UK explains how visa holders can access electronic immigration status

Foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom (UK) and those granted permission to enter or remain in the country can now access their immigration records electronically through the government’s eVisa system.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has provided guidance on how visa holders can activate their digital immigration status, explaining the steps required to create an account, verify personal details and access the records online.

The guidelines were published in an informational graphic on the agency’s X account on Monday, November 9, 2026, as the UK continues replacing traditional immigration documents with digital records.

How the UK eVisa system works

An eVisa is an electronic record that confirms an individual’s identity and immigration permission in the UK.

It contains information about the immigration status granted to an individual, including the category of visa held, whether the person has indefinite leave to remain and any restrictions attached to their permission.

The British government explained that the digital system has replaced physical immigration documents. Individuals who successfully obtain a UK visa or another form of permission to stay in the country are issued an eVisa.

What applicants must do to access their eVisas

Accessing an electronic immigration record involves several steps, beginning with a successful visa application.

Applicants must submit their applications through the official GOV.UK website. Depending on the visa category, they may also be required to attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information and complete identity checks.

After processing the application, UKVI sends an email notification informing the applicant of its decision. Applicants are advised to check their spam and junk folders if they do not receive the notification in their inbox.

Those whose applications are approved must then register for a UK Visas and Immigration account through the government’s eVisa portal.

Once registration is completed, they must sign in, verify their identities using the UK Immigration: ID Check app and link their accounts to their electronic immigration records.

UKVI will subsequently notify applicants by email when their eVisas are available for viewing.

Is the UK eVisa registration free?

The government has confirmed that visa holders do not have to pay to create a UKVI account or access their electronic immigration status.

It explained that users who have successfully connected their eVisas to their accounts would normally gain immediate access to their records.

However, the process could take up to 24 hours in some cases.

How to use an eVisa when travelling or seeking employment

Beyond providing access to immigration information, the digital system allows visa holders to generate share codes to demonstrate their immigration status when required.

These codes can be presented to prospective employers during recruitment processes or landlords when individuals want to rent accommodation in the UK.

The eVisa can also be used for international travel, but holders must ensure that their current passport or travel document details have been added to their UKVI accounts.

What happens to existing physical immigration documents?

Although the UK has moved towards digital immigration records, some physical documents may still have limited use.

The government clarified that holders of biometric residence cards may continue to use them in certain circumstances.

It also confirmed that existing visa vignettes, which are visa stickers attached to passports, remain valid until their stated expiry dates.

Visa holders are therefore advised to ensure that their UKVI accounts are properly set up, their travel document details are updated and the information displayed on their eVisas is accurate before travelling.