Dear Sir/Madam,

We are contacting you because the UK border and immigration system is becoming digital. You may have seen that we are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status; this is known as an eVisa and is accessed via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

You are receiving this email as you already have a UKVI account, or you have started but not yet completed the creation of your UKVI account.

If you are a legal representative or advisor, we would be grateful if you could communicate this information to your clients where possible.

If you have not yet completed the creation of your UKVI account

You should complete the creation of your UKVI account and link it to your eVisa as soon as possible before your biometric residence permit (BRP) expires. Information and guidance on creating a UKVI account to access your eVisa is available at https://www.gov.uk/eVisa.

If you have children or dependants who you need to create a UKVI account for, start the account creation process as soon as possible before their BRPs expire. Information on UKVI accounts for children is available at https://www.gov.uk/eVisa, along with details of available support.

If you already have a UKVI account

You do not need to create another UKVI account to get access to your eVisa

For more information about eVisas and how this change will affect you, go to https://www.gov.uk/eVisa. If you hold a biometric residence permit or biometric residence card (BRC) then you should keep this somewhere safe, even after it has expired.

Accessing your UKVI account and eVisa

If you have not already viewed your eVisa, you can do this at https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

You will need:

Details of the identity document you use to sign in to your  UKVI account (your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit) Your date of birth Access to the mobile number or email address you use to sign in to your UKVI account – you’ll be sent a code for signing in

Travelling with your eVisa

Your eVisa will be used to confirm your right to travel to the UK if you travel internationally. It is essential that you check your current passport or travel document is linked to your eVisa before you travel internationally. This is to ensure you do not encounter unnecessary delays.

You can check the travel document linked to your eVisa and update it if required at https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details/update-your-ukvi-account

You need to update your passport or travel document information every time it changes to avoid travel delays.

While carriers should be able to check your eVisa automatically, you may still be asked to show evidence of your immigration status as we transition to eVisas. You may therefore find it helpful to create a share code in advance of travel and carry it with you. You can then print, write down or otherwise store the share code to be able to provide it when needed. A share code is valid for 90 days so can be created in advance of travel.

To support travel and provide further reassurance during the transition to eVisas, carriers may accept a BRP or EUSS BRC which expires on or after 31st December 2024 as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until the end of March 2025, where you continue to have valid immigration status. You should carry your expired BRP or expired EUSS BRC with you when you travel. An EUSS BRC is a BRC that was issued following a successful application to the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you no longer have a BRP or EUSS BRC or were not issued with one, your permission to travel will be checked through other means.

Keep your UKVI account up to date.

It’s important to keep your UKVI account personal details up to date at https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details/update-your-ukvi-account so you can:

Travel with your current passport or identity document and avoid unnecessary delays when travelling internationally.

View and prove your rights to others, for example employers or landlords. Be contacted by UKVI, for example if you’re waiting for a decision or to have documents returned.

If you’re updating your name, date of birth or nationality, you will also need an identity document proving your new details.

You can update personal details including:

Identity document – such as your passport or national identity card Phone number Email address Name Home address Postal address

Get a share code

Using your eVisa, you can generate a share-code to confirm your immigration status. Information on how to do this is available at https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

With a share code you will be able to:

Prove your right to work. Prove your right to rent in England. Prove your identity or immigration status for anything else.

Recover your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

If you have an existing UKVI account and need to regain access, use the online account recovery service available here: https://update-your-details.homeoffice.gov.uk/account-recovery/help.

If you are British Citizen

Ignore this email if you are a British citizen; you do not need a UKVI account if you are a British citizen. If you need to travel overseas you should either obtain a British citizen passport or a certificate of entitlement for the right of abode that is fixed to your foreign passport. You can also ignore this if you are an Irish citizen who travels using an Irish passport.

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

Ignore this email If you have an ETA; you do not need a UKVI account if you have an ETA. For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation

Cancelled curtailed, expired or revoked immigration permission

You still have a UKVI account if your permission to enter or stay in the UK has been cancelled, curtailed, expired, or revoked; though it will show you do not have an immigration status.

If you have pre-settled status or settled status under the EUSS and it is curtailed or revoked, you will still be able to view and share your status during the period in which you can appeal or while an appeal is pending.

If you are granted immigration permission in the future, your new status will be visible through your existing UKVI account.

Get help

If you think the details within your eVisa are incorrect go to https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

To get help with your UKVI account or guidance about how to access your eVisa go to https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa

Alternatively go to https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device. do not have internet access. do not have access to a device like a laptop or smart phone.

Stay updated

For the latest eVisa information visit https://www.gov.uk/eVisa, and sign up for updates. This page will be regularly updated.