UK eVisa Guide: Timeline, Travel Rules, and Proof Tips
Switching to the UK eVisa? Here’s your no-stress plan. In minutes, you’ll know the 2025 timeline, how to travel without hiccups, and exactly how to prove your rights during and after the switch.
This guide covers what the eVisa is, key dates, airline and border checks, proof methods that work, common errors to avoid, and smart prep for ILR and citizenship—plus a time-saving app to pass the Life in the UK Test on your first attempt.
UK eVisa at a Glance
What is a UK eVisa? It’s a digital record of your immigration status that replaces physical documents like biometric residence permits (BRPs). You access and share it online—no plastic card to carry.
BRP replacement: The Home Office is replacing BRPs with eVisas as part of a wider digitisation programme announced in April 2024.
Digital visa + online status: View and share your status in real time. Over 4 million visa holders have already created their accounts, with around 600,000 still to switch (Home Office).
Keep your expired BRP: You may still use an expired BRP for certain UK checks (like creating an account or proving rights) for up to 18 months after the printed expiry—but not for travel (GOV.UK). A temporary travel exception runs to 1 June 2025—details below.
Why the UK is going digital
Security: eVisas are linked to biometrics, reducing fraud and abuse of physical documents (Independent reporting).
Convenience: No need to wait for or collect a card; status is available anywhere, anytime (GOV.UK).
Real-time checks: Employers, landlords, banks, and carriers can verify your online status in one place, helping to prevent system abuse and speeding up journeys (analysis).
Timeline: What Happens and When
Use this 2025 timeline to plan backwards and avoid last‑minute stress.
17 April 2024 onward: UKVI began emailing/SMS-inviting BRP/BRC holders to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa (rollout announcement).
Now (2025): BRPs have expired and are being replaced by eVisas; keep the card for certain UK checks but do not use it for travel (GOV.UK).
Until 1 June 2025: Temporary concession: people with an underlying valid status and a BRP or EU Settlement Scheme BRC that expired on/after 31 Dec 2024 may use the expired document for international travel up to and including 1 June 2025 (Home Office).
From 2 June 2025: Expired BRPs/BRCs are no longer acceptable evidence for travel. Carriers and Border Force expect your passport to match your online eVisa record (Home Office).
Invitations and account setup windows
If you received a UKVI invitation, follow the link to create your GOV.UK account and access your eVisa. Didn’t get an invitation? Don’t panic—many people set up accounts proactively.
Check the email and mobile number associated with your last UK visa application for an invitation (official rollout).
Create or sign in to your GOV.UK account and complete identity checks. You may be asked to provide biometrics if prompted by the service (biometrics guidance).
Link your current passport to your eVisa record. If you renew your passport later, update your details before travel.
Verify your status displays correctly (conditions, expiry, route).
Save recovery details (secondary email/phone) so you don’t get locked out.
No invitation? You can still create an account via GOV.UK and match your records. If your details don’t match or your status isn’t found, use the service’s support options to escalate.
Transition checkpoints for students, workers, and ILR holders
Categories move at slightly different speeds. Plan these checkpoints:
Category Key actions When Student route Set up account; ensure course dates and work conditions display correctly; sync passport before travel breaks. Immediately; re-check before summer and winter travel. Skilled Worker Confirm sponsor details and work conditions; prepare employer share codes for right to work checks. Now; re-check on job change, BRP expiry, or passport renewal. ILR (settlement) Switch from BRP/vignette to eVisa for convenience; maintain a digital evidence pack for citizenship plans. As soon as possible; long before citizenship application. EUSS Ensure status (pre‑settled/settled) shows correctly; set reminders for automatic extensions if applicable. Now; re-check before any international travel.
Travel Rules with an eVisa
Airlines and Border Force verify your permission digitally. The single most important rule: your passport details must match your online eVisa profile.
Before departure: passport and profile sync
Do this every time you renew a passport or book a trip.
Check your eVisa profile to confirm your name, date of birth, and passport number match your current passport.
Update your details in your UKVI account if you renewed or changed your passport.
Match your booking to the exact name in your passport (and therefore your eVisa).
Carry sensible backups: proof of your visa grant email, expired BRP (for non-travel checks), and any supporting documents relevant to your route.
Leave time at check‑in in case the airline runs a manual verification.
At the border: what officials see
Border officers see your permission linked to your passport. If asked, you can show your online status on your phone. Bring supporting documents appropriate to your route (e.g., CAS for students, employer letter for workers) if you think they will help explain your circumstances.
Note for visitors: the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is expanding; eligible non‑Europeans started applying in late 2024 and need an ETA to travel from January 2025, with eligible Europeans from March–April 2025. An ETA costs £10 and covers multiple trips up to 2 years or until your passport expires (ETA details).
Proving Your Rights During and After the Switch
You’ll use UKVI’s online “view and prove” service to share your status for Right to Work, Right to Rent, banking, and other checks. You generate a time‑limited share code and give it to the employer or landlord who then views your status online.
Share codes that won’t fail
Create the correct code type (employer vs landlord). They open different views.
Check the expiry before sending. If it’s near expiry, generate a fresh code.
Make sure personal details match your current passport (name order, hyphens, diacritics).
Send the right date of birth alongside your code if requested.
If a check fails, regenerate the code and confirm the recipient is using the correct online portal. If your status looks wrong, raise it via your account support.
When printed documents still help
You don’t need to carry a BRP anymore, but printouts can speed things up when systems are slow.
Copy of your visa grant/decision email and key conditions.
Printout or screenshot of your online status summary and share code page.
Expired BRP (for certain UK checks, account setup, or applications)—but remember it’s not valid for travel except under the time‑limited concession to 1 June 2025 (GOV.UK) (Home Office).
Any route‑specific letters (e.g., employment letter, CAS, BRP lost report if relevant).
Avoiding Common Errors
These are the mistakes that cause the most stress—and how to fix them fast.
Identity mismatch (name order/diacritics) between passport and eVisa. Fix: update your UKVI account before travel or checks.
Outdated passport not linked to your eVisa. Fix: add your new passport details and re‑verify.
Wrong email on file so you miss invitations or recovery codes. Fix: add a secondary email/phone to your account.
Status not found when generating share codes. Fix: check route and personal details; escalate via support if details are correct.
Name changes and multiple identities
If you changed your name (marriage, deed poll) or have multiple spellings across documents, consolidate your UKVI records.
Update your passport first, then your UKVI account to match.
Upload evidence (marriage certificate, deed poll, national ID documents) if requested.
Keep both old and new name documents when travelling for the first time after the change.
Lost BRP vs lost access to your account
Lost BRP: If you already have an eVisa, you generally do not need a replacement card. Retain any reference numbers and keep a copy of the loss report for your records.
Lost account access: Use account recovery (email/SMS), secondary contact details, or identity re‑verification. If you still cannot access your status and you have urgent travel, contact UKVI support via your account portal as soon as possible.
Planning for ILR and Citizenship
Getting eVisa‑ready helps you stay organised for settlement and naturalisation. Tidy, consistent digital records reduce questions and delays in your next application.
Build a digital evidence pack now
Download copies/screenshots of your eVisa status page and grant decision.
Keep residence evidence (e.g., council tax, HMRC, bank statements) by year in a secure cloud folder.
Store share codes used and outcomes for right to work/rent checks (notes or PDFs).
Save travel history (flight confirmations, entry/exit stamps where available).
For ILR timing and documents, see our Indefinite Leave to Remain roadmap.
Life in the UK Test: prepare without overwhelm
Most ILR and citizenship routes require the Life in the UK Test. If you’re juggling eVisa tasks and work or study, focus your prep and avoid common pitfalls:
Start with our proven strategies for the Life in the UK Test.
Skip traps in 7 common mistakes.
Target the most challenging topics first.
When you’re close, read How to Get British Citizenship to see what comes next.
Product Spotlight: Life in the UK Test App
While you’re switching to a digital visa, keep your test prep simple. The Life in the UK Test App helps you pass first time without wasting money on retests.
Features that save time and money
Readiness Score: See exactly when you’re exam‑ready.
Smart learning assistant “Brit‑Bear”: Explains tricky questions, builds a focused study plan.
650+ question bank with detailed explanations: Covers the official handbook, optimised for mobile.
Realistic mock tests + Hard Mode: Simulate pressure so test day feels familiar.
Offline access: Study anywhere—on commutes, between visa tasks.
Get the app
Download on the App Store or Get it on Google Play. Most users reach passing performance in days—not weeks—thanks to focused practice and instant feedback.
Quick Reference: Do/Don’t List
Top 8 dos and don’ts for 2025
Do set up your UKVI account now—don’t wait for an invite.
Do link your current passport; don’t travel with mismatched details.
Do save recovery contacts; don’t risk losing account access.
Do generate the right share code type; don’t reuse expired codes.
Do carry sensible printouts; don’t rely on an expired BRP for travel beyond 1 June 2025.
Do re-check your status before every trip; don’t assume airlines have synced data.
Do keep a digital evidence pack for ILR/citizenship; don’t scramble at application time.
Do use the Life in the UK Test App for targeted prep; don’t over-read the handbook without practice.
FAQs
What is a UK eVisa and who needs one?
An eVisa is your digital immigration status replacing physical BRPs/BRCs. Most current visa holders are moving to eVisas; ILR vignette holders can still travel with their passport but are encouraged to switch.
Can I travel with an expired BRP?
Generally no. A time‑limited concession lets some people travel with an expired BRP/BRC until 1 June 2025 if their underlying status remains valid. From 2 June 2025, expired cards are not acceptable for travel.
How do I avoid airline check‑in issues with an eVisa?
Ensure your passport number and name exactly match your eVisa profile, update details after any passport change, and bring printouts of your decision email and status page as backup.
Do share codes expire?
Yes. Share codes are time‑limited and tied to the audience (employer or landlord). Always check the expiry date shown and generate a fresh code if needed.
What about visitors—do I need an ETA?
Eligible nationalities require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel as the scheme expands in 2024–2025. It costs £10 and is linked to your passport for multiple trips.
Ready to make progress toward settlement or citizenship? Streamline your prep with the Life in the UK Test App—App Store | Google Play. Then map your next steps with our ILR roadmap and citizenship guide.