UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. If you have physical visa documents, they’ll be replaced by an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your visa. This is called an electronic visa (eVisa).
This change to eVisas will affect most people in the UK who are subject to immigration control, whatever your visa type or permission. If you have indefinite leave to remain, this includes you.
You’ll need to take action before 31 December 2024 to get your eVisa. We encourage you to get your eVisa before you enrol at UAL in autumn 2024. Explore more below.
This page was last updated 19 August 2024. It will be updated if more information is made available by UKVI.
What is an eVisa and who will get an eVisa
An eVisa is an online record of your visa or immigration status. Moving from a physical visa document to an eVisa:
- will not change the details of your visa, such as the start or end date
- will not affect the conditions of your current immigration status in the UK.
The following physical visa or immigration documents expire on 31 December 2024 and are being replaced. If you have one of these you'll need to get an eVisa before your existing document expires:
- Biometric residence permits (BRP)
- Biometric residence cards (BRC)
- Passport endorsements, such as 'indefinite leave to enter' ink stamps
- Vignette stickers in passports
- Entry clearance of visa vignettes. However, we understand UKVI will continue to issue these vignettes until the end of March 2025.
We encourage you to get your eVisa before you enrol at UAL in autumn 2024.
Carry your physical visa documents until 31 December 2024
In 2025 you’ll be able to use your passport (or travel document) and eVisa to travel into the UK. Until the end of 2024 you must continue to carry your physical visa documents when travelling, even if you have an eVisa.
How to get an eVisa
To get an eVisa, you’ll need to register for an online account with UKVI.
If your biometric residence permit (BRP) expires on 31 December 2024 you can now create a UKVI account.
Once you have a UKVI account, you can use the ‘view and prove’ service to evidence your eVisa or digital immigration status.
How to get a share code to prove your immigration status
Once you have a UKVI account, use the view and prove your immigration status tool to get a PDF of your share code.
Follow the steps below. You’ll need the identity document you used to set up your UKVI account:
- Go to www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Scroll down to ‘View or prove your immigration status’ and select ‘Start now’
- Select the identity document you used when you set up your UKVI account.
- Enter your document reference number.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Select how you would like to receive a security code.
- Once received, enter the security code so that you can log in.
- The page will show your immigration status.
- Select ‘Prove your Status’, just below your details.
- Choose 'Something Else' and select 'Preview what the checker will see'.
- Select ‘Continue’ to generate a share code. It will be a combination of letters and numbers.
- Follow the GOV.UK instructions to get a PDF of your share code.
If you already have an eVisa
You may already have an eVisa. This depends on when and where you applied, and what type of visa or immigration status you have.
If you provided a PDF with your share code to UAL when you enrolled previously, then you don't need to take action.
If you’ve not yet given a share code to UAL, you'll need to provide details of your eVisa as soon as possible.
- Use the ‘view and prove’ service to get your share code PDF. Select the option to 'prove your immigration status' (not the 'right to work' or 'right to rent' options).
- Log into your UAL Portal, choose 'My enrolment' and upload a copy of your share code under 'My study details.'
If the details of your eVisa change
If you provide a share code and then the details of your eVisa or immigration status change, you'll need to give a new share code to UAL as soon as possible.
Travelling with your eVisa
If you have a BRP that's valid until 31 December 2024, you should continue to travel with it until the end of the year, even if you have obtained an eVisa.
In 2025, you will be able to travel using your eVisa and passport. You must ensure that the passport (or travel document) linked to your UKVI account is up-to-date before travelling.
If you update your passport details too close to your date of arrival back into the UK, there is a chance that the system will not update in time. This may delay your entry back into the UK at the border.
Once you have obtained your eVisa, you must ensure that you update the travel document linked to your account as soon as possible. For example, as soon as you receive a new passport.
Watch a video from the UK Government Home Office on how to travel with your eVisa. Please note external content may not be fully accessible.
How to let UAL know you've switched to an eVisa
If your eVisa is new and you didn't give UAL a PDF with your share code when you enrolled previously, you’ll need provide this as soon as possible.
- If you're new to UAL or returning after time out, you should switch to an eVisa as soon as you receive your biometric residence permit (BRP). You'll need to provide details of your eVisa when you enrol at UAL in autumn 2024.
- If you're a current student, we encourage you to get your eVisa before you enrol at UAL in autumn 2024.
Use the ‘view and prove’ service to get your share code PDF. Select the option to 'prove your immigration status' (not the 'right to work' or 'right to rent' options).
What to do if you have indefinite leave to remain or indefinite leave to enter
If you currently prove your indefinite leave to remain* status through a stamp or vignette sticker in your passport, you must make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application.
This application is free of charge. If successful, you’ll be provided with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to prove your status. Use your BRP to create a UKVI account and use the 'view and prove' service to evidence your immigration status digitally.
*This is also known as 'settlement.'
More information and resources
View the latest information about eVisas on GOV.UK. Keep up to date and find out when you can access your UKVI account and your eVisa.