As of June and July 2025, the UK government is enforcing key changes in its transition from BRC and BRP to eVisa. The move to digital immigration status affects all visa holders, employers, and new applicants. This guide covers what an eVisa UK is, who needs one, what’s changing, and what actions must be taken.
An eVisa UK is a secure, digital record of a person’s immigration status, stored in a UKVI eVisa account. It replaces physical documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) and passport stickers (vignettes).
Instead of carrying a card or sticker, employees must now access their eVisa and prove their status online through their UKVI account eVisa. This digital status is used for travel, employment, and rental checks.
All employees who have permission to stay in the UK for longer than six months, granted in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, need to transition to eVisas. However, they cannot access an eVisa if they:
As of 2 June 2025, expired BRPs and BRCs can no longer be used for travel. UK carriers are now required to digitally check immigration status. Individuals without an active eVisa may be denied boarding. This marks the beginning of the full shift from physical BRPs to eVisas.
1. Create or access a UKVI account + eVisa
All sponsored workers must have a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Click to access eVisa.
2. Link the current passport to the UKVI eVisa account
3. Check that eVisa details are correct
This step ensures that UK eVisa checks at the border won’t fail due to mismatched data. Click to check eVisa.
4. Generate an eVisa share code
A share code is used by employers, landlords, and airlines. It’s required to prove immigration status and right to work. Click to get a share code.
5. Retain expired BRPs
Expired cards should be kept for 18 months as backup for future eVisa application UK processes.
Main applicants for the following visa routes will no longer receive a vignette (sticker) in their passport — they’ll only receive an eVisa:
This applies to applications made:
Note: Dependants and non-study/work visa applicants will continue to receive a vignette.
The action steps are the same as mentioned above: get access to your eVisa, check the details, get a share code to prove your immigration status.
Breakdown of steps for employers to stay compliant with eVisa updates:
An eVisa UK is a digital record of immigration status held in a UKVI eVisa account. It replaces physical proof like BRPs and passport stickers.
Log into the UKVI account eVisa portal. Navigate to the section for personal details and follow the instructions to update and verify the passport linked to your eVisa.
Visa applicants will be guided through eVisa application UK steps during their visa application process. Those converting from BRP to eVisa must log into their UKVI account and access their eVisa..
Access is provided via the UKVI eVisa portal after identity verification and linking of documents. The eVisa is granted automatically after.
The UK eVisa is a digital record. It is not a card or sticker. It is accessed and shown online through the UKVI eVisa account or by generating a share code.