eVisa — digital UK immigration status
Updated 23 May 2026
9-character share code, valid 90 days, you give it to employer / landlord / university through UKVI account on gov.uk. Replaces BRP from January 2025. For BRPs printed to expire 31 December 2024, the 18-month setup window ends 30 June 2026.
BRP cards expired on 31 December 2024. Now your UK immigration status is digital. Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status, generate a share code — and give it to your employer, landlord or university. The code is valid for 90 days and you can reuse it with several checkers.
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01 Guide sections
W/R/S decoder, 3 steps on gov.uk. Most common support question.
Self-service 10-15 min or phone (5-15 days). What to do if you lost email and phone.
the3million NGO Q1 2026 report: ~46% of complaints relate to travel. This is an NGO submission, not Home Office stats.
ACAS, EASS, Tribunal. What to do if landlord also refuses.
Set up through expired BRP. NTL for wet-ink ILR. 18-month BRP window explained.
02 What is eVisa
eVisa is a digital proof of your UK immigration status. It is linked to your passport through a UKVI account on gov.uk. It replaces the BRP card, visa sticker and all paper documents from January 2025.
| Before (until 2025) | Now (2025+) |
|---|---|
| BRP card (plastic) | eVisa (digital, on gov.uk) |
| Visa sticker in passport | eVisa linked to passport automatically |
| Show card to employer | Generate share code online — they check it |
| Card can be lost physically | eVisa cannot be lost — only loss of access to UKVI |
03 Who needs a share code
Need share code
- Skilled Worker / Student / Seasonal Worker — for Right to Work
- Family / Spouse / EUSS holders — for rent or Right to Rent in England
- Refugee (status granted after March 2026 — 30 months) — for work and housing
- ILR through UKVI account — share code as modern proof
- University / bank / council / DVLA — S-prefix share code
Share code not needed
- Asylum seekers — use physical ARC card, Employer Checking Service for Right to Work
- UK / Irish citizens — passport is enough
- Pre-2024 ILR with wet-ink stamp in passport — legally valid, but better to apply for NTL
- Visitor visa — employer/landlord should not ask for share code (it is a violation)
04 When eVisa is issued
eVisa is issued automatically when you get any UK immigration status. Different groups have different activation times:
- Skilled Worker / Student / Family — when visa is issued; you need to set up UKVI account yourself before arrival or in the first days
- EUSS holders (EU Settled / Pre-Settled) — UKVI account was created when you applied for EUSS; use the same credentials
- Refugees — UKVI account is created automatically within 14 days after Home Office decision. Use KX customer number. SLA is often broken (4+ weeks)
- ILR holders (BRP era) — eVisa exists; you need to set up UKVI account
05 History of BRP and move to eVisa
06 Important things to know about the system
Important things to know about the system
- Known system errors
Computer Weekly reported 81,461 eVisa errors for April-October 2025 (based on court materials). Home Office has not officially confirmed this figure. Source: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643357/Home-Office-sitting-on-data-about-scale-of-eVisa-errors If your status shows incorrectly — you are not alone. Report through gov.uk/evisa/report-error-evisa.
- UKVI 0300 — not free
Standard rate (~10p/min from landline, up to 40p/min from mobile). PAYG alternative: 020 3875 4669. Free webchat: ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa.
- 30 June 2026 — 18-month BRP window
For BRPs printed to expire 31 December 2024, GOV.UK’s 18-month rule ends on this date. Status does not end, but linking or proving it may become harder.
- Free state support ended
On 31 March 2026 government funding for help to vulnerable migrants stopped. Remaining: Migrant Help 0808 801 0503, Assisted Digital 03333 445 675.
07 Frequently asked questions
What is eVisa?
eVisa is a digital proof of your UK immigration status. It is linked to your passport through a UKVI account on gov.uk. It replaces the BRP card from January 2025.
Do I need eVisa?
If you have a UK immigration status (work visa, student visa, family visa, EUSS, Refugee, ILR) — yes. UK/Irish citizens and asylum seekers with ARC card — no.
How to get a share code?
Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status → log in to UKVI account → "Prove your status to someone" → choose purpose (Work / Rent / Other) → get 9-character code. Valid for 90 days. You can reuse it with several checkers.
Employer / landlord does not accept share code — what to do?
They are legally required to accept share code (SI 2024/82, from 13 February 2024). If they refuse — first contact ACAS 0300 123 1100 (free). Full guide →
What does 30 June 2026 mean?
GOV.UK says an expired BRP can be used for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card to create a UKVI account, get a work/rent share code, or apply to stay. For BRPs printed to expire 31 December 2024, that window ends 30 June 2026. Your status does not end on that date, but proving or linking it may become harder. Details →