The eVisa Transition: From BRP to Digital Status

An eVisa is an online digital record of your immigration status held by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). It replaces:

• Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) — physical cards issued from 2008.
• Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) — issued to EEA family members.
• Passport endorsements (vignettes) — older paper-based proof.
• Confirmation letters and EU Settlement Scheme certificates.

The eVisa is accessed through your UK Visas and Immigration account at gov.uk/evisa. From the account you can generate a Share Code — a one-time 9-character code that anyone (employer, landlord, government department) can use to verify your status at gov.uk/view-right-to-work or gov.uk/view-right-to-rent. The Share Code is valid for 90 days.

If you held a valid BRP:

1. Go to gov.uk/evisa and create a UK Visas and Immigration account.
2. Verify your identity using your BRP details, the email address from your last application, and a photo (the system uses facial recognition to match against the existing biometric).
3. Link your existing immigration status to the new account.
4. Generate Share Codes as needed for employment, housing, banking, or travel.

If you cannot access the system (lost BRP, email no longer valid, no smartphone), contact the UKVI Resolution Centre at 0300 790 6268. Help is also available at Citizens Advice and through immigration solicitors.

You do not have to surrender the physical BRP card — keep it as a backup. But the legal evidence of status is the eVisa.

For employment and tenancy checks: employers and landlords use the gov.uk online check service — they enter your Share Code and date of birth, and see your immigration status. The employer must do this check and keep a copy of the confirmation page for the duration of employment plus 2 years. Failure to do a proper check is a civil penalty offence (up to £60,000 per illegal worker since February 2024).

For travel: from 2025, the Home Office shares immigration status directly with airlines and other carriers via the API (Advance Passenger Information) system. You should not need a physical document at boarding. However, carriers have been inconsistent during the transition — some still ask for BRPs or passport endorsements. Keep your old BRP and check your eVisa status in your UKVI account before travelling.

For banking, GP registration, council services: the eVisa is the proof. Generate a Share Code or grant the organisation digital access through your account.

Issues that have arisen during the transition:

• Locked out of UKVI account — contact the Resolution Centre. They can reset access using identity verification (date of birth, passport details, security questions).
• Mismatched data (e.g. name spelt differently in different records) — submit a Status Update request through your UKVI account or via the Home Office "ask for a status update" online form.
• Carrier refuses boarding despite valid eVisa — go to the Airline Liaison Officer (every major UK airport has one) before scheduled departure. They can verify status with the Home Office in real time and authorise boarding.
• Employer refuses to do the digital check — they are required to. Failure may mean refusal of the job or, if continuing, the employer faces civil penalties. If you have made offered to provide a Share Code and they refuse, this may also be unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
• Children's status — children's eVisas are linked to the parent's UKVI account or managed by the parent. Set this up before the child needs to travel or be enrolled at school.

Different starting positions:

• EU Settlement Scheme status — those with EUSS settled or pre-settled status already have a digital-only status. The eVisa system continues this. Create or use your existing UKVI account.
• Family Permit holders — six-month entry permits — were largely paper-based; check your account to confirm digital status is recorded.
• Pending or refused applications — if you have an in-progress application or appeal, you may have an eVisa showing "leave outstanding" status. Check the account regularly during the pending period.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain holders — ILR is permanent and should appear in your eVisa as "no time limit". If it does not, request a status update.
• British citizens — do not need an eVisa, as British citizens are not subject to immigration control. Use your British passport.