The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status. Production of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), entry clearance vignettes (stickers in a passport which allow entry into the UK) and other stickers in passports has now been discontinued. Non-UK/Irish nationals who apply for a visa will be granted a digital status, known as an eVisa. The confirmation of grant will include 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.
Who needs to take action?
If you have a BRP, Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or any other paper document to evidence your rights in the UK and you have not already done so, you must apply for an eVisa.
Who does not need to do anything?
- British and Irish citizens
- Visitor visa holders and those granted Visitor status at the UK border
- Anyone in the UK for 6 months or less
- Those who already have an eVisa, either because they had a BRP and have created a UKVI account to access their eVisa, or because their status was only granted digitally
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.
What you need to do, if you have not done so already
Creating a UKVI account
You should create your UKVI account so you can access your eVisa before your BRP expires. Creating a UKVI account is free, straightforward and will not require you to send any documents to the Home Office. You can use either the number at the top right of the front of your BRP card or your visa application reference number to create your account.
If you do not create an account to access your eVisa, you may face difficulties if you need to prove your immigration status.
You should retain your BRP even after it expires, as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK, and you may also want it for your personal records.
If your BRP has been lost, stolen or damaged
You can use your travel document, such as a passport, and your visa application reference number to create your UKVI account.
Production of BRPs has now been discontinued and you can no longer request a new or replacement BRP. However, you must still report loss, theft or damage to UKVI.
Travelling
You cannot re-enter the UK using your BRP, even if it is still valid, though you should take it with you. You must create a UKVI account before you travel.
Updating your UKVI account details
Once you have created a UKVI account, you can view your eVisa by logging into the view and prove your immigration status service. This cannot be used to prove your right to work or rent in the UK - please see below.
You must keep your details up to date, including the details of your identity document (eg your passport).
Proving your right to work or right to rent after your BRP expires
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.
If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “EU scheme settlement”
You have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and will already have a UKVI account with a digital status. You should continue to carry your valid BRC with you when you travel internationally.
If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “Family member – EU residence”
If you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies. You will need to apply for a form of permission as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen. Do not travel internationally until you can prove your immigration status.
You can choose whether or not to set up a UKVI account if you have physical proof of your ILR/ILE status (for example a stamp or vignette sticker in a current or expired passport). Moving to an eVisa will not change your immigration status, and you can continue to use your existing document. However, having an eVisa will bring significant benefits:
- Secure and convenient: eVisas can’t be lost, stolen or damaged like the physical document.
- Smoother travel: obtaining an eVisa enables carriers to confirm permission to travel through automated checks against Home Office records, ensuring a smoother journey, and avoiding the inconvenience and delays of additional checks.
- Streamlined access to services: Government departments like the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the NHS can verify status directly with the Home Office, reducing the need to present documents. Switching to an eVisa now will also make it easier to transition to using a digital ID, in line with the government’s recent announcement on the roll out of a national digital ID.
- Improved user experience: users can manage their status online and share it with landlords and service providers easily. Unlike a vignette or stamp in a passport, an eVisa can also be used to prove a right to work.
- Stay informed: people with eVisas can get updates and notifications relevant to their immigration status through their UKVI account.
If you wish to get an eVisa, you should make a free-of-charge ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application which helps UKVI to re-establish your identity so that you can create a UKVI account.
The Home Office has simplified this process and you can now apply using the passport you used last time you entered the UK and the document which proves you have ILR/ILE. You will be asked if you have been outside the UK for two years or more, but will not need to provide evidence of your residence in the UK. Once approved, you will receive an eVisa. Instructions on how to access it will be in your decision letter or email.
You can travel freely while your NTL application is being processed.
If you have a vignette sticker under EEA Regulations in your passport
See "If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “Family member – EU residence” above.
If you have a vignette sticker in your passport as you are visiting the UK for 6 months or less
You do not need to take any action. Your vignette should cover the duration of your visit and you will not be entitled to, or need, an eVisa. These vignettes will begin to be phased out in 2025 and will be replaced by the eVisa.
If you are coming to the UK from overseas for more than 6 months and you have an entry clearance vignette sticker in your passport
Entry clearance granted before 15 July 2025
Your entry clearance vignette sticker in your passport will be valid for 90 calendar days. Following your arrival in the UK, you must create a UKVI account so you can access your eVisa before the later of (a) 10 calendar days after your arrival or (b) before your entry clearance vignette sticker expires. You will not receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
If you need to start work before creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa, you will be able to use the entry clearance vignette sticker in your passport to prove your right to work in the UK. Your recruiting department will need to meet with you to carry out a right to work check and then, once you have created a UKVI account and sent them a share code, a follow-up check can be done, either in person or via video call, using the online service. If you cannot access your eVisa or use the online service, you can continue to work but you must report this online.
Entry clearance granted on or after 15 July 2025
From 15 July, main applicants for the following visas will no longer receive a 90-day vignette in their passport (permission will be by way of eVisa only):
- Skilled Worker
- Global Talent
- Temporary Work, including Government Authorised Exchange (GAE)
- Youth Mobility Scheme
- Student (including short-term up to 11 months)
- Global Business Mobility
- International Sportspersons
You must make sure, before you come to the UK, that you:
- Follow all the instructions in your decision letter to create a UKVI account; and
- Access your eVisa to check the details are correct; and
- Link your travel document (e.g. passport) to your eVisa before travelling.
To enable you to start work, your recruiting department will need to meet with you or have a video call with you, after you arrive in the UK, to carry out a right to work check. Please send them a share code once your eVisa has been granted.
Dependants and children will still get both a vignette (sticker) allowing them to enter the UK, and an eVisa.
You do not need to do anything.
If you have dual nationality and neither of those nationalities is British or Irish, you will need to add the passport you will use to travel to your UKVI account. If you have a passport for both nationalities, you can add both to your account.
If you are a British or Irish citizen holding dual nationality and you wish to travel overseas, you will need to show your carrier (for example, an airline, rail company or other transport provider) a British or Irish passport.
To be able to travel, you will need to show your carrier (for example airline, rail company, or other transport provider):
- your British or Irish passport; or
- another passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode
If you have the right of abode in the UK and you still have your BRP, check what you need to do with it after being granted citizenship.