
From 1 January 2025, all UK physical immigration documents, including Biometic Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), have been replaced with an online record of one’s immigration status, known as an eVisa.
The eVisa system provides an online record for each UK visa holder, which displays their immigration status and the conditions of their leave.
Holders of status under the EU Settlement Scheme already have such a digital record. A UKVI account was set up for them at the time of their original application, and as such, they do not need to register for an eVisa separately.
Other visa holders will need to set up a UKVI account to be able to access their eVisas. Once your UKVI account is created, you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, such as the type of your permission, when it expires and the conditions of your stay in the UK.
All BRPs with leave valid beyond 1 January 2025 were issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024. However, due to concerns about the number of people who have not yet registered to access their eVisas, the Home Office have advised that expired BRPs can still be used as evidence of valid leave for returning to the UK from overseas until 31 March 2025. Nevertheless, it is at the discretion of transport companies to accept these expired documents as proof, and it is, therefore, strongly recommended that you obtain an eVisa in advance of returning to the UK.
The process of applying for an eVisa is relatively quick, but it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks to access your eVisa. When you receive an email from the Home Office stating that your eVisa has been processed and is viewable, you must log in to your account to check that you can actually see it. There have been instances where applicants have been unable to view their immigration status despite having received the relevant confirmation email.
If you had not been issued with a BRP and you proved your UK immigration status with another physical document, such as a wet ink stamp or a vignette in your passport, it is strongly advisable that you apply to transfer your status to an eVisa as soon as possible.
In order to view and prove your UK immigration status with an eVisa, you need to obtain a share code.
How to get a share code
You can get a share code only if you have a UKVI account.
Log into your UKVI account and use the “View and Prove Your Immigration Status” service to generate a share code.
You will need the following details to log in to your UKVI account:
- details of the identity document you have used to register your UKVI account (your passport, national identity card, biometric residence card or permit)
- your date of birth
- access to the mobile number or email address you have used to register your UKVI account – you will be sent a code in order to complete the signing in process.
How to use a share code
Share codes are generally valid for 90 days and can be used to confirm your immigration status in various circumstances, including when travelling back to the UK, proving the right to work or rent, or to claim benefits.
Updated: 13 January 2025
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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