How to apply for a UK eVisa

The UK is moving from physical immigration documents to digital records. Wondering if you need to apply for an eVisa?

This guide explains the details, whether you’re planning a move, already living in the UK, or have an expired biometric residence permit (BRP). Find out how to prove your immigration status and travel with confidence.

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What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of who you are, your immigration status and its conditions.¹ For example, it shows the type of visa you have and whether you’re allowed to work or study in the UK.

An eVisa is digitally linked to your passport via your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.²

Keep in mind, an eVisa isn’t the same as a visa. A visa gives you permission to stay in the UK while an eVisa is simply proof of that permission.

Also, don’t confuse an eVisa with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). An ETA lets people visit the UK for up to 6 months, usually for tourism or visiting family. It’s not for those who want to live or work in the UK.³

eVisa vs. UK BRP: What’s changed?

Biometric residence permits (BRPs) are physical documents that were used to prove immigration status. You might have one if you were given permission to live in the UK on or before 31 October 2024. The UK has now replaced BRPs with eVisas, which are digital rather than physical.⁵

All BRPs are now expired. But that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your right to stay in the UK, it just means you can’t use your BRP to prove it.⁴

But don’t throw your expired BRP away. You can use it up to 18 months after expiry to do things like:

• create a UKVI account to access your new eVisa
• apply to stay longer in the UK
• get a share code to prove your rights in the UK

Planning a trip abroad? From 1 June 2025, you can no longer travel on an expired BRP. Make sure you have access to an eVisa before going anywhere.⁶

eVisa vs. UK passport: Key differences for travel

A UK passport is an identity document that proves you’re a British or Irish national. It gives you the right to enter and leave the UK freely, and proves you have full citizenship rights.

An eVisa proves you have permission to stay in the UK if you’re not a UK citizen. It’s linked to your non-UK passport, allowing you to travel to and from the country.

Can I travel to my home country with just my eVisa?

No, an eVisa doesn’t replace your passport.** Always take your passport when travelling**, and make sure it matches the one linked to your eVisa.⁷

Are there benefits to having an eVisa?

eVisas are becoming the new global standard, with countries like Australia, the US and Canada already using them.

The UK government says eVisas are safer, faster, and more convenient because they:

• Can’t be lost or stolen
• Don’t need to be posted or collected
• Let you update your details online
• Make it easier to prove your status to employers, landlords and services like the NHS⁸

Who needs an eVisa?

You generally need an eVisa if you:

• are not a UK citizen and have permission to stay more than 6 months
• are coming for less than 6 months on certain types of work or study visas
• have an expired biometric residence permit (BRP)

Got a visa application in the works? You’ll be told if an eVisa applies to you when you get the final visa decision.

You don’t need an eVisa if you:

• are a British or Irish national
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• are exempt from immigration control, for example if you’re a diplomat
• are visiting the UK on an ETA or standard visitor visa
• have permission to stay in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man²

Do I need to apply for an eVisa if I have indefinite leave to remain?

Not necessarily, but it’s encouraged. At the moment you can continue using a physical document (like a stamp or sticker in your passport) to prove your settled status when travelling or renting.²

However an eVisa can make it easier to prove your rights in the UK, especially if you’re applying for a job or getting a new passport.⁹

If you want digital proof of your indefinite leave to remain, make a No Time Limit (NTL) eVisa application. You’ll need:

• the document that shows your indefinite leave to remain
• the passport or travel document you used when you last came to the UK ²

What if I have dual nationality?

If you have citizenship with more than one country, make sure your eVisa is linked to the passport you plan to travel with. You can add more than one passport in your UKVI account.¹⁰

You don’t need an eVisa if you’re British or Irish — even if you have another nationality. Just travel on your UK passport to leave and enter the country.⁷

What information does an eVisa display?

Your UK eVisa will show:

• your name, date of birth and nationality
• your immigration status, such as skilled worker visa or indefinite right to remain
• the conditions of your stay in the UK, like whether you can work or study

Your UKVI account holds additional information, including things like:¹¹

• your phone number and email address
• your home and mailing address
• which passports are linked to your eVisa
• an up-to-date photo of you

Who can see my eVisa?

You can view your eVisa at any time. You can also share proof of your immigration status by logging in to your UKVI account and generating a ‘share code’. For example, this is useful when travelling, applying for a job, renting a home or claiming benefits.

You’ll need to give the share code along with your date of birth to the person or organisation checking your status. You’ll be told exactly what information they’ll be able to see.

You can create a new share code at any time. They last for 90 days and can be used as many times as needed before they expire.¹²

How to apply for an eVisa

You can make an eVisa application online through the UK government’s website. It doesn’t cost anything.

Step 1: Create or log in to your UKVI account

You should already have a UKVI account if you:

• created one when applying for a visa
• confirmed your identity with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app
• applied to the EU Settlement Scheme ²

Not sure? Try logging in to view your eVisa.

To create a UKVI account, you’ll need either:

• a valid passport and your visa application number - also called a Unique Application Number (UAN) or Global Web Form (GWF) number
• a valid passport and your BRP number
• your expired BRP card

You’ll also be asked for your date of birth, email address and phone number. ²

Step 2: Verify your identity

Log in to your UKVI account and start the eVisa application process.

If you have a smartphone, you can install the UK Immigration: ID Check app to confirm your identity. It will ask you to:

• link to your UKVI account using a QR code or connection code
• take a photo of your passport or expired BRP
• scan the biometric chip inside your ID document
• take a biometric scan of your face
• take a photo of yourself (use a well-lit, plain background)

If you can’t access the app or don’t have a valid passport or expired BRP, visit the UKVI website to find another way to verify your identity.

Step 3: Link your visa or immigration status

Once you’ve created your account, you’ll be asked to link your visa or immigration status to your passport.

Make sure you’ve completed the sections asking you to confirm your:

• Identity
• BRP number
• Contact preferences
• Account security questions

Next, read the declaration, confirm you’ve read it and select “Submit”. You’ll get an email when your eVisa is ready to view, which can take a few days in some cases.

How much does a UK eVisa cost?

It’s free to apply for a UK eVisa.¹⁰ Keep in mind, an eVisa is only proof of permission to stay in the UK. If you don’t have permission yet, you might need to apply for a visa and that usually comes with a fee.

Countries you can visit with a UK eVisa

Some countries make it easier for UK residents to enter. Places that previously allowed entry with a BRP are expected to offer similar access to people with a UK eVisa. That said, guidance is still evolving so always check with the country’s immigration authority before you travel.

Here are examples of countries that generally have special entry arrangements for UK residents: ¹³

Visa-Free Entry

Country	Region	Duration
Albania	Europe	Up to 90 days
Montenegro	Europe	Up to 30 days
Georgia	Europe	90 days/180-day
North Macedonia	Europe	Up to 15 days
Gibraltar	Europe	Up to 21 days
Panama	Americas/Caribbean	Up to 90 days
Jamaica	Americas/Caribbean	Up to 30 days
Dominican Republic	Americas/Caribbean	Up to 90 days
Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten	Americas/Caribbean	Up to 30 days
Anguilla	Americas/Caribbean	Up to 90 days
Malaysia	Asia	Up to 90 days
Seychelles	Africa	Up to 30 days
Fiji	Oceania	Up to 120 days

Visa-on-Arrival

Country	Region	Duration
Indonesia	Asia	Up to 30 days
Maldives	Asia	Up to 30 days
Bahrain	Asia	14 days

eVisa

Country	Region	Duration
Sri Lanka	Asia	30 days
Taiwan	Asia	Up to 30 days
Kenya	Africa	Up to 90 days

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

Country	Region	Duration
Canada	Americas/Caribbean	Varies
Australia	Oceania	Varies

Does an eVisa include access to the Schengen Zone?

No, a UK eVisa doesn’t give you special access to the Schengen Zone.

The Schengen Zone is a group of 29 European countries that have removed passport and border checks between each other.

Citizens of some countries — including the UK — are allowed visa-free travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Otherwise, you usually need to apply for a Schengen visa.¹⁴

Check the official European Union website to see if you need a Schengen visa.¹⁵

If you don’t qualify for visa-free travel, it’s worth looking for the easiest Schengen visa to apply for.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Gov.uk - what an eVisa is
2. Gov.uk - setting up a UKVI account and eVisa information
3. Gov.uk - ETA information
4. Gov.uk - biometric residence permit replacement information
5. Gov.uk - eVisa rollout
6. Parliament.uk - from 1 June 2025, you can no longer travel on an expired BRP
7. Gov.uk - travelling with an eVisa
8. Home Office - eVisa benefits
9. Gov.uk - indefinite leave to remain
10. Citizens Advice - eVisa info and passport rights
11. https://www.gov.uk/evisa/update-ukvi-account - details on UKVI account
12. Gov.uk -eVisa share code
13. Savory and Partners - UK visa-free countries
14. AXA Schengen - visa-free Schengen Area travel
15. European Union Home Affairs - countries that require a Schengen visa

Sources last checked on 03-Aug-2025