Physical immigration documents are gone — your UK status now lives online as an eVisa in a free UKVI account. This 2026 guide explains how to set up your account, prove your status with a share code, what happened to BRPs, and what to do for travel.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status, accessed through a free UKVI account. It has replaced physical documents — the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), biometric residence card, passport endorsements and vignette stickers.
How to set up your UKVI account
Create your account for free at gov.uk/get-access-evisa, verifying your identity with the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app. You’ll need a phone number and email you can reuse each sign-in, plus a valid passport and your visa application number (GWF or UAN) — or your expired BRP.
Proving your status (share codes)
Use the “View and Prove” service to generate a share code. A right-to-work code starts with W; a right-to-rent code starts with R. Codes are valid for 90 days and must be used for the purpose they were generated for.
What happened to BRPs?
Most BRPs expired on 31 December 2024 — but this did not end your visa, only how you prove it. You can still use an expired BRP to create your account for up to 24 months after expiry, or until 31 December 2026, whichever is first.
Travel
Your eVisa is linked to your passport, so keep those details current. If you renew your passport, update your UKVI account before you travel. This applies whether you hold a work visa, a student visa or settled status.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK eVisa?
An online record of your immigration status held in a free UKVI account; it has replaced the BRP and other physical documents.
How do I create a UKVI account?
At gov.uk/get-access-evisa using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, with your passport and visa application number (GWF/UAN) or expired BRP.
How do I prove my immigration status?
Generate a share code in the View and Prove service — a W code for right to work, an R code for right to rent — each valid for 90 days.
My BRP expired — is my visa still valid?
Yes — BRPs expired on 31 December 2024 but your visa continues; only how you prove it changed.
Can I still use my expired BRP?
To set up your account, yes — up to 24 months after expiry or until 31 December 2026, whichever is first.
What do I need to do for travel?
Keep your passport details updated in your UKVI account, and update it before you travel if you renew your passport.
