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Introduction

The UK eVisa is a new process that will allow you to demonstrate your immigration status without a visa vignette (a sticker in your passport) or a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. It is part of the UK government's desire to create a fully digital immigration system that securely and conveniently allows you to work, travel, and/or live in the UK.

The eVisa will provide an alternative to paper documents with an online record attached directly to your passport. Instead of carrying the physical visa, when you travel to the UK (and beyond), you can show your immigration status through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online service, thus making the border check experience more straightforward and quicker.

This guide explores the entire process to follow to apply for a UK eVisa, including details on whether you are eligible, what documents you may need, and how to apply for a UK eVisa online. Whether you are visiting for work, visiting for study, or visiting family, a UK eVisa provides a more modern and lower-touch process to support your immigration status in the UK.

What is a UK eVisa?

A UK eVisa is an electronic immigration status that serves as verification of your entitlement to come to or stay in the United Kingdom for any purpose. It replaces visa vignette stickers placed in passports and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Cards. Instead, it provides a securely stored visa status for your passport number in a digital format.

The eVisa is part of a UK plan to modernize its border and immigration system by 2025, which means the UK will replace the physical visa status documents with digital visa statuses instead. Therefore, you no longer have to worry about losing your BRP Card or having a sticker expire—your visa status is securely recorded, stored, and available to access when you log into your UKVI account.

For international travelers heading to the UK, the eVisa significantly speeds up the process and should be included in your international travel documents checklist. It allows immigration officers to check your details online when you arrive at the UK border, so processing becomes quicker and easier for you. This is a step forward to having a more secure, paperless system where you are always in control of your immigration status anytime and anywhere.

Who requires a UK eVisa?

The UK eVisa is a component of the country's move towards a completely digital immigration system, which does away with physical documents such as visa stickers and Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). Following is the breakdown of those who will require an eVisa and why:   

1. New Applicants Seeking Work, Study, or Family Visas  

If you are an applicant wishing to move to the UK for work, education, or to join a family member, you will be issued an eVisa instead of a physical document. Your eVisa provides digital status to verify your right to live, study, or work and permits relevant authorities to check your status through your passport linked to your UKVI online account.   

2. Applicants Seeking Visitor Visas  

Travellers seeking a Visitor Visa — whether for tourism and/or medical, or business purposes — will also receive an eVisa. The digital system will allow immigration officers to verify a traveller's visitor status without introducing stamps to verify visitor status in their passports. The national border check in a physical environment, therefore, becomes simple and less convoluted.

3. Applicants for the Graduate or Skilled Worker Route

Prospective students using the Graduate Route or Skilled Worker Route are moving to the eVisa rollout. The digital record replaces BRP cards for graduates and skilled workers, allowing you to prove your right to work and live in the UK without carrying physical proof. 

4. Current Visa Holders Transitioning from a BRP to eVisa

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Residence Card, you will need to transition your immigration status to an eVisa before December 31, 2024. The government is phasing in the transition to a digital eVisa system to remove physical cards in the next 12 months, and all visa holders need to link their immigration status to a UKVI online account.

5. EU and Non-EU Nationals using the Digital Immigration System

Both EU nationals and non-EU nationals are transitioning to the same digital system so that the immigration system is consistent and easy to access. Those who fall under the EU Settlement Scheme can now view and prove their immigration status online, while new applicants will take the same digital approach to obtain their visa in the UK.

[Learn More: Why Is Moving to Singapore from the UK Simpler Than Most People Imagine]

Eligibility for a UK eVisa

Most foreign nationals entering or residing in the United Kingdom for work, study, or family reasons qualify under the UK eVisa system. The new system is intended to replace physical documents as proof of visa and/or immigration status and transition the application process to a digital, more secure, and more accessible online experience. Here's who is eligible: 

1. Visa Holders Residing in the UK 

All individuals who are currently residing in the UK under a valid work, study, or family visa are eligible for an eVisa, which will link your immigration status to your passport digitally instead of having to carry around physical documentation, such as a BRP or visa sticker. 

2. Approved Applicants for a UK Visa  

If you have recently submitted an application for a UK visa and have received approval, your visa will now be in digital format. This includes visa approvals for professionals, students, and dependents for all cases. Instead of collecting a BRP, your visa will be digitally present in your UKVI online account.

3. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme already have or will have a digital status. Their digital status makes them automatically included within the eVisa transition to help with proving their right to live and work in the UK.

4. Non-EU Nationals with Long-Term Visa

Nationals of non-EU countries with long-term visas to the UK, for example, Skilled Worker, Innovator, or Family Visas, will also qualify for eVisas. The UK Government is in the process of converting all holders of long-term visas to a digital status by the end of 2024, which should make the process as easy as possible for employers and landlords to verify status.

5. Visa Renewal or Extension for Expats  

Your new immigration status, upon renewal or extension of your visa, will, in most cases, be issued digitally. This applies to Skilled Workers, holders of the Graduate Route, and your dependents. If you are renewing through the UKVI platform, your previous physical document will be automatically converted into an eVisa. This will allow you to access your new immigration status by using your eVisa, or to remain in the UK legally while waiting for the terms of your updated status.

Documents Required for a UK eVisa Application

To apply for a UK eVisa, you'll need to upload clear, valid, and up-to-date documents through your UKVI online account. Here's a quick checklist of what you'll need.

• Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months' validity; your eVisa is digitally linked to it.
• Visa Approval or Eligibility Proof: Offer letter, university admission, or family sponsorship document.
• Biometric Information: Fingerprints and a facial photo collected during your application.
• Financial Proof: Recent bank statements or payslips showing funds for at least 28 days.
• Proof of Residence: UK address document — tenancy agreement, utility bill, or council tax statement.
• Immigration Status Documents: Copy of your BRP card or previous visa for record matching.
• Travel History: Details of travel in the past 10 years, including previous UK visas.
• Supporting Documents (if needed): Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), or family relationship certificates.

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Step-by-Step Process: How to Apply for a UK eVisa

• Step 1: Create a UKVI Account

• Visit the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website and create an online account using your email address and a secure password. This account will store and track your visa information.

• Step 2: Choose Your Visa Type

• Select the visa category that applies to your purpose — work, study, family, or visitor. Read the eligibility details carefully before proceeding.

• Step 3: Complete the Application Form

• Fill in personal details, passport information, employment or study background, and travel history. Be accurate and consistent with all entries.

• Step 4: Upload Required Documents

• Attach all necessary documents — passport, proof of funds, sponsorship letters, and biometrics. Ensure each document is clear, valid, and in the correct format.

• Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee

• Pay the application fee online using a debit or credit card. The amount depends on the visa category, starting from £115 for short-term visas.

• Step 6: Book and Attend a Biometric Appointment

• Schedule an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints and a facial photo. Bring your appointment confirmation and passport.

• Step 7: Wait for Application Processing

• Most eVisa applications are processed within 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of visa. You'll receive updates by email through your UKVI account.

• Step 8: Receive Your eVisa Decision

• Once approved, you'll get an email confirmation. Your digital visa will appear in your UKVI account, linked automatically to your passport.

• Step 9: Travel to the UK

• When you arrive, border officers will verify your eVisa online using your passport. There's no need for a physical document — your status is stored securely in the UK immigration system.

• Step 10: Keep Your Details Updated

• If you renew your passport or change personal information, update your UKVI account immediately to ensure your eVisa remains valid.

How to Access and View Your UK eVisa

Once approved, your UK eVisa is fully digital and linked to your passport. You can check it anytime online.

• Log in to the UKVI Account: Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website and sign in with your registered email and password.
• Select "View and Prove Your Status": Click this option to see your visa type, validity, and conditions.
• Verify Details: Ensure your name, passport number, and visa duration are correct.
• Generate a Share Code: Create a temporary code to share your status with employers, landlords, or universities.
• Update Passport Details: Add your new passport information if it changes to keep your eVisa valid.
• Save a Copy: Download or print your eVisa confirmation page for backup when travelling.

How Long Does It Take to Get a UK eVisa?

Processing times for a UK eVisa depend on your visa category and where you apply from. Here's a quick overview of what to expect.

• Standard Processing Time: Most UK eVisa applications are processed within 3 to 6 weeks after submitting biometrics.
• Priority Service: You can pay extra for faster processing—5 working days for Priority and one working day for Super Priority (where available).
• Student & Work Visas: Typically processed within 3 weeks if all documents are complete and accurate.
• Family or Settlement Visas: Can take up to 12 weeks, depending on background checks and supporting evidence.
• Inside the UK (Switching or Extending): Usually processed within 8 weeks of application submission.
• Delays: Missing documents, incorrect details, or high application volumes may extend processing time.

Conclusion

It is now quicker, easier, and entirely online to apply for a UK eVisa. With the UK preparing to switch to a paperless immigration system, travellers are no longer concerned about missing documents or visa certificates. Everything is done online on your UKVI account, from the approval application.

Whether you are moving for work, study, or family, the eVisa makes your trip easier and provides a smooth experience every step of the way. By submitting the correct documents, applying early, and keeping your information current, you can integrate into the UK's new immigration system easily.