The UK has shifted to a fully digital immigration system. As part of this change, visa holders are required to switch from BRP to eVisa, accessing their immigration status online instead of depending on a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
Confused about what this means? You’re not alone, and it’s simpler than it sounds once you know the steps. This guide walks you through creating your UKVI account, linking your status, and accessing your eVisa online, in plain English.
If you’d rather have someone handle it, Fast Holidays can help with account setup and sorting out any linking issues.
What is an eVisa?
- What it is: The digital record of your UK immigration status, showing your visa type, conditions, and how long you’re permitted to stay, stored securely online instead of on a physical card.
- How it works: It’s linked directly to your passport, so once connected, you can log in anytime to check your status and generate a share code to prove your right to work, rent, or travel.
- Digital immigration status: All the details a physical BRP used to show now live in your online record instead of on plastic.
- Who needs one: Most non-UK nationals who previously held a physical immigration document, including workers, students, family visa holders, and those with indefinite leave to remain. If you fall into one of these categories, you may need to apply for a UK eVisa to access your status online.
- How to apply UK eVisa: Create and log into a UKVI account on GOV.UK. Once your identity is verified and your passport is linked, your eVisa becomes visible in your account at any time.
Why is the UK Replacing BRPs with eVisas?
- What a BRP is: A plastic card previously issued to non-UK nationals as proof of immigration status, complete with a photo and fingerprint data.
- Why physical cards are being phased out: They could be lost, damaged, or stolen, and updating details, like a new passport, meant weeks of waiting for a replacement.
- Benefits of going digital: Instant updates, faster verification for employers and officials, and no physical document to misplace or tamper with.
- Who’s affected: Almost everyone who previously held a BRP, including workers, students, and settled residents.
- Key UK Government updates: Part of a wider “Digital by Default” push, with physical cards no longer issued for most visa categories.
The Benefits of Switching to eVisa for UK Residents
Moving from a physical card to a BRP-to-eVisa setup brings some genuine advantages, even if the change felt sudden for many people.
- No physical card to carry or lose. Your status exists online, so there’s nothing to misplace, damage, or leave at home before a trip.
- Easy online access, anytime. You can log in and check your status from your phone or laptop whenever you need to.
- Faster verification. Employers, landlords, and border officials can check your eVisa instantly using a share code, rather than manually inspecting a card.
- Reduced risk of losing important documents. Since your status isn’t tied to a physical object, there’s no risk of it being stolen or destroyed.
- Easier travel preparation. As long as your passport is correctly linked to your UKVI account, border checks are generally quicker and more consistent.
- Secure digital records. Your data is protected within your UKVI account and linked directly to your biometric information, making it harder to forge or tamper with.
For most people, once the BRP-to-eVisa switch is set up correctly, day-to-day life becomes noticeably simpler.
The Process of Converting Your BRP to an eVisa
Here’s the full step-by-step process, broken down so nothing gets missed.
Step 1: Create Your UKVI Account
The first step is to create a UKVI account and eVisa access through the official GOV.UK website. This is where your digital immigration record will live going forward.
You’ll need a valid email address and a UK mobile number to complete the UKVI account sign-up. Use an email address you check regularly, since important updates and confirmations will be sent there.
Tip: Avoid using a work email if you might change jobs soon. A personal email is safer for long-term access.
Step 2: UKVI Login
Once your account is created, you’ll use your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
login details each time you need to access your record. This includes your registered email and a secure password.
For the UKVI account login eVisa process, you may also be asked to set up two-factor authentication, usually a code sent to your phone, for extra security.
Tip: Save your login details somewhere secure. Forgotten passwords are one of the most common reasons people get locked out during this process.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
Next, you’ll need to confirm you are who you say you are. This is usually done through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, which scans your BRP and takes a live photo of your face to match against Home Office records.
Tip: Make sure you’re in a well-lit room with a stable internet connection before starting this step, as poor lighting is a common cause of failed scans.
Step 4: Link Your Immigration Status
This is probably the most important step. You need to link eVisa to your UKVI account by connecting your current, valid passport to your immigration record.
If you’ve recently renewed your passport, this step is essential, since your eVisa is tied to a specific passport number. Travelling on an unlinked passport can cause real problems at check-in or border control.
Tip: Double-check that the passport number entered matches exactly what’s printed on your document. A single digit error can cause verification to fail.
Step 5: View Your eVisa
Once your status is linked, you can sign in to view your eVisa and check the immigration conditions recorded against your status.
Tip: Take a screenshot or note down your visa conditions for your own records, even though the official version stays online.
Step 6: Check Your Digital Immigration Status
Finally, get into the habit of checking your digital status periodically, especially before booking travel or starting a new job. This ensures everything is showing correctly and gives you time to fix any issues well in advance.
If you’re planning to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, read our guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa without a BRP card to understand how your UK eVisa can be used as proof of immigration status.
What You Need to Set Up Your eVisa
Before you start, it helps to have the following ready:
- Valid passport – the one you’ll be linking to your account
- BRP details – the number printed on your card along with its expiry date, even if the physical card is no longer valid
- Email address – needed to set up your account and receive important updates
Phone number –a mobile number you can access for verification codes; UKVI account details – if you’ve started the process before, have your existing login handy - Identity verification – access to a smartphone camera for the ID Check app
- Supporting documents (if requested) – in some cases, such as a lost BRP or a mismatch in personal details, you may need additional evidence like a birth certificate or previous visa decision letter
Additional documents are usually only requested when there’s a discrepancy between what you’ve entered and what the Home Office has on file, so accuracy at every step really does matter.
Common Problems When Switching from BRP to eVisa
Even with a fairly straightforward process, a few recurring issues come up.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Suggested Fix |
| Unable to log in | Forgotten password or unverified email | Use the password reset option and check your spam folder for verification emails |
| Identity verification failed | Poor lighting or camera quality during the scan | Retry in better lighting with a stable connection, or use a different device |
| Incorrect passport linked | Entered an old or expired passport number | Update your account with your current passport details |
| BRP details not matching | Typing errors or outdated information on file | Carefully re-enter details exactly as shown on the card |
| Lost BRP | Card misplaced before linking was completed | Contact the UKVI Resolution Centre for guidance on proving your identity another way |
| Expired BRP | Card past its printed expiry date | but your underlying immigration permission may still be valid. Check your current digital status and follow the latest UKVI instructions. |
| Email issues | Typos in the registered email address | Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)Support to correct the email on file |
If you’re planning to apply for a Schengen visa after switching from a BRP to an eVisa, it’s important to understand how digital status and share-code errors can affect your application. Read our guide to Schengen visa rejection reasons for BRP and eVisa holders to learn about common mistakes and how to avoid them.
If you get stuck at any stage,Fast Holidays can help guide you through account and linking issues, or you can reach out to the free UKVI Resolution Centre for direct support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few small mistakes cause most of the delays people run into:
- Waiting until the last minute, especially before travel, when there’s no time left to fix problems
- Using an incorrect or outdated passport when linking your account
- Skipping the passport-linking step altogether, which may lead to problems when checking in for flights or passing through border control
Ignoring emails from UKVI, which often contain time-sensitive instructions or verification requests - Creating multiple UKVI accounts, which can cause confusion and duplicate records
- Entering incorrect personal details, such as a misspelled name or wrong date of birth, which can prevent your record from matching
Taking your time during setup saves far more time later.
Why Choose Fast Holidays
Switching from a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)to an eVisa is meant to be simple, but many people still run into account errors, linking issues, or confusion about what to do next.
That’s where Fast Holidays come in. We help with:
- Clear guidance on UK immigration and eVisa requirements
- Setting up and troubleshooting your UKVI account
- Checking your documents before submission
- Linking your passport and fixing mismatched details
- General support throughout the process
Final immigration decisions are always made by UK authorities, and we can’t guarantee any outcome. What we can do is make sure your account is set up right, your documents are accurate, and you’re never left guessing.
Get in touch with Fast Holidays today for help with your BRP-to-eVisa transition
