The UK has replaced physical immigration documents with eVisas. Your permission to be in the UK now lives online, in a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. It is simple once set up, but it needs a little care, especially around travel.
What an eVisa is
An eVisa is a digital record of your identity, your immigration status and its conditions, such as whether you can work or study. You get one after a successful application. Older biometric cards may still work in some situations, and a visa sticker in your passport stays valid until it expires.
Your UKVI account
- You need a UKVI account to see your eVisa. Creating it and using it is free.
- Your eVisa usually appears straight away once it is linked, but it can take up to 24 hours.
- Each family member has their own eVisa. Parents can manage their children’s.
Proving your status
When an employer, landlord or bank needs to check your status, you generate a share code in your account and give it to them with your date of birth. They check it online.
Travelling
Before you travel, make sure the passport you are using is the one linked to your UKVI account. If you renew your passport, update the details in your account before your next trip, or you may have problems at the border or when checking in.
Good habits
- Keep your email address and phone number up to date in the account.
- Check your eVisa details are correct as soon as you get it.
- Make sure every family member’s account is set up before your first trip out of the UK.
Source: GOV.UK: Online immigration status (eVisa).
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Business and private client firmsBrowse all solicitorsLast checked: 2 November 2026 against GOV.UK. General information. See our disclaimer.