Changes to the UK Immigration System – eVisa

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are in the process of replacing physical immigration documents (including BRP/BRC) with a digital proof of immigration status called an eVisa. 

If you do not yet have an eVisa, you will now be able to create an account and access your eVisa.  

The UKVI account allows individual’s to: 

• View and prove their rights in the UK for an employer, landlord, education and other organisations such as government services and the National Health Service. 

• Update personal details including contact details, travel documents and personal information. 

• Link travel document(s) for return travel to the UK. 

It is important that individuals apply before 31 December 2024 to avoid delays in evidencing their UK immigration status i.e. for ‘Right to Work’ purposes or when travelling in and out of the UK. 

Key Points:  

• If you currently evidence your immigration status using a biometric residence permit (BRP), a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), physical Frontier Worker Permits (FWPs) or legacy paper documents such as a passport containing an ink-stamp or visa vignette sticker please visit www.gov.uk/evisa to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. 

• This applies whether you have a permanent (i.e. ILR) or temporary visa/ immigration status in the UK.   

• Obtaining an eVisa is free, takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will not change your immigration status for the UK. 

• UKVI provide a short video to explain eVisas. 

• Full details can be found on accessing your eVisa and a short video explains the steps to be undertaken. 

• eVisas should be linked to current passports or travel documents before travelling so they are visible to border control when entering the UK, even after a short holiday or business trip abroad. You can do this by using the Update your UKVI account details. 

Next Steps 

Please note that it is important that you ensure that you and any affected family members have access to your eVisas before 31 December 2024.  

• Video – What is an eVisa? 

• Video – How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account    

• Video – How to travel with your eVisa 

• Video – How to prove your immigration status 
• Drop-in sessions will be available from PPC in the coming weeks. To register your interest please email RTW@lincoln.ac.uk. 

Helpful Links 

• UKVI Information on the eVisa status 

• Get access to your UKVI Account 

• Update your UKVI Account details 

• View and prove your immigration status 

• Chat service for help for accessing your UKVI Account 

• Recovering your UKVI Account