eVisa UK 2026: How the New Digital System Works

The UK completely eliminated physical immigration documents on December 31, 2024. If you plan to study in the country this year, you will work exclusively with a digital system called eVisa.

There’s no more plastic card to carry in your wallet. No more paper to lose or renew. Everything happens through an online account linked to your passport. This change affects all international students, regardless of age or course type.

What happened to the BRPs?

The biometric residence permits were physical cards about the size of a credit card. They contained a photograph, a fingerprint, and a chip with immigration data. Students received these cards after their visas were approved and had to carry them with them at all times.

The problem: the chip had a technical limitation that forced it to expire on December 31, 2024. It didn’t matter when his visa actually expired. All the BRPs showed that date printed on them.

Why the government changed the system:

• Reduce fraud and document forgery
• Eliminate card production and shipping costs
• Facilitate real-time controls
• Align yourself with the digital systems of other countries
• Preparing the frontiers for full automation

No new BRPs had been issued as of January 2025. If you received visa approval after that date, you have already been automatically entered into the digital system.

How the eVisa works in practice

Your immigration status now exists only online. When your visa is approved, the Ministry of the Interior creates a digital record linked to your passport number. This record contains everything that the old BRP showed: photo, visa type, expiration date, conditions, and restrictions.

You can access this record through a UK visa and immigration account. Think of it as a digital immigration wallet. There you can view your current status, generate sharing codes, and update your personal information.

What you see in your UKVI account:

• Type of permit (student visa, student visa for children, etc.)
• Start and end dates of the permit
• Specific conditions (permitted working hours)
• Documents related to your application
• History of entries and exits from the country

None of this is on your mobile phone or computer. The information is on British government servers. You only access it when you need it.

Creating your UKVI account

The initial setup process takes between 10 and 30 minutes. You will need your current passport, a smartphone with NFC, and a stable internet connection.

Steps to create an account:

First, go to the official website gov.uk/view-prover-immigration-status and choose to create a new account. Enter the basic information: your full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, and document number.

Next, the system will ask you to download the UK Immigration: ID Check app. This app uses NFC technology to read the chip in your passport. Make sure you enable NFC in your smartphone settings before you begin.

Place the closed passport against the back of your cell phone. The app will vibrate when it detects the chip. Keep them together until the reading is complete. This takes about 10 seconds.

Next comes facial verification. The app asks for a selfie against a bright background. The lighting should be good, with no shadows on the face. Some people try four or five times to get a photo that the system accepts.

Common problems during setup:

Very old passports may have damaged chips that cannot be read correctly. If this happens, you must use an alternative verification method using your visa application number.

Mobile phones without NFC will not work for this process. iPhones must be model 7 or later. Android systems vary, but most devices manufactured after 2016 have this technology.

White or very dark backgrounds in selfies tend to be off-putting. Ideally, you should use a smooth, neutral-colored wall, natural front lighting, and position the camera at eye level.

Share codes

You don’t directly show your UKVI account to other people. Instead, it generates temporary codes that allow you to check your status without exposing sensitive information.

Each code is a 9-character sequence (letters and numbers). It expires automatically after 90 days. During this time, anyone with the code can check their permits on the government website.

When you need a code:

• New employer verifying right to work
• The owner confirms the right to rent the property
• Opening a bank current account
• The university verifies eligibility for enrollment
• Any service that requires proof of legal status

Generating the code takes 30 seconds. Log in to your account, click “Share your migration status,” and choose the purpose. The system will generate the code immediately.

The individual or company uses this code on the website gov.uk/view-right-to-work. Enter the code along with your date of birth. The system displays your photo, name, and relevant permissions. Nothing more than that.

Travel with an eVisa

Airlines and border agents automatically access your status when they scan your passport. You don’t need to show anything other than your travel document.

The process works like this: when you check in online or at the counter, the company sends your passport details to the API (Advance Passenger Information) system. The UK database responds, confirming that you have a valid permit to enter.

At the arrival airport:

Automated doors read your passport and compare it to biometric data. Cameras verify that your face matches the system’s photo. All of this happens in seconds, without human interaction.

If you encounter any technical difficulties, please proceed to the manual verification queue. The immigration officer accesses the same system, but manually, via a terminal connected to the central database.

Problems during the trip:

You must add a new or renewed passport to your UKVI account before traveling. If you arrive with an unlinked passport, the systems will not automatically recognize your status.

Plan your exchange in advance, including resolving these technical issues before you travel.

Updating the information in the system

Your e-visa must always reflect your current information. Passport renewal, address change, or name change require immediate updating of your UKVI account.

How to update a new passport:

Log in to your account, go to “add travel document,” and follow a process similar to the initial setup. You’ll scan your new passport through the app and complete a new facial verification. The system will automatically link your immigration status to the updated document.

You don’t need to retrieve your old passport. It will still appear in your account as a historical document. However, only the most recent one is valid for travel and checks.

Change of direction:

Technically required within 7 days of moving. In practice, many students forget or delay this. This can cause problems if the Home Office needs to contact you regarding renewal or verification.

The update is simple: go to “personal details,” edit the address, and save. You don’t need any documentation to prove the change, but keep the evidence in case it’s requested in the future.

Solve technical problems

Digital systems fail. Servers go offline. Apps crash. Having a backup plan prevents panic when you most need access to your status.

Common problematic situations:

You’re at the airport about to board your flight back to the UK after a holiday. You’re trying to generate an exchange code to show the airline. The app won’t load. The connection is poor. What to do?

First, try using your mobile network instead of the airport’s Wi-Fi. Many public networks block certain types of connections. If that still doesn’t work, call UKVI’s helpline. Yes, they have an emergency phone line.

Useful numbers to save:

• UK Immigration: +44 300 123 2241 (within the UK)
• International line: +44 203 080 0010
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm (UK time)

Save these numbers on your cell phone before you travel. Also, keep a printed screenshot of your e-visa showing its validity and conditions. It’s not official proof, but it helps explain the situation if the systems are down.

Real-life scenarios and how to solve them:

A student was returning from a vacation in Spain when the airline’s system failed to recognize her status. The airport was undergoing maintenance. She called the support line and received a temporary code over the phone within 15 minutes.

Another case: a student trying to open a bank account. The manager was unfamiliar with the e-Visa and requested a physical BRP. The solution involved accessing gov.uk/evisa from the bank’s computer and demonstrating how to verify the code. This resolved the issue and educated the employee.

Important supporting documents:

Keep copies of your visa approval letter, the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), proof of payment of the immigration health surcharge, and any emails sent to the Ministry of the Interior. These documents do not legally replace your electronic visa, but they provide context for your status when needed.

Electronic visa for minors

Parents or legal guardians manage the accounts of students under 18 years of age. The initial setup is done by the adult, but using the student’s data and documents.

Differences for minors:

The app allows you to add a “proxy,” which is a person authorized to access and manage eVisa on behalf of the owner. In the case of minors, this is usually a parent or designated legal guardian.

The proxy can generate sharing codes, update information, and view status. However, it cannot change visa conditions or submit new applications. This remains the direct responsibility of the visa holder or through official processes.

When a student turns 18, they automatically gain full control of their account. Parents lose their guardian access. The system sends a notification about this change 30 days before the student’s birthday.

High school programs abroad include guidance on how parents and students should manage these issues during their study period.

Integrations with other services

The electronic visa isn’t just for immigration. It connects with various UK government and private systems.

Services that automatically verify:

• National Health Service (NHS)
• Federal Revenue Service (HMRC) for taxes
• Department of Transportation (DVLA) to obtain a driver’s license
• Voter registration (where applicable)
• Universities and colleges for enrollment

This integration reduces bureaucracy. You don’t need to carry immigration documents everywhere. The system automatically verifies your status through government APIs.

But not everything is integrated yet. Commercial banks, for example, are still adapting. Some employees don’t know how to properly verify electronic visas. They’re requesting physical documents that no longer exist.

How to manage non-integrated services:

Politely explain that BRPs no longer exist as of 2024. Show the official government webpage that explains electronic visas. Offer to generate a shareable code that allows for online verification.

If the assistant insists on needing a physical document, ask to speak to the supervisor. Most managers have already received training on the new system.

Security and privacy

Your immigration status is confidential information. The eVisa system has several levels of protection, but you should still be careful.

System protections:

• Two-factor authentication required
• End-to-end encryption for all data
• Access logs that show when and who has viewed your information
• Automatic notifications about suspicious activity
• Temporary lockout after failed login attempts

The sharing codes only display the necessary information. The employer only sees the right to work and any time restrictions. You don’t see travel history, full address, or other irrelevant permissions.

Precautions you should take:

Never share your UKVI account password with anyone. Not with exchange agents, consultants, or friends who “help” with the paperwork. Access to the account allows you to make important changes.

Sharing codes should be sent directly to those who need them, not posted on social media or in public groups. Even if they expire after 90 days, they can be misused during that period.

Set up email and SMS notifications for all account activity. This way you’ll know immediately if someone is trying to access your account without authorization.

Comparison with systems in other countries

The UK is not the first to adopt digital visas. Australia implemented a similar system in 2015. New Zealand followed in 2019. Canada is in a phased transition.

Advantages of the British model:

• A cleaner and more intuitive interface than previous versions from other countries.
• Deep integration with government systems from the outset
• Support for multiple languages ​​(more than 50 languages)
• Well-developed and stable mobile application

Comparative disadvantages:

• Less flexible than the Australian upgrade system
• It does not allow the uploading of supplementary documents, such as those from New Zealand.
• Total dependence on technology with no option for physical backup

Visa processes vary significantly between countries. Each destination has its own specific requirements that international students need to understand.

Transition from the old BRPs

If you had a valid BRP before December 31, 2024, you don’t need to do anything immediately. Your visa remains valid until its original expiration date. However, you must create an e-Visa account within 18 months.

Deadline extended until June 30, 2026:

Those whose BRP expires on December 31, 2024, have until mid-2026 to set up an eVisa. After that date, they will not be able to prove their immigration status without the digital account.

For international travel, there is a transition period. Until June 1, 2025, you can still use your expired BRP to re-enter the country, provided the visa itself is valid. After that date, only the electronic visa will be valid.

Maintain the previous BRP:

Do not discard your physical card even after creating an electronic visa. Keep it as historical evidence. It may be useful for future applications, as proof of residency time, or for legal matters.

The BRP number is sometimes requested on forms or in administrative processes. Having the physical card makes it easier to quickly find that information.

Preparation before traveling

Set up your eVisa account while you’re still in your home country. Don’t wait until you arrive in the UK to resolve this issue. Technical problems are much more stressful when you’re already away from home.

Pre-trip checklist:

• UKVI account created and verified
• Correct passport linked to the system
• Confirmation email saved (digital and printed)
• Support numbers saved on your mobile phone
• Screenshot of eVisa saved in the cloud

Mastering the practical aspects before your trip is an essential part of planning. Visa and documentation issues take priority over other preparations.

Try generating a code to share a few days before boarding. Confirm that everything is working correctly. If there are any problems, you’ll have time to resolve them without missing a flight or jeopardizing your arrival.

First few days after arrival

Your first few weeks in the UK will require you to use your eVisa for a variety of practical situations. Be prepared to explain the system to people who are not yet familiar with it.

Situations in which you will need an electronic visa immediately:

The bank account will be opened within the first week. British banks require proof of identity and immigration status. You will be generated a specific interchange code for financial verification.

Some banks are still training their staff on the new system. Make a printed copy of the official government guide explaining e-visas. Show them where to find information on the gov.uk website in case the person in charge doesn’t know how to check.

Registration with the NHS (National Health Service) also requires proof. You’ve already paid the immigration health surcharge, but you need to register at a local clinic. Your e-visa confirms your entitlement to services.

Configuration of essential services:

Mobile phone contracts require identity verification and proof of address. Operators use your e-Visa to confirm you are legally in the country. Some accept a sharing code, while others prefer to see your UKVI account screen.

Renting accommodation off-campus requires landlords to verify your right to reside in the UK. This is mandatory by law. They use the code generated by your e-visa in the government’s right to rent system.

Prepare yourself psychologically for these adaptations; it is part of the settling-in process in any new country.

Renovations and expansions

When your current visa is about to expire, you apply for an extension through the online system. The electronic visa is automatically updated after approval.

Simplified process:

You do not receive any new documents or an electronic visa number. The existing digital record is simply updated with a new expiration date and updated terms and conditions.

During the extension processing period, your status will show “decision pending.” You can legally remain in the UK during this time, even if your previous visa has expired.

The sharing codes generated during processing clearly indicate that a decision is pending. Employers and other verifiers see this information and generally accept it as proof of temporary legal status.

Advantages of the digital system

The switch to the electronic visa brought practical advantages that offset the initial learning curve.

Facilities that did not exist with BRP:

• Without risk of losing the physical document
• Instant information update
• Access from anywhere with internet access
• Automatic integration with services
• Faster third-party verification

Previously, losing BRP involved a complex replacement process. It cost £56 and took weeks. During that time, you had problems traveling, working, or accessing services.

Now, if you lose access to your account, recovery takes only a few minutes via email or your registered phone number. Your immigration data is never at risk of being physically lost.

Read Also: How to Move to the UK – Visa Options & Immigration Routes

Common mistakes you should avoid

Even with a simpler system, students make mistakes that cause unnecessary problems. Knowing these mistakes helps you avoid them.

Error 1: Not testing the system before traveling

Many students create a UKVI account and don’t log in again until they need to. They arrive in the UK and discover they’ve forgotten their password. Or they can no longer access their registered email address. Or two-factor authentication isn’t working.

Solution: Access your account weekly for the two months prior to your trip. Generate test sharing codes. Confirm that notifications are being received correctly. Familiarize yourself with the entire interface.

Error 2: Using public WiFi to access UKVI account

Airport, café, and hotel networks are not secure. Someone within the same network could intercept your credentials. This puts all your immigration documents at risk.

Solution: Use only mobile data or trusted private networks. If you urgently need a public Wi-Fi connection, use a VPN before accessing any sensitive information.

Error 3: Sharing codes publicly

Students are posting screenshots with codes to share in WhatsApp groups or on social media. They think they’re just showing how it works, but they’re exposing personal data.

Solution: Never share code publicly. Only send it directly to the person or company that needs to verify it. Even though they expire after 90 days, active codes reveal confidential information.

Error 4: Ignoring system notifications

UKVI sends important alerts about changes in their status, necessary updates, or detected problems. Students often ignore these emails, thinking they are spam.

Solution: Set up high-priority notifications for emails from noreply@homeoffice.gov.uk. Read any official communication immediately. Many problems can be avoided if you respond promptly.

Error 5: Contact information is not updated

You changed your accommodation, changed your phone number, or created a new email address. You forgot to update your UKVI account. When the Home Office needs to contact you to renew or verify it, the messages don’t arrive.

Solution: Whenever you change your contact information, update the system within 48 hours. Configure the forwarding of old emails for at least 6 months after the change.