As of 2026, following a switch to UK eVisa online instruction guide is mandatory for former UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders, as all physical BRPs became invalid for proving immigration status on 31 December 2024, irrespective of the expiry date printed on the card. The UK Home Office now mandates that all immigration status is managed digitally through a secure UKVI online account to ensure legal residence, prove rights to work or rent, and facilitate travel.
The UK's Digital Immigration System
The United Kingdom's government has completed its transition to a digital immigration system. This policy means physical documents like the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are no longer the primary proof of immigration status. A secure online record, known as an eVisa or digital status, is now the sole official confirmation of an individual's permission to be in the UK. This change is a required update for Kenyan nationals and others with UK immigration permission.
The move to digital records increases security and efficiency. A digital status cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with like a physical card. The system allows for real-time checks by employers, landlords, and the National Health Service (NHS) using a secure 'share code' system. For border control, the eVisa is linked directly to an individual’s passport, which simplifies entry into the UK and expands the use of automated eGates for eligible travellers.
Critical Deadlines for BRP Holders
The requirement to transition to a digital status primarily affected holders of physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). The critical deadline for this group was 31 December 2024, after which all BRPs ceased to be valid as proof of status. This invalidation applies even if the date printed on your BRP card shows a later expiry. As of 2026, any individual relying on a BRP card is not using valid proof of their immigration status.
If you held a BRP and did not create a UKVI account to view your digital status before the deadline, you must do so immediately. The underlying immigration permission is not automatically cancelled, but the physical document proving it is no longer valid. Other visa holders, such as those with a visa vignette in their passport, typically had a digital status created automatically with their application. Their key action is to register for a UKVI online account to access this existing digital record.
Documents Needed to Access Your eVisa
To create a UKVI account and link it to your existing immigration status, you must have specific documents and information available. The process is conducted entirely online and requires you to verify your identity against the details the Home Office holds. Preparing this information beforehand ensures the process is straightforward.
You will need the following items:
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): The BRP number is printed on the front of the card.
- Your Date of Birth: This date must match the one provided in your previous visa applications.
- Your Nationality: The nationality must be the one recorded on your official immigration record.
- A valid Passport or Travel Document: You need the passport used to apply for your most recent visa.
- Access to an email address and phone number: The UKVI account setup involves sending verification codes to your email and phone.
Providing new digital photos or fingerprints is not typically necessary unless you are specifically instructed to do so by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for a separate reason, such as a visa extension.
Online Process to Create a UKVI Account
The process of migrating your physical BRP status to an online eVisa involves creating a UKVI account on the official GOV.UK website. This procedure links your existing immigration record to a new digital account, which becomes your primary proof of status.
First, navigate to the official GOV.UK service titled 'View and prove your immigration status'. Do not use any third-party websites for this process. Second, begin the account creation process by providing your BRP number, date of birth, and nationality exactly as they appear on your permit. Third, the system will request a current, accessible email address and phone number. Security codes are sent to both to verify your identity and secure the account.
Fourth, after identity confirmation, the service locates your immigration record and links it to the UKVI account. You can then view your digital status, including permission type (e.g., indefinite leave to remain, skilled worker), expiry date, and any attached conditions. You must ensure all details are correct. The GOV.UK service provides instructions for how to report a problem with your online status if you find any errors.
Using and Managing Your eVisa Account
Your active UKVI online account is the central point for managing your immigration status. You log in using your registered email address and password, along with a security code sent to your phone or email. This account serves as your evidence of the right to live, work, or study in the UK.
The account's primary function is proving your status to others by generating a 'share code'. When you log in, select the option to 'prove my status' and specify the reason, such as for work or rent. The system generates a unique alphanumeric code valid for 90 days. You provide this code and your date of birth to an employer or landlord, who uses the official GOV.UK 'check' service to view your verified status. You are also responsible for keeping personal details updated, especially your current passport information.
Consequences of Not Accessing Your Digital Status
For former BRP holders, failure to create a UKVI account and rely on a digital status leads to significant negative consequences. Because physical BRPs were invalidated after 31 December 2024, presenting one is no longer an acceptable method for proving your rights in the UK. This can cause serious practical and legal difficulties.
Without access to your digital status and the ability to generate a share code, you may be unable to pass a 'right to work' check, which prevents you from starting a new job. Landlords cannot legally rent property to someone who cannot prove their 'right to rent'. Accessing certain NHS services or opening a bank account may also become difficult. For travel, you will face delays and scrutiny at the UK border upon re-entry without the correct digital proof linked to your passport.
Travelling to the UK with an eVisa
Your digital eVisa is directly linked to the passport you used in your visa application. Before you board a flight to the UK, airlines verify your permission to travel through their digital systems. Upon arrival at UK Border Control, officers can scan your passport to access your digital immigration status, removing the need to present a BRP.
The digital link also facilitates the use of eGates at major UK airports for eligible travellers over 10 years old. You must travel with the same passport registered on your UKVI account. If you obtain a new passport, for instance from the Kenyan High Commission in London, you must update your details through your UKVI account before your next trip. Failure to update this information will cause a system mismatch and likely result in being denied entry through the eGates.
Digital Status for Visa Vignette Holders
For Kenyan applicants whose UK permission was issued as a vignette (a sticker) in their passport, the process differs from that of BRP holders. Most recent visa vignettes, particularly for routes leading to settlement, are issued alongside an automatically created digital status. The vignette itself often acts as a temporary travel document, valid for 90 days to allow entry to the UK.
These individuals did not have a mandatory 'switch' process like the BRP invalidation because their status is already digital. The main task is to create a UKVI online account to view, manage, and prove this status. If you hold an older, long-term visa vignette and have never created a UKVI account, you should do so to generate share codes. The GOV.UK 'View and prove' service guides you on how to link your status, which may require details from your original visa grant letter.
Specialist Assistance with Your UKVI Account
UK Visa Assist provides specialist support for Kenyan applicants navigating the UK's immigration system. Our team can assist in reviewing your situation, guiding you through the steps to access your UKVI account, and helping to address any errors in your digital status. A consultation can provide clarity and a plan of action for complex circumstances, such as a previous refusal or the need to update old details. We help prepare and review applications, but the final decision always rests with UKVI.