An eVisa is your UK immigration record online: the permission you hold, its dates and any conditions on work or study. You access it through a UKVI account. Creating that account does not grant a visa or extend your permission. If you already have an account, sign in to it rather than creating another.
Use this guide to work out which service you need, link your status and passport, and deal with problems before you need to prove your rights or travel. Rules and official links checked on .
Who needs to set up an eVisa?
Start with the document or status you already have:
- You already use a UKVI account. Check that you can view your eVisa. You may already have an account from an EUSS application, the UK Immigration: ID Check app or an earlier move from a physical document.
- You had a BRP but have not accessed your eVisa. Follow the account setup steps below. A card’s expiry date and the end of your immigration permission are different things; check your actual status.
- You have just received a successful visa decision. Follow the instructions in the decision email or letter. UKVI stopped issuing visa vignette stickers for successful new visa applications on 1 July 2026. An existing vignette that is still valid can be used until it expires; do not assume every older document became invalid on that date. See the Home Office transition updates.
- You have old, indefinite permission shown by a passport stamp or sticker. Use the settlement document service to check whether you need a free No Time Limit application. Valid legacy settlement evidence remains usable. This is a different route from linking an expired BRP.
An ETA is separate from an eVisa. British and Irish citizens do not need an eVisa for their British or Irish citizenship. For the distinction between settlement and a time-limited visa, see our guide to indefinite leave to remain.
How to create your UKVI account and link your eVisa
1. Check whether you already have an account
Look for a UKVI account confirmation in your emails and try signing in with the identity document registered to it. If you cannot get in, use the recovery options provided by the service. A second account is not the fix for a forgotten login.
2. Have your contact details and identity document ready
The official account setup page lists these options:
- a valid passport and your visa application reference, such as a GWF or UAN;
- a valid passport and your BRP number; or
- an expired BRP, within 24 months of its expiry or by 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.
You also need a phone number and an email address you can access when signing in. Each dependant, including a child, needs their own account. The official page has alternatives if you do not have the required document or access to a smartphone.
3. Complete the identity check and account tasks
Start from GOV.UK and follow the identity-check instructions for your circumstances. You may be directed to the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Finish the remaining account tasks and submit them; opening an account alone does not mean your eVisa is ready to view.
4. Open the eVisa and check what it says
Follow the instructions to link your eVisa, then check your name, photo, status, dates and conditions. Keep the confirmation email. If you have a new visa decision but cannot yet see the correct status, use the error route below rather than assuming your permission has been refused.
How to get a share code for work, renting or another check
Sign in to view your eVisa and get a share code, choose why you need to prove your status and follow the prompts. Give the code and your date of birth to the person checking it. Choose the purpose that matches the check; a landlord in England and an employer use different services.
A share code lasts 90 days and can be used more than once during that period. You can generate another whenever you need one. You do not need to share your UKVI password or a sign-in security code. For a rental check, our right to rent guide covers that specific process.
Link your current passport before travelling
Open Update your UKVI account details and check the passport you intend to use. Add a renewed or replacement passport before travelling, then check that the update is complete. Your booking details must match your passport. If you are waiting for a visa decision, you cannot change your name or passport through that service; follow the official guidance for your pending application.
Carry the valid passport linked to your account. The carrier checks your permission electronically; a missing or incorrect link can cause delays or refusal of boarding. GOV.UK also recommends obtaining a travel share code before you leave. If the carrier cannot confirm your status, ask staff to contact the UK Border Force carrier support hub. Check the official travel guidance for your documents and circumstances, especially if your passport has changed while you are outside the UK.
Keep an old BRP and its number safely for future applications. That does not make an expired BRP a substitute for a valid travel document.
If your eVisa is missing or the details are wrong
- You cannot sign in: use the account recovery help on the sign-in service. Check which identity document you originally registered.
- Your passport, name or contact details have changed: use the account details update service above.
- Your eVisa has the wrong status or details, will not display, or will not generate a share code: check the Report an error with your eVisa service and follow the route it gives you.
For an error report, the Home Office aims to respond within five working days; a complex case can take up to 15. Those are error-handling times, not a promise that every new visa application or account link will be processed within five days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a UK eVisa free?
Creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa through GOV.UK is free. Fees for an immigration application are separate.
What if I have lost my BRP?
You can use a valid passport and your visa application reference, such as a GWF or UAN, to set up an account. Check the alternatives on the official setup page if you do not have those documents.
How do I know my eVisa is ready?
Follow the confirmation instructions and sign in to view it. Check that your actual immigration status and dates are correct; an account confirmation by itself is not a visa decision.
Do I need a new account for a new passport?
No. Add the passport to your existing UKVI account and check that the update is complete before travelling.
Does moving to an eVisa change my visa expiry date?
No. Moving your existing status online does not extend or otherwise change that immigration permission. Check the dates and conditions shown in your eVisa.
