The UK’s shift from physical immigration documents to digital eVisas has changed how many migrants prove their right to live, work, study and travel to the UK. For most people, the system works as intended. Your immigration status is held online, linked to your UKVI account and connected to your passport or travel document.
When something goes wrong, however, the consequences can be serious. A passport may not be linked correctly. A UKVI account may show the wrong expiry date. A traveller may not be able to access their account at the airport. A carrier may be unable to confirm permission to travel. In the worst cases, people can face delays, refused boarding or urgent attempts to fix a digital status issue from overseas.
Getting support from a solicitor for british citizenship or immigration specialist when your eVisa shows an error or your status is in dispute can prevent a manageable problem from becoming a crisis.
What Is the UK eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s UK immigration status. It shows the type of permission held, the expiry date and the conditions attached to that permission, such as the right to work, rent or access services.
The eVisa is accessed through a UKVI account. Instead of relying on a physical Biometric Residence Permit, Biometric Residence Card or passport vignette as the main proof of status, many migrants now prove their status online.
When you need to prove your status to a third party, such as an employer, landlord or carrier, you can usually generate a share code through the relevant online service. The person checking your status then uses that code with your date of birth to view the information they are allowed to see.
The move to digital status has been underway for several years. The news piece on the UK government postponing full implementation of the eVisa system gives context on how the transition unfolded, and the concerns raised about the risks of the new eVisa scheme for immigrant rights remain relevant when looking at the practical impact of digital-only status.
The Transition From Physical BRPs to Digital Status
The replacement of BRPs with eVisas has been one of the biggest operational changes in UK immigration administration in recent years. Most BRPs expired on 31 December 2024, even where the person’s underlying immigration permission continued beyond that date. The expiry of the card did not necessarily mean the person’s visa had expired, but it did mean they needed access to their eVisa to prove their status.
Expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs were accepted for international travel only during a temporary transitional period, which ended on 1 June 2025. From 2 June 2025, travellers generally needed to rely on their eVisa, current passport or travel document, and any additional digital check requested by the carrier.
Some people with older indefinite leave evidence, such as a stamp or vignette in an old passport, may need to make a No Time Limit application to access digital proof of their status. Others with expired BRPs can use those documents to create or access a UKVI account.
The challenges this digitalisation has created are well documented. Account errors, passport mismatches and technical problems can all cause real disruption if they are not resolved before travel.
Common eVisa Problems at the Border
Border and carrier issues linked to eVisas usually fall into a few recognisable categories.
- Your name, date of birth or passport number in your UKVI account does not match the passport you are travelling with.
- You have renewed your passport but have not updated your UKVI account.
- Your eVisa shows the correct status, but the carrier cannot verify it at check-in.
- Your eVisa shows the wrong expiry date after an extension, change of status or settlement decision.
- You cannot access your UKVI account because you no longer have the registered email address or phone number.
- You can view your status, but the share code service produces an error.
- Your status appears correctly to you but not to an employer, landlord or carrier using the checking service.
- You are relying on an expired BRP or BRC rather than your eVisa.
- Your UKVI account is linked to an old travel document, national identity card or passport.
The recent changes in UK immigration rules and the continuing development of digital immigration infrastructure mean that not every issue is user error. Some problems are technical, but they still need to be addressed before travel.
The Share Code System: What It Is and How to Use It
The share code system allows you to prove your immigration status without giving someone access to your full UKVI account. Different share code routes may apply depending on whether you are proving your right to work, rent, access services or travel.
| Feature | Detail | What to Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| How to generate a share code | Log in to your UKVI account and choose the correct proof route | Make sure you choose the right code for the purpose |
| How long it lasts | Usually 90 days from generation | Generate a fresh code before travel or an important check |
| Who can use it | Employers, landlords, carriers or other approved checkers depending on purpose | The checker usually also needs your date of birth |
| What it shows | Your current status and relevant conditions | Check the details before sharing |
| What to do if it shows an error | Report the issue to UKVI and seek advice where needed | Do not travel if you know the record is wrong |
| Employer use | Employers should use the Home Office online right to work checking service where required | The Employer Checking Service is mainly for pending cases or where online proof is unavailable |
A share code is valid for 90 days and can be used more than once before it expires. However, for important checks, it is sensible to generate a fresh code so the information is current and easy for the checker to use.
How to Check Your eVisa Before You Travel
The most important step before any international trip is to log in to your UKVI account and check your details. Do this several weeks before travel where possible, not at the airport.
Check that:
- Your full name is correct.
- Your date of birth is correct.
- Your passport or travel document number matches the document you will use to travel.
- Your immigration status is correct.
- Your expiry date is correct.
- Your conditions of stay are correct.
- You can generate the relevant share code.
- You can access the account using your current phone number and email address.
If you have renewed your passport, changed your name, changed nationality or changed contact details, update your UKVI account before travelling. Travelling on a new passport that is not linked to your eVisa is one of the most avoidable causes of disruption.
The biometrics appointments and document submission guide gives wider context on how identity and document records fit into the immigration process.
What to Do If Your eVisa Shows Incorrectly or Not at All
If your eVisa is wrong, do not wait and hope the issue fixes itself. You should report the error through the appropriate UKVI service as soon as possible. This is particularly important where the error affects your name, date of birth, passport number, immigration category, expiry date or right to work.
If the issue is a simple data error, it may be resolved through the technical support process. If the issue reflects a deeper problem with how your leave has been recorded, you may need formal legal correspondence or, in serious cases, an appeal or judicial review.
The news piece on what is a human rights appeal in immigration law is relevant where an immigration decision or status error affects a person’s ability to remain in the UK or maintain family life.
Employers and Right to Work Checks
If you are an employer, the eVisa system affects how you carry out right to work checks for staff. For workers who prove status online, the correct process is to use the Home Office online checking service with the share code provided by the worker.
You should not rely only on an expired BRP. You should also not accept a share code without completing the online check and keeping the required evidence of that check.
Where an employee cannot generate a share code because of a pending application, appeal or technical issue, the Employer Checking Service may be needed. Employers should use the correct route and keep a clear record of the check carried out.
As a sponsor licence holder, your right to work processes need to be current and properly documented. Failures in this area are regularly reviewed during compliance visits. The guide to sponsor duties and compliance covers what is expected. If your licence has been sponsor licence revoked, understanding the eVisa implications for sponsored workers is urgent and should be handled with specialist advice.
For employers working with an employer sponsor license solicitor on compliance matters, the right to work checking process for eVisa holders should be included in your internal systems and staff training.
Specific Groups Who Need to Be Particularly Careful
Some groups are more likely to encounter eVisa problems than others. If you fall into any of these categories, check your account carefully before travel.
People who moved from a BRP to an eVisa should verify that their leave was correctly recorded in the digital system. Some individuals have found discrepancies between the physical document they held and what appeared online.
People who have held several visa categories over time, such as switching from a student visa to a Skilled Worker visa, should check that the current permission is showing clearly.
People with Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme should make sure their current passport or national identity document is linked to their UKVI account.
Frontier Workers who travel regularly between the UK and the EU should check that their digital status is accessible before each trip.
British Nationals (Overseas) who have entered through the BNO visa route and those moving towards Indefinite Leave to Remain should confirm that any new grant or settlement decision is reflected correctly.
Workers on the skilled worker visa solicitor route who have recently renewed their visa, changed employer or updated their passport should check that the new details are linked before travelling.
The ETA and the eVisa: How They Differ
The eVisa and the Electronic Travel Authorisation are not the same thing.
An eVisa is digital evidence of immigration permission for someone who already has UK status, such as a visa, settled status or other permission to enter or stay.
An ETA is digital permission to travel for eligible non-visa nationals coming to the UK for short visits or certain other short stays. It is not a visa, and it does not replace a visa where a visa is required.
If you already hold valid UK immigration permission shown by an eVisa, you do not normally need an ETA for travel linked to that permission. If you are a short-term visitor from an ETA-eligible country and do not hold UK immigration permission, you may need an ETA before travelling.
The full background is covered in the news piece on UK expanding the ETA scheme to European visitors.
Implications for Business Owners and Visa Planners
If you are planning an immigration route involving the self sponsorship visa uk model or the expansion worker visa route, the eVisa system matters from day one. Once your permission is granted, your status will usually be digital, so your UKVI account, passport details and contact information need to be correct.
The updated immigration fees from April 2025 remain useful background, but applicants should check current Home Office fees before making any application or account update that carries a charge.
The broader immigration landscape and what the white paper signals for the future also shows that digital immigration status is not a temporary direction of travel. Being comfortable with the system, and knowing what to do when it goes wrong, is now part of managing your UK immigration position.
Frequently Asked Questions
My passport has been renewed since I got my eVisa. What do I need to do?
You need to update your UKVI account with your new passport or travel document details before you travel. If your current passport is not linked to your eVisa, a carrier may not be able to confirm your status.
I cannot access my UKVI account because I no longer have the email address I registered with. What should I do?
Contact UKVI support as soon as possible. You may need to prove your identity and update your sign-in details. Do not leave this until shortly before travel, as account recovery can take time.
My eVisa says my leave expired before the actual expiry date on my visa. What does this mean?
It could be a recording error, or it could indicate a more serious issue with your status. Report the error and seek immigration advice before travelling. Do not assume the problem will resolve itself.
Can a carrier refuse me boarding if my eVisa cannot be verified?
Yes. Carriers are expected to check that passengers have the required permission to travel to the UK. If they cannot verify your status, they may refuse boarding even if you believe your status is valid.
How long does UKVI take to fix eVisa errors?
It varies. Some technical errors can be corrected quickly, while more complex issues can take longer. If you have urgent travel, explain the urgency when reporting the issue and seek immigration advice in parallel.
Does my share code expire?
Yes. A share code is usually valid for 90 days from the date it is generated. You can generate a fresh code whenever needed.
Get Help Before Your Next Trip
eVisa problems are not always easy to resolve alone, and the consequences of getting it wrong at the border can be serious. Whether you have found an error in your account, lost access to your UKVI profile, or are unsure whether your digital status will be recognised when you travel, our team at Garth Coates Solicitors can help you work through the issue quickly and effectively.
We also advise on the full range of UK immigration matters, from initial visa applications and sponsor licence queries through to settlement and citizenship planning.
Call us on +44 (0)20 7799 1600 or request a consultation and we will be in touch within two business hours.
