UK eVisa: How to Register Your British eVisa (UKVI Account) – Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Назад

What is a UK eVisa?

Since 2026, the United Kingdom has fully transitioned to electronic visas (eVisas). Visa stickers that were previously placed inside passports, as well as Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards, are no longer issued.

All UK visas are now issued digitally as a UK eVisa. Your immigration status is stored securely in your UKVI Accountand is electronically linked to your passport.

Your UK eVisa serves as proof of your permission to enter and stay in the United Kingdom.

What Has Changed?

1. Your passport is no longer kept by the Visa Application Centre

When you attend your biometric appointment, your passport is scanned but is returned to you immediately after your appointment. You no longer have to leave your passport with the Visa Application Centre while your application is being processed.

2. You will receive an email once your visa has been approved

After the UK Home Office makes a decision on your visa application, you will receive an email confirming that your UK eVisa has been issued.

The email normally includes:

  • your full name;
  • your passport number;
  • your GWF application number;
  • the validity period of your UK visa.

Once you receive this email, you should create or access your UKVI Account, where your electronic UK visa will be available.

If you already have a UKVI Account, simply sign in and check that all your personal details are correct.

Benefits of a UK eVisa

The UK eVisa system offers several advantages:

  • you keep your passport during visa processing;
  • there is no risk of losing or damaging a visa sticker;
  • your immigration status can be checked online at any time;
  • you can generate a Share Code whenever required;
  • your visa is securely linked to your passport.

Who Needs to Create a UKVI Account?

Anyone applying for a UK visa from 2026 onwards should create a UKVI Account to access and manage their digital immigration status.

This includes applicants for:

If you still have a valid UK visa sticker in your passport, it is also recommended to create a UKVI Account. Doing so can help avoid potential issues when checking in for your flight or passing UK border control, as airlines and border authorities increasingly rely on digital immigration records.

Who Does Not Need to Create a New UKVI Account?

If you have already created a UKVI Account and your newly issued UK eVisa is displayed there automatically, you do not need to register again.

Simply sign in and make sure that your passport details and personal information are correct.

What Do You Need Before Registering Your UK eVisa?

Before you begin, prepare the following:

  • your original passport;
  • a smartphone (Android or iPhone);
  • your GWF application number (available in your visa application or decision email);
  • access to the email address used in your UK visa application.

UK eVisa Registration: Step-by-Step Guide

When attending your biometric appointment, some Visa Application Centres offer a paid service to help create your UKVI Account.

As of July 2026, this service costs approximately UAH 780.

However, this service only covers the initial registration. After your visa has been approved, you will still need to complete the remaining steps yourself.

Step 1. Create Your UKVI Account

Open the official UKVI registration page.

During registration, you will be asked to provide:

  • your passport details;
  • your date of birth;
  • your contact information;
  • your email address.

After registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to access your UKVI Account.

Important

The system may ask you to verify your mobile phone number by SMS.

In some cases, the verification code may not arrive. If this happens, simply choose the option indicating that you did not receive the code and continue without phone verification.

Step 2. Sign in to Your UKVI Account

Once your account has been created, sign in.

Choose Passport as your sign-in method and enter:

  • your passport number;
  • your date of birth;
  • your email address.

A six-digit verification code will be sent to your email address.

After entering the code, the system will ask you to install the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

The app can be installed on any smartphone; it does not have to belong to the visa applicant.

You will then connect the app to your UKVI Account using a connection code.

Step 3. Connect the UK Immigration: ID Check App

Open the app and tap Continue.

Next, select Connection code.

The app will display a code which must be entered into your UKVI Account.

Once connected successfully, you will continue the identity verification process inside the mobile application.

Step 4. Verify Your Identity

Using the app, you will need to:

  • photograph your passport information page;
  • scan your passport’s NFC chip;
  • complete facial recognition;
  • take a selfie.

For the best results, stand in front of a plain wall with good lighting.

The application provides visual instructions throughout the process.

After verification, you can either select Disconnect and continue on your computer or tap Continue to finish everything on your smartphone.

Finally, enter your GWF application number.

Step 5. Check That Your UK eVisa Is Available

Approximately one to two hours after completing registration, sign in to your UKVI Account again.

If everything has been completed successfully, your UK eVisa should now appear in your account.

This is also where you can generate your Share Code.

What Is a Share Code?

A Share Code is a secure code that allows you to prove your UK immigration status.

Although your UK eVisa is electronically linked to your passport, airlines, employers, landlords, universities or UK border officials may occasionally ask you to provide a Share Code to verify your status.

A Share Code remains valid for 90 days.

Once it expires, simply sign back into your UKVI Account and generate a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to print my UK eVisa?

No. Your UK eVisa exists only in digital form and is electronically linked to your passport.

Do I need internet access when travelling?

Not necessarily. However, we recommend checking your UK eVisa before travelling and generating a valid Share Code if required.

What should I do if I receive a new passport?

You should update your passport details in your UKVI Account.

What if I cannot access my UKVI Account?

Use the official account recovery process or contact UKVI Support.

Need Help?

If you experience any difficulties creating your UKVI Account, verifying your identity, linking your passport or generating your Share Code, the specialists at Prosto Visa are here to help.

We support our clients throughout the entire UK visa process — from preparing the visa application to successfully activating their UK eVisa and UKVI Account.

Previous Next