If you have been granted a UK visa recently, you may have noticed something different. There is no sticker in your passport. No physical card posted to your door. Instead, the UK Home Office now issues your immigration status as a digital record called an eVisa, and the only way to access it is through a UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know in 2026. What a UKVI account is, why you need one, how to set it up from scratch, how to link your eVisa, how to generate a share code, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Whether you are a worker, student, spouse, or long-term resident, this guide applies to you.
What is a UKVI account?
A UKVI account is a free online account provided by the UK Home Office. It is the place where your digital immigration status lives. Once your visa is approved, your permission to be in the UK is stored digitally and linked to your account. You use this account to view your visa details, update your personal information, and generate share codes to prove your status to employers, landlords, and others.
Before 2025, most visa holders received a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card or a visa vignette (sticker) placed inside their passport. From 25 February 2026, the UK immigration system became fully digital. Physical documents are no longer issued and your eVisa is the only valid proof of your immigration status.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is simply a digital record of your immigration status. It replaces the old BRP card and visa vignette sticker. It shows:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your visa type (for example, Skilled Worker, Student, Spouse)
- Your visa start and expiry date
- The conditions of your stay (whether you can work, study, access public funds etc.)
Your eVisa is linked to your passport number. When you travel, airlines and border officers check your status digitally by scanning your passport. You do not need to show any physical document, but your passport must match the one linked to your UKVI account.
You can read our article on:
UK eVisa system explained: How it works in 2026
Who needs a UKVI account?
You need a UKVI account if you:
- Have been granted any UK visa
- Have settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK
- Previously held a BRP or BRC (Biometric Residence Card) and need to transition to the digital system
- Are a dependant joining someone in the UK (each person needs their own account, including children)
You do not need a UKVI account if you are a British or Irish citizen. Those groups do not hold an eVisa.
What you need before you start
Before you create your account, make sure you have the following ready:
- A valid email address (use one you check regularly and will keep long term)
- A mobile phone number (you will need this to receive a verification code every time you log in)
- Your passport or travel document
- Your visa application number, which is either a Global Web Form (GWF) number or Unique Application Number (UAN). You can find this on the email you received when you submitted your visa application.
- A smartphone with the UK Immigration: ID Check app installed (available on iOS and Android)
If you previously had a BRP card and it has not expired, you can also use the BRP number instead of your passport to start the process.
How to create your UKVI account
Go to the official GOV.UK page
Go to gov.uk and search for “set up a UKVI account” or go directly to the eVisa section of the GOV.UK website. Always use the official GOV.UK website. Do not use any third-party websites that charge a fee for this, as setting up your UKVI account is completely free.
Select “Create a UKVI account”
On the page, select the option to create a new account. You will be asked a few short questions to confirm your situation, such as whether you are creating the account for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
Enter your email address and phone number
Enter an email address and phone number that you will be able to access every time you want to log in. These are your login credentials. UKVI will send a verification code to your phone each time you sign in, so make sure the number is one you use regularly.
Enter your personal details
You will be asked to enter your full name, date of birth, and nationality. Make sure these match exactly what is written in your passport. Even a small difference, such as a missing middle name or a different spelling, can cause problems later.
Enter your visa application number or document details
Enter either your GWF or UAN application number along with your passport details. If you are using a BRP, enter the BRP number and its expiry date. Double-check these carefully before continuing.
Confirm your identity using the ID Check app
After submitting your details, you will be directed to download the UK Immigration: ID Check app on your smartphone. Open the app and follow the instructions to scan your document (passport or BRP). The app uses your phone camera to read the chip inside your document and confirm your identity. Once this is done, you will be redirected back to the online form.
Complete the remaining sections
You will then be asked to fill in a few more sections including your location, contact preferences, and security questions. These security questions are important as UKVI will use them to verify your identity if you ever need to call them for help.
Submit and wait for confirmation
Once you have completed all sections, submit the form. You will receive an email from UKVI confirming that your account has been created and your eVisa has been linked. In most cases this is instant or takes a few hours, but it can occasionally take a few days.
How to log in to your UKVI account
After your account is set up, you can log in at any time by visiting the GOV.UK eVisa page and selecting “Sign in to your UKVI account.” You will need your email address and the verification code sent to your mobile phone each time you log in. There is no fixed password, the phone verification code is used instead.
Once logged in, you will be able to see your visa details, update your personal information, and generate a share code.
How to generate a share code
A share code is a unique code you generate from your UKVI account that allows a third party (employer, landlord, university, bank) to check your immigration status. Here is how to get one:
Log in to your UKVI account and select “View and prove your immigration status.” Choose the reason you need the share code (for example, to prove your right to work, or right to rent). The system will generate a 9-character code made up of letters and numbers. Share this code along with your date of birth with whoever is asking.
Each share code is valid for 90 days and can only be used a limited number of times. If you need a new one, you can generate a fresh share code whenever you need it. You do not need to remember a single permanent code.
Read our article:
How to link a new passport to your eVisa
This is one of the most important steps that many people miss. Your eVisa is tied to the passport number used when you set up your account. If you renew your passport, get a new one, or change your name, you must update your UKVI account to link the new passport. If you do not, airlines may refuse to let you board a flight and you could face delays at the border.
To update your passport details, log in to your UKVI account and go to “Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details.” Follow the steps to add your new passport. Allow several working days for the update to be processed before you travel.
Important: if you are outside the UK and renew your passport, you will not be able to update your travel document through the online service. In this situation, you should apply for a temporary visa to re-enter the UK, then update your account once you are back.
Important deadlines you need to know in 2026
If you previously held a BRP card, you should have already created your UKVI account and linked it to your passport. The deadline for most former BRP holders is 30 June 2026. After this date, the process becomes more complex and may require in-person verification. Do not leave this until the last minute.
Travelling with your eVisa
When you travel to the UK, you do not need to print anything or carry any physical immigration document. You simply present your passport at the border and the system checks your eVisa status digitally.
However, before every trip you should log in to your UKVI account and confirm that:
- Your passport details are up to date
- Your visa expiry date is correct
- Your personal details (name, date of birth) match your passport exactly
If anything looks wrong, contact UKVI before you travel, not at the airport.
What to do if you have problems
If you cannot access your account, cannot link your eVisa, or your details appear incorrect, here is what to do:
Contact UKVI by webchat via the GOV.UK website. This is usually the fastest way to get help. If your visa details are wrong (for example, a wrong expiry date), there is an eVisa correction form available on GOV.UK which you can submit.
If you created your account using a BRP and your details are not matching, make sure your BRP number and expiry date were entered exactly as they appear on the card. Even a single digit wrong will cause the system to fail.
How LawSentis can help you
Navigating the UK immigration system on your own is not always straightforward, especially with a system that changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. At LawSentis, we are a UK-based regulated immigration firm authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. This is the highest level of regulation for immigration advisers in the UK.
We help individuals, families, and businesses with all aspects of UK immigration, including visa applications, eVisa setup support, appeals, and complex immigration cases. If you are unsure about your immigration status, struggling to access your eVisa, or want expert guidance on any UK visa matter, our team is here to help.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to create a UKVI account?
Yes, completely free. You do not pay anything to create a UKVI account or access your eVisa. Be careful of third-party websites that charge a fee for this service as they are not official and are not needed.
I did not receive an email from UKVI after my visa was approved. What should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, log in to the GOV.UK eVisa page and try to create an account using your application number and passport details. If that does not work, contact UKVI directly through the GOV.UK webchat service.
My BRP card expired on 31 December 2024 but my visa is still valid. Am I okay?
Yes. BRP cards were issued with an end date of 31 December 2024 even if your actual immigration permission continues beyond that date. The card expiry date is not the same as your visa expiry date. You need to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa to confirm your actual visa expiry date and use your status going forward.
Can I still travel without setting up my UKVI account?
You should not travel without linking your eVisa to your UKVI account. From 25 February 2026, airlines are required to verify your immigration status digitally. If your eVisa is not linked to the passport you are travelling with, you could be denied boarding.
I renewed my passport but forgot to update my UKVI account. Can I still travel?
This is a serious situation. Airlines may deny you boarding if your eVisa is linked to your old passport number. You should update your UKVI account as soon as possible before any planned travel. If you are already outside the UK, contact UKVI immediately for guidance as the normal online update process does not work from abroad.
Do my children need their own UKVI accounts?
Yes. If your children hold UK visas, they each need their own UKVI account to access their eVisas. You can create and manage accounts on behalf of your children if they are under 18. Use your own phone number and email when creating the account on their behalf, but update the account to their own contact details when they are old enough to manage it themselves.
What is a share code and how long does it last?
A share code is a 9-character code generated from your UKVI account that proves your immigration status to a third party such as an employer or landlord. Each share code is valid for 90 days. You can generate a new one whenever you need one.
Can I have two UKVI accounts?
No. You should only ever have one UKVI account. If you accidentally created a second one, contact UKVI via webchat to resolve it.
What happens to my eVisa if I get a new visa or extend my stay?
Your eVisa will be updated automatically when a new decision is made on your immigration status. Log in to your UKVI account after receiving any visa decision to confirm that the updated details are showing correctly.
I cannot download the ID Check app because my phone is too old. What do I do?
If you do not have access to a compatible smartphone, there are alternative ways to verify your identity. Contact UKVI via webchat and they can guide you through other identity confirmation options.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules can change. For advice specific to your situation, please contact us.