eVisas: access and use your online immigration status

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Set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa

You need a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa.

If your partner and children are joining you in the UK as ‘dependants’ then they need their own UKVI accounts to access their eVisas.

Who can access an eVisa

You can usually access an eVisa if you have permission to be in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) for more than 6 months.

You can also access an eVisa if you have permission to be in the UK for 6 months or less for some types of work or study visa.

You’ll be told if you can access an eVisa when you get your visa decision.

You do not need an eVisa if you:

  • are visiting the UK with an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
  • have a Standard Visitor visa
  • have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
  • are exempt from immigration control, including if you’re a diplomat or have ‘right of abode’
  • have permission to stay in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

Check if you already have a UKVI account

You’ll already have a UKVI account if you’ve ever:

  • used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to confirm your identity when applying for a visa
  • created an account when applying for a visa - you’ll have received a UKVI account confirmation email
  • replaced a physical immigration document with an eVisa, for example a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC)
  • applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

If you already have a UKVI account then you should not create another one.

If you’re not sure whether you already have a UKVI account, you can try to sign in to view your eVisa.

Access your eVisa

You must first create a UKVI account.

To create an account, you’ll need a phone number and email address that you can use each time you sign in.

You’ll also need one of the following, if you have them:

  • a valid passport and your visa application number - this is a global web form (GWF) number or unique application number (UAN)
  • a valid passport and your BRP number
  • your expired BRP card - you can use it for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card

After you create your account you’ll be asked to confirm your identity and link your account to your eVisa.

You’ll need access to a smartphone so you can install an app to confirm your identity. You’ll be able to confirm your identity another way if you either:

  • do not have a valid passport or an expired BRP card
  • cannot access a smartphone or use the app

Access your eVisa

You cannot access your eVisa until you’ve linked it to your UKVI account. You can link your UKVI account to your eVisa if you did not do it when you created your account.

If you have settlement (‘no time limit’ applications)

If you have a physical document with no expiry date that proves you have settlement in the UK, you do not need to get an eVisa.

You can continue to use your physical immigration document, for example a wet ink stamp or vignette (sticker) that shows you have indefinite leave to remain.

You can choose to get an eVisa so that you have a digital record to prove your identity and immigration status. To get an eVisa, you need to make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application. You’ll still be able to use your physical immigration document to prove your status.

Make an NTL application

To apply, you’ll need:

  • the physical document that proves that you have settlement, for example a sticker showing your indefinite leave to remain
  • the passport or travel document you used when you last entered the UK

Make an NTL application.

After you apply

It can take up to 6 months to process an NTL application.

After your NTL application is approved, you can set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Get help

You can contact UKVI online to get help using your UKVI account or accessing your eVisa.

You can get additional help if you’re in the UK and:

You can also watch eVisa support videos.

Help someone else

You can help someone else to create their UKVI account, for example someone who cannot use the internet. 

You can manage the other person’s account if you’re acting on their behalf, for example if they’re your child or you have power of attorney. Use your own phone number and email address when you create the account, so you can use them to sign in.

If the person becomes able to manage their own account or a child reaches 18, you should update their UKVI account details. Use their phone number and email address so that they can sign in.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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