This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Guide to transferring immigration status to a UK eVisa, explaining UKVI account setup, linking identity documents, share codes, legal status implications, and the shift from physical immigration records to digital verification.
The United Kingdom is moving from physical immigration documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), to a fully digital immigration system known as an eVisa. An eVisa is an online record of a person's immigration status held by the Home Office and accessed through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
Transferring immigration status to an eVisa means ensuring that existing permission to stay in the UK is correctly recorded in this digital system. In most cases, this is not a new application for immigration permission, but a process of linking existing status to a UKVI account so it can be viewed and used digitally.
This article explains how immigration status is transferred to an eVisa, who needs to do it, and how the system works in practice.
What an eVisa Is and Why Status Is Being Transferred
An eVisa is a digital record that replaces physical immigration documents. It contains:
- Immigration permission type (visa or settlement status)
- Conditions of stay (work, study, or restrictions)
- Start and end dates of permission
- Identity details linked to a passport or travel document
The system is part of the UK government's transition to digital border and immigration control systems, designed to reduce reliance on physical documents and improve real-time verification.
Under this system, immigration status is no longer primarily evidenced by a card or vignette but by an online record accessed through a UKVI account.
Who Needs to Transfer Immigration Status to an eVisa
A transfer or conversion to an eVisa system may apply to individuals who:
- Hold or previously held a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Have indefinite leave to remain or settled status not yet linked to an online account
- Have a visa or immigration permission issued before full digitisation
- Need to access or update their immigration record online for employment or housing checks
British and Irish citizens do not require an eVisa unless they are holding specific immigration status under separate arrangements.
Legal Status: Transfer vs New Application
It is important to distinguish between:
- Transfer of status: Moving existing immigration permission into the digital UKVI system
- New immigration application: Applying for permission to enter or remain in the UK
Transferring to an eVisa does not normally change immigration rights. It only changes the way those rights are recorded and evidenced.
The underlying legal permission to stay in the UK remains governed by immigration law and Home Office decisions, not the digital system itself.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Immigration Status to an eVisa
Step 1: Create a UKVI account
The first stage is setting up a UK Visas and Immigration account. This account becomes the central platform for accessing immigration status.
You will typically need:
- Passport or identity document details
- Email address and phone number
- Access to the contact details used in previous immigration applications
Identity verification is required to ensure the account matches Home Office records.
Step 2: Link your identity documents
Once the UKVI account is created, you must link your current passport or travel document. This ensures your immigration status is correctly associated with your identity.
This process may involve:
- Entering passport details
- Uploading document scans or photographs
- Verifying identity using biometric or security checks
Accuracy is essential, as mismatched details may prevent the eVisa from displaying correctly.
Step 3: Confirm existing immigration status
In most cases, the system will automatically retrieve immigration records based on:
- Previous visa applications
- Biometric Residence Permit records
- EU Settlement Scheme status (where applicable)
Once matched, your immigration status will appear in the digital account as an eVisa.
Step 4: Access your eVisa record
After successful linking, the eVisa can be viewed through the “View and Prove” service. This allows you to:
- Check immigration status details
- Confirm work and study rights
- Generate share codes for employers and landlords
- View visa expiry dates and conditions
The eVisa is not a downloadable document but a live online record.
Step 5: Generate share codes for verification
To prove immigration status to third parties, you must generate a share code.
This is used for:
- Right to work checks (employers)
- Right to rent checks (landlords)
- Other authorised verification purposes
A share code is:
- Time-limited (typically valid for 90 days)
- Linked to a specific purpose
- Verified directly through Home Office systems
When Transfer Issues Occur
1. No status found in system
This may happen if:
- Records are not yet migrated to digital systems
- Identity details do not match previous applications
- Incorrect passport information has been entered
2. Multiple identity records
Some individuals may have more than one immigration record, often due to:
- Passport renewals
- Name changes
- Previous visa applications using different documents
These records may need to be merged through UKVI support channels.
3. Delays in eVisa activation
Delays may occur due to:
- System migration processes
- Ongoing immigration applications
- Security or identity verification checks
During delays, existing immigration permission remains valid.
Legal Effect of eVisa Transfer
Transferring immigration status to an eVisa does not:
- Extend or shorten immigration permission
- Change visa conditions
- Grant new rights
It only changes how immigration status is recorded and verified.
Legal rights remain governed by:
- Immigration Rules
- Home Office grant decisions
- Relevant UK legislation on residence and immigration control
Rights and Practical Impact
Once immigration status is available as an eVisa, individuals can:
- Prove right to work without physical documents
- Demonstrate right to rent in England
- Access services requiring immigration verification
- Travel using passport-linked digital records (where applicable)
Employers and landlords must use the online checking system rather than requesting physical proof in most cases.
Common Risks and Compliance Issues
Failure to complete or maintain eVisa transfer correctly may lead to:
- Inability to generate share codes
- Delays in employment onboarding
- Rental application rejection
- Border verification difficulties
- Administrative inconsistencies in Home Office records
These issues do not usually affect legal status itself but can affect practical proof of status.
Practical Steps to Avoid Problems
- Ensure passport details are always up to date in UKVI account
- Keep contact details current for verification access
- Check eVisa record after any immigration decision
- Generate test share codes before urgent employment or rental checks
- Report discrepancies to UKVI promptly
Key Takeaways
Transferring immigration status to an eVisa involves linking existing UK immigration permission to a digital UKVI account. This process does not create new immigration rights but ensures that existing status is accessible online for verification. Once completed, individuals can use share codes and the “View and Prove” service to demonstrate legal status for work, housing, and other official purposes. Accurate linking of identity documents is essential to avoid delays or verification issues.
