The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status (an eVisa). Production of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) was discontinued at the end of 2024 and anyone who would have received a BRP is now granted an eVisa. The confirmation of grant includes instructions on how to create or access a UKVI account, and how to link a travel document to the eVisa for international travel.
Anyone who already holds physical proof of their immigration status (such as a BRP or an Indefinite Leave to Enter/Remain ink stamp or vignette in a passport) must apply for an eVisa to continue to prove their rights in the UK, which include right to work, right to rent and access to UK government services and benefits such as the National Health Service. These documents can still be used for international travel for as long as they remain valid.
Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - what's the difference?
The two are not interchangeable and anyone except a British or Irish citizen must have one or the other before they travel to the UK.
- Those whose nationality is on the visa national list must apply for an appropriate visa, and this must have been granted, before they travel to the UK.
- Anyone whose nationality is not listed (and who could previously enter the UK as a visitor using just their passport/travel document) must have an ETA before travelling to the UK.
Latest updates on eVisas and ETAs
Visitors from 25th February 2026
Holders of paper-based vignettes should continue to use them until they expire. However, for new visitors:
- Visa nationals: Most visa nationals who apply for a Visitor visa will receive an eVisa rather than a vignette sticker in their passport, which will be linked to the passport they used to apply for the visa. This means that they will not need to leave their passport at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and therefore will only need to attend the VAC once to submit their biometric information.
- Non-visa nationals: Those wishing to enter the UK as a Visitor must hold an ETA - this will be strictly enforced and they will be denied boarding if they are not able to show their ETA.
Exempt from immigration control
Those who have exempt status (for example some members of the armed forces and those working for certain international organisations such as the European Bioinformatics Institute (also known as European Molecular Biology Laboratory) (EMBL-EBI)) will no longer receive a vignette sticker in a passport. Instead, they will have a "digital record of exemption from immigration control".
Dual nationals from 26th February 2026
A dual national, where one nationality is British or Irish, must travel to the UK using either a valid UK or Irish passport, or any other valid passport with a Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode (CoE) - even if their other nationality would qualify for an ETA, they should not apply for one as they are not eligible. New overseas CoE applicants will be granted a digital CoE which will be linked to their passport. They will therefore not need to renew the CoE when their passport expires. Anyone who applies for a CoE in the UK may receive a digital CoE and a vignette sticker. You may find the following links useful:
Dual British citizens who do not already have a British passport or a CoE are advised to apply for one or the other. They can both take up to 8 weeks to receive if you apply in the UK, or longer if you apply overseas.
The Home Office has introduced temporary measures for dual British/Irish citizens who need to travel but do not yet have a British/Irish passport, or another passport with a valid CoE
Home Office Travel Document (HOTD) holders from 26th February 2026
You may have an HOTD if you are unable to get a passport from your home country's national authorities, for example if you are a refugee in the UK or a stateless person. All existing and newly-issued HOTDs will be automatically linked to an eVisa account. Holders do not need to take action but, from 26th February, should log into their UKVI account to make sure that their HOTD is correctly linked.
Don't have an eVisa yet?
You will need to set one up, particularly if you want to travel. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account.
Keeping your eVisa up to date
Once you have created a UKVI account, you can view your eVisa by logging into the view and prove your immigration status service. It is vital that you keep your eVisa up to date, including the details of your identity document (eg your passport).
Proving your right to work or right to rent
If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you have created your UKVI account you can log into the following services:
Right to work: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-online
Right to rent: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online
You will not need to provide proof of your right to work in the UK to the University if you have already done so. You will need to prove it if you move to a new employer.
Problems?
There are various ways to deal with any issues you might encounter:
- If you do not have a smart phone, you can use someone else's to create your eVisa account; your data will not be stored on their phone. The mobile you use does not need to have a UK number.
- If you have lost or no longer have access to Home Office reference numbers, you will be directed to a Request Your Reference service when creating your UKVI account.
- If you encounter any problems creating your UKVI account, the Home Office has a dedicated webchat service to assist with all queries.
- If you become locked out of your account, you should contact UKVI.
- If you notice an error with your eVisa such as with your name, photograph or an incorrect status, please report this online.
Version: 2
Last updated: February 2026
Owner: HR Compliance Team