eVisas - important immigration document changes
The way that people prove access and prove their immigration status is changing.
People in the UK who currently use a physical immigration document, such as a biometric residence permit (BRP), or legacy paper document such as a passport containing an ink stamp or a vignette sticker will now need to take action to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
It is free, and straightforward for people who hold physical immigration documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Visit GOV.UK - eVisas (opens new window) to find out more details.
An eVisa is an electronic record of a person's immigration status. Updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect a person's immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.
As physical documents that evidence immigration status expire, customers who have created a UKVI account will be able to use the view and prove service to prove their status securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords, and view their immigration status
Most new visa applicants will get an eVisa from autumn 2024 onwards. All biometric residence permits (BRPs) will expire on 31 December 2024. These should not be renewed, and instead BRP card holders should create a UKVI account to access their status going forward.
People who already have an eVisa, including anyone granted status through the EU Settlement Scheme, do not need to do anything other than keep their UKVI account up to date with their latest passport and contact details.
If they want to, those required to check status can help to raise awareness about the move to eVisas by directing individuals who present a physical proof of status to www.gov.uk/evisa to find out what this means for them.
People who need support with this process can contact Migrant Help (opens new window) on 07483 170100 or by email evisa@migranthelpuk.org
Checking someone's immigration status
If you are presented with a share code by an individual who needs to prove their rights, then you can use the status checking service in the usual way to verify their rights. Eventually it is envisaged that everyone with an immigration status will demonstrate their status this way.
People who already have an UKVI account can use the view and prove service at GOV.UK view and prove immigration status (opens new window).
Those checking status can then use the following:
- check someone's right to work (opens new window)
- check someone's right to rent (opens new window)
- check immigration status (opens new window)