UKVI Account: Access Your eVisa Free, Step by Step

To create a UKVI account and access your eVisa:

1. Go to the GOV.UK "get access to your eVisa" page.
2. Enter your email address and phone number.
3. Enter your passport and BRP number.
4. Confirm your identity with the ID Check app.
5. Sign in to view your eVisa and status.

It is free. You need a UKVI account because your eVisa — the digital record of your immigration status — can only be viewed online.

Key Facts at a Glance

Quick Overview

✅ A UKVI account is free to set up — GOV.UK never charges for it
✅ Your eVisa replaces the old BRP card — it is your official status
✅ You prove your status with a share code, not a physical card
⚠️ Most BRP cards expired on 31 December 2024 — the card itself is not valid ID now
⚠️ You cannot share one account for a family — each person needs their own
📌 You can still use an expired BRP to set up the account until 31 December 2026
📌 Add your passport to your account before you travel abroad
💡 Set up your account now, even if you have no travel planned — do not wait
💡 Save your sign-in email and phone number somewhere safe — you need them every time

You need a UKVI account to see your eVisa, prove your right to work or rent, and travel in and out of the UK. Setting one up is free and done online. This guide gives you the exact steps, the documents you need, and how to fix the most common problems. If you are still unsure what an eVisa is, read our guide to the UK eVisa first.

What you need to create a UKVI account

You need three things to start:

• An email address you can use each time you sign in
• A phone number you can use each time you sign in
• One identity document from the list below

For the identity document, you need one of these:

• A valid passport and your visa application number (GWF or UAN)
• A valid passport and your BRP number
• An expired BRP card (you can still use it until 31 December 2026)

You also need a smartphone to confirm your identity with an app. There is another way to do this if you do not have a passport or a smartphone.

How to create your UKVI account step by step

Follow these steps in order:

1. Go to the GOV.UK page "get access to your eVisa".
2. Enter the email address and phone number you want to use.
3. Enter one identity document — a passport with an application number, a passport with a BRP number, or an expired BRP.
4. Download the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app on your phone.
5. Use the app to scan your document and your face.
6. Finish creating the account and link it to your eVisa.

Once your account is linked, you can sign in any time to view your eVisa. Setting it up costs nothing.

How to access and prove your eVisa

Sign in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa online. To prove your status to an employer, landlord, or other service, you generate a share code.

A share code is a set of letters and numbers. You give it to the person who needs to check your status. Each share code is valid for 90 days. You can generate a new one any time.

For travel, add your current passport to your UKVI account before you leave the UK. Border Force checks your status digitally against your passport. Your travel rights with ILR do not change — but your passport must be linked.

Who needs a UKVI account

You need a UKVI account if you have:

• A UK visa of any length
• Settlement in the UK, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain
• A digital certificate showing right of abode or exemption

Partners and children who joined you as dependants each need their own account. You cannot hold their status inside your account. If your BRP has expired, you still need an account — the old BRP card is no longer valid proof on its own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Waiting until you need to travel
People leave the account setup until the week they fly. If the ID check has a problem, you can miss your flight. Set it up now, while there is no pressure.

❌ Using an email you will lose access to
Some people use a work email or an old address. You need this email every time you sign in. Use a personal email you will keep for years.

❌ Thinking the expired BRP card still proves your status
Most BRP cards expired on 31 December 2024. Showing the card alone is not valid proof now. You must use your eVisa and a share code instead.

❌ Assuming one account covers the whole family
Each family member has their own immigration status. Each person needs their own UKVI account, including children.

Expert Tips (What Most Guides Miss)

1. Link every new passport straight away. When you renew your passport, add it to your UKVI account the same day. Border Force checks your status against the passport you travel on.
2. Generate a fresh share code each time. Do not reuse an old code close to its 90-day limit. Generate a new one when an employer or landlord asks, so it does not expire mid-check.
3. Screenshot your account details. Save your UKVI account sign-in details and your BRP or passport number in a safe place. Recovery is slow if you lose them.
4. Set it up before applying for citizenship. You will need clear proof of your status when you apply for British citizenship. A working UKVI account makes that step simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a UKVI account free to set up?

Yes. GOV.UK states you do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa. Anyone asking you to pay a fee for the account itself is not official.

What do I need to create a UKVI account?

You need an email address, a phone number, and one identity document. The document can be a valid passport with your application number, a passport with your BRP number, or an expired BRP card.

Can I still use my BRP if it has expired?

You cannot use an expired BRP as everyday proof of status. But you can still use an expired BRP to set up your UKVI account until 31 December 2026.

How do I prove my immigration status without a card?

You sign in to your UKVI account and generate a share code. You give this code to the employer, landlord, or service. Each share code is valid for 90 days.

Do my children need their own UKVI accounts?

Yes. Every person with their own immigration status needs their own UKVI account. You cannot hold a child's status inside your account.

What if I do not have a passport or a smartphone?

There is an alternative way to confirm your identity if you do not have a valid passport, an expired BRP, or access to a smartphone. GOV.UK explains this option during the setup process.

How This Aligns With Official Guidance

The steps, documents, and fees in this guide come from GOV.UK's official eVisa and UKVI account pages. Immigration rules can change. Always check GOV.UK for the current process before you set up your account.

Official Resources

• GOV.UK eVisa — what an eVisa is and how to view it — gov.uk/evisa
• Get access to your eVisa — create your UKVI account — gov.uk/get-access-evisa
• View and prove your immigration status — generate a share code — gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

Preparing for the Life in the UK test too?

If you are on the road to settlement or citizenship, you will also need the Life in the UK test. Start with our free practice questions by chapter or a free mock test, and check your dates with our free immigration tools.

Set up your UKVI account today while there is no deadline pressure. Once it is done, save your sign-in details, add your passport, and you are ready for work checks, travel, and your next immigration application.

Last reviewed: August 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. Figures and steps correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest process before applying.