eVisa

What is an eVisa, How to create a UKVI account, link your eVisa and create a share code.

Up to the 31^st December 2024, proof of immigration status was a physical document called a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). From the 1^st January 2025 BRPs have been replaced with an electronic visa (eVisa).

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.

You have to create a UK Visas and Immigration Service (UKVI) account to be able to access your eVisa and create share codes to prove your right to study, work and rent in the UK.

I Still Have A BRP Card

If you have a BRP card this can no longer be used to prove your right to study, work or rent in the UK.

You will need to create a UKVI account and link your visa to the account so that you can continue to access proof of your immigration status.

What Information Do I Need to Have Before Creating A UKVI Account

To be able to access (view) your eVisa, you will first need to create a UKVI account. This is free to create and can be done easily online.

Before you start you will need to make sure that you have:

Access to a Smartphone
A mobile phone number. This does not have to be a UK number but you must be able to receive messages from UKVI using your number as you will be sent authentication codes during the application process
An email address that you will use each time you wish to prove your immigration status
A valid passport
Your eVisa/visa application number (This will start with GWF or UAN). This will have been set up when you made your visa application. A copy will have been sent to you online and by letter with your visa decision.
Downloaded the ‘UK Immigration ID Check app’. This can be found in the google store if you have an android phone or the app store if you have an Iphone. The app has to be downloaded onto your smartphone. Further assistance is provided in the following link: Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app – GOV.UK

Creating A UKVI Account

Make sure that you have downloaded the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app which you will find in the google store if you have an android phone, or the app store if you have an Iphone. The app has to be downloaded onto your smartphone!

If you are unsure how to download the app please use the information in the following link: Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app – GOV.UK

Use the following link to create your UKVI account Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) – GOV.UK

You can also watch this video to help you create your UKVI account: How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa

Fill in the details section and click ‘Create Account’

The details you will be asked to provide are:

Your Date of birth
Your Email address
Your Mobile number
Your Identification document number (This is the document that you used to make your Visa application and would usually be your passport)
Your Visa application number

You will get a confirmation email confirming your UKVI account has been created. You will be asked to sign into your new UKVI account. If you are unable to sign into your UKVI account using the link in the confirmation email, you can sign in using the following link: Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) – GOV.UK

Once you have signed into your UKVI account you will be asked to confirm your identity by using the ‘UK Immigration – ID check’ app and following the instructions in the app.

If you have not already done so, you will need to download the app onto your mobile phone.

Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code given to you, or you can request a connection code to connect to the app.

You will be asked to take a picture of your passport, check your document’s information and take a picture of your face.

Once you have completed the tasks required to create your UKVI account, you can then move on to link your eVisa to your account.

Linking Your eVisa To Your Account

If you already have a UKVI account and/or you are not already signed into your UKVI account, you will need to sign in using the identity document and contact details you used to set up your account. You will also need access to your phone or email address as you will be sent a security code to sign in.

You can use the following link to sign into your UKVI account: Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) – GOV.UK

You will be asked to make sure that all of the sections on the task list shown on the screen have been completed.

Once all of the sections are completed, you will need to scroll down and confirm you have read the declaration by clicking ‘submit’ at the bottom of the page.

You will receive an email when your eVisa is ready to view and you can then create a share code. In some cases this is taking a few days.

If you are unable to finish confirming your Identity or linking your account, you will be sent an email so that you can start where you left off.

When you have completed your application and your account is created, your eVisa will be linked to the identity document you used to create your account.

Creating A Share Code for Study/Work/Rent

Use the following link to sign into your UKVI account and create an eVisa share code: View and prove your immigration status: get a share code – GOV.UK

Before you start, you will need the following information:

The details of the Identity document you used to create and sign into your UKVI account.
Your Date of Birth
Access to the mobile number or email address used to sign into your UKVI account (you will be sent a code for signing into your account)

Go to the link above and click ‘start now’

Complete the different sections in the application:

What identity document did you use when you created your account
What is your date of birth
How do you want to receive a security code (This is the code to allow you to continue the application)

Check your phone for the 6-digit security code and put this into the next page of the application.

The next screen will show your immigration status (eVisa) information including your photo. If the information is correct, scroll down to the bottom and click on ‘Get a Share code’

You will be asked why you need a share code. Click on the reason – Right to Work, Right to Rent, Study.

The next page will then show your eVisa information again ‘What the checker will see’. You need to make sure that all of the details on the page are correct.

You can then ‘Create a share code’

The next screen will give you your share code and what you need to do next to show an employer, landlord, university etc.

How Long Is A Share Code Valid For

All Share codes are valid for 90 days.

I Cannot Link My eVisa To My UKVI Account Or Create A Share Code

If you are having difficulty linking your eVisa to your UKVI account, or you are getting error messages when you attempt to create a link you will need to contact UKVI.

You can use the following link to set up a Webchat with UKVI: eVisa Webchat

There Is An Error On My eVisa

If there is an error on your eVisa such as course dates, expiration date or misspelling of a name, you will need to report this as soon as possible.

You will need to use the following link to report any error on your eVisa: Report an error with your eVisa – GOV.UK