
Who needs to get an eVisa?
Millions of people have already made the transition to eVisas, and we have now phased out a significant proportion of physical immigration documents.
People who previously used a BRP are encouraged to create a UKVI account now at www.gov.uk/eVisa to access their eVisa, and to help family members and friends to access theirs, if they have not done so already. It is free, and straightforward for BRP holders to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. People should keep their expired BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK.
Anyone with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) who uses an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents as they do today, including for travel, but they are encouraged to make a free No Time Limit (NTL) application to access an eVisa. They can do this at any time.
Everyone must have their own UKVI account. Where a child under the age of 18 is unable to create and manage their own account, a parent or guardian should do this for them. More information about creating a UKVI account for a child is available on GOV.UK.
What do eVisas mean for international travel?
When travelling, most people’s immigration permission will be checked digitally through their passports and travel documents – either via automated systems or using the online View and Prove service.
eVisa holders should ensure their UKVI account is kept up to date with their latest passport or travel document. Full guidance on how to do this is available on GOV.UK. This will enable us to confirm to the carrier that the passenger has valid immigration status.
In addition, people may find it helpful to create a share code (which is valid for 90 days), in advance of travel, and carry it with them. This provides a secondary method of proving immigration status and may reduce the time to provide evidence of their status, if asked.
It is also important that people check the entry, exit and transit requirements of other countries, as they may be asked to show evidence of their UK immigration status to authorities there. Further information on checking an eVisa before travelling is available here: Check your eVisa is correct before you travel.
We have also put in place processes to support people and enable immigration status to be proved or checked through alternative mechanisms, should someone encounter any issues or have difficulty navigating a digital system.
If someone’s carrier - for example, airline, rail company or other transport provider - is unable to check their permission to travel to and from the UK through other mechanisms, the carrier may contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub for advice, 24/7. This service is for carriers only.
Will expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs be accepted by airlines and carriers if a passenger doesn’t have an eVisa yet?
To further facilitate the transition to eVisas, for a limited time the Home Office is allowing carriers - such as airlines – to accept a biometric residence permit (BRP) or EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card (EUSS BRC) which expired on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel.
This measure is intended to provide additional reassurance to travellers during the early phase of this transition.
Passengers whose immigration permission is still valid but whose BRP/EUSS BRC expired on or after 31 December 2024 are advised to continue to carry their expired BRP/EUSS BRC with them when they travel.
This arrangement is in place until 1 June 2025. From the 2 June 2025, expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs will no longer be acceptable for evidencing immigration status when travelling to the UK.
Border Force will continue to check all passengers through existing border processes to ensure they still have valid immigration permission, and this change does not impact on border security.
Why does the number of those who need to get an eVisa keep changing?
The number of people who have an expired BRP but have not yet accessed their eVisa changes over time, given daily fluctuations as people's immigration permission expires or is cancelled, or people leave the country before their immigration permission expires.
What support is available?
The Home Office’s Resolution Centre provides help and support to anyone seeking to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa and can assist users who are experiencing technical issues with their online immigration status, and where necessary, enable a person’s status to be verified through alternative means. Details of how to access this can be found here on GOV.UK.
If a person is at the port, travelling to the UK imminently and they are experiencing issues because the carrier is unable to check their immigration status, they should ask the carrier to contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub.
In September 2024, the Home Office announced up to £4m in new UK-wide grant funding for four national, and 68 community organisations to support vulnerable people who may need support transitioning to an eVisa. It builds on the huge success of EU Settlement Scheme grant funded network that helped over 500,000 vulnerable people. The organisations funded to provide free support to vulnerable and at-risk people who need help with creating their UKVI account and getting access to their eVisa are listed here on GOV.UK.
The Assisted Digital service is also available to provide individual support by phone and email to people who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account, for example if they do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device, have internet access or access to a device like a computer, laptop or smart phone. Support is available by text, email or phone, and offers phone support and face to face support where appropriate. More details can be found here on GOV.UK.
Asylum and Refugees
A range of measures and support are in place to ensure that people granted refugee status can access their eVisa.
We stopped issuing new biometric residence permits (BRPs) on 31 October 2024. We will create a UKVI account and eVisa for newly recognised refugees without a previous BRP or valid passport within 14 days of a positive decision on their asylum claim being served. This will be explained to them in their decision letter or email.
We will inform the person that their UKVI account has been created and provide the necessary information for them to sign in. This communication will also include details on how to get support for accessing or reporting any issues with their eVisa.
We have implemented a time limited pilot to extend the ‘move on period’ so newly recognised refugees have 56 days to move on from the point they are served their grant of permission, supporting local authorities as we clear the asylum backlog and transition to eVisas.
It is important that newly recognised refugees initiate plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision in order to maximise the time they have to make move on arrangements, regardless of when their UKVI account details or discontinuation letter are issued.
What about data security?
Immigration data is held securely, and government will never sell user data. Further information on how the Home Office handles data can be found here on GOV.UK.
How are Home Office informing people about eVisas?
The Home Office continues to deliver an extensive range of communications activity in support of eVisa transition, encouraging impacted physical immigration document holders to take action. This has included direct communications, regular updates to GOV.UK, and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement.
In October 2024, the Home Office launched a targeted advertising and engagement campaign across the UK to raise awareness of the transition to eVisas amongst those affected. The campaign informed people about the change and used a multichannel approach, including out of home advertising, print and social media alongside multicultural engagement activity through community organisations, embassies and stakeholder events.
Our eVisa outreach and engagement has also included organisations well placed to support communities with specific needs to take action to access their eVisa.
Can you still use a physical document if it expires, and you don’t get an eVisa?
As we transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas, we recommend people keep their expired BRP cards.
A number of provisions and flexibilities for using these expired cards are in place to facilitate the switch to eVisas. They can be used for up to 18 months after their expiry date (provided the person has valid immigration status), to:
- create a UKVI account;
- generate share codes for Right to Work and Right to Rent checks;
- make further applications for leave where applicants can re-use the biometric information stored within their cards rather than attend a visa application centre to resubmit their biometrics.
Holders of legacy paper documents, including passports containing ink stamps and visa vignette stickers, can continue to use their physical document to prove their immigration status as they do today. However, they are encouraged to take action in order to take advantage of the benefits and convenience that an eVisa offers, and to reduce any potential delays when proving their status.
Will eVisas create another Windrush situation?
eVisa transition won’t result in a second Windrush, as all those affected already have a current immigration status.
Many of the so-called Windrush Generation had an immigration status that was automatically conferred on them by an Act of Parliament, so in some cases they had no physical proof. In contrast, those who receive an eVisa have secure evidence of their status.
We are learning from the lessons of Windrush and that is why we are committed to ensuring that nobody is left behind as a result of our digital transformation. There are millions of people already using eVisa and we are determined to provide them the support they need to allow for a smooth transition.
Successful visa applicants receive written confirmation by email or letter that they have been granted permission, which they can keep for their personal records. While this document cannot be used as evidence of their status, these printed documents can be used when interacting with the Home Office, should any subsequent issues be encountered with their eVisa. We have also put in place a range of support and alternative mechanisms if people struggle to prove their rights using the digital system.
To ensure those with historic and paper-based evidence of their immigration status can take advantage of the benefits eVisas bring, we are continuing further focused communications activity aimed at this group and key stakeholders to get the information that they need in order to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa during 2025 and beyond. We will endeavour to reach vulnerable people who are less digitally confident through collaboration with other government departments and stakeholders.
We take the responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and protection of the data we hold on people very seriously and every person who has been affected by these issues matters to us.
Does this impact British citizens?
British passport holders and Irish citizens, including those who previously held an immigration status but have since acquired British citizenship, do not need to do anything. British citizens who do not have a British passport because they are dual nationals (excluding Irish passport holders) may need to take action in future regarding how they prove their right of abode. Updates on this will be provided in due course.