The UK's immigration system is going digital, replacing most physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards with an online record of your status called an eVisa. For NHS staff on a Health and Care Worker visa, this means you will need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view your details and prove your rights to work and live in the UK. This guide walks you through setting up your account, linking your passport, and using the new system with confidence.
What is a UK eVisa?
First, let's be clear: an eVisa isn't a new type of visa. It's simply a digital version of the immigration status you already hold. Instead of relying on a plastic BRP card, your permission to be in the UK is held securely in a personal online UKVI account.
This digital record contains all the information previously found on your BRP, including:
- Your personal details (name, date of birth)
- The type of visa you hold (e.g., Health and Care Worker)
- Your visa's start and end dates
- Any conditions attached to your stay (such as your right to work and what kind of work you can do)
The main advantage is that your status can be checked online instantly by you, your employer, or anyone else who has a legitimate need and your permission. It’s designed to be more secure and convenient than a physical card that can be lost, stolen, or damaged.
The move from BRPs to eVisas
The transition to eVisas is part of a wider government plan to modernise the UK border and immigration system. Physical BRP cards have a fixed expiry date of 31 December 2024, regardless of the actual expiry date of your visa. This is because the technology in the cards is being phased out.
If your visa extends beyond the end of 2024, you don't need to panic. Your immigration status itself is not ending. You simply need to register for a UKVI account to access your eVisa, which will reflect your full period of leave. The Home Office is contacting people in stages to invite them to create an account, but you can also do it proactively.
For anyone applying for a Health and Care Worker visa now, you may be directed to use the digital system from the outset. As always, the specific process for your application will be made clear on the official gov.uk website, which should be your primary source of information for fees and rules.
How to set up your UKVI account
Creating your UKVI account is the most important step in this process. It’s a one-time setup that gives you ongoing access to your immigration status. Take your time and have your documents ready before you start.
What you will need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following to hand:
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card
- Your current, valid passport (the one linked to your visa)
- Access to the email address you used for your visa application
- A phone that can receive text messages or an authenticator app
The setup process
Setting up the account is done entirely online via the gov.uk website. While the exact screens may vary, the general steps are as follows:
- Go to the official 'View and Prove' service on gov.uk. Be wary of unofficial websites. Always start from the gov.uk portal.
- Enter your BRP number, date of birth, and nationality. This information is used to find your existing immigration record.
- Verify your identity. You will be asked to confirm your email address and phone number by entering codes sent to you. This is for security and sets up two-factor authentication for future logins.
- Create a password. Choose something strong and memorable that you don't use for other accounts.
- Scan your document. You may be prompted to use your phone to scan the biometric chip in your passport or BRP to confirm your identity. The website will guide you through this, often asking you to download an app temporarily.
Once completed, you will have successfully created your UKVI account. You can then log in at any time to see your eVisa and all the details of your permission to stay in the UK.
Linking your eVisa to your current passport
Your eVisa is digitally linked to your passport. This is how airlines and border officials check your status when you travel into and out of the UK. It is absolutely essential that the passport linked to your eVisa is the same one you travel with.
When you first set up your UKVI account, it will be linked to the passport you used for your visa application. If you get a new passport for any reason—because your old one expired, was lost, or you changed your nationality—your first priority must be to update your UKVI account.
You can update your passport details from within your account. The process usually involves entering the new passport number and expiry date and may require you to scan the new document. Do not travel on a new passport until you have received confirmation from UKVI that your eVisa has been successfully transferred. Failing to do this could lead to you being denied boarding on a flight to the UK.
Using a share code to prove your status
One of the most practical features of the eVisa system is the 'share code'. This is a unique, time-limited alphanumeric code that you generate from your UKVI account to allow someone else to check your immigration status online.
You will need a share code to prove your rights to third parties, most commonly:
- Your NHS Trust (Right to Work): When you start a new job, or if your trust is conducting follow-up checks, your HR or recruitment team will ask for a share code to verify your right to work. They cannot legally employ you without this check.
- Landlords or letting agents (Right to Rent): In England, landlords are legally required to check the immigration status of prospective tenants. You will need to provide them with a share code and your date of birth.
How to generate a share code
Log in to your UKVI account via the 'View and Prove' service on gov.uk. You will be asked what you need to prove (e.g., your right to work). The system will then generate a code for you. This code is valid for 90 days.
You give this code, along with your date of birth, to the person who needs to check your status (e.g., your line manager or HR department). They enter these details into a separate 'checker' service on gov.uk, which will display your rights and any relevant conditions. You do not share your account password or any other private information.
A quick example: Chen, a paramedic
Let's imagine Chen, a paramedic who has been working at an NHS trust for two years on a Health and Care Worker visa. He is moving to a new flat closer to the hospital.
The letting agent asks him to prove his 'right to rent'. Chen logs into his UKVI account on his phone. He selects the option to prove his right to rent and the service generates a share code (e.g., 9A3B2C1D8). He emails this code and his date of birth to the agent.
The agent goes to the gov.uk landlord checker service, enters the code and Chen's date of birth, and immediately sees confirmation of Chen's status and his right to rent in the UK. The whole process takes just a few minutes, with no need for physical documents.
As Chen settles into his new flat, he's also starting a new role as a senior paramedic. To get a clear picture of his finances, he finds it helpful to use an NHS take-home pay calculator to see how his salary translates into monthly earnings.
Keeping your details up to date
Your UKVI account is your responsibility. It is vital that you keep your personal information accurate and up to date. This includes not only your passport details but also your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and UK address.
If UKVI needs to contact you with important information about your immigration status, they will use the details on your account. If these are out of date, you could miss critical communications.
If you spot an error on your eVisa—for example, a misspelt name or an incorrect work condition—you must report it to UKVI immediately through your account. Leaving incorrect information uncorrected can cause serious problems down the line, so it’s best to be proactive.
Key takeaways
- The eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status, replacing the physical BRP card.
- All BRPs will expire by 31 December 2024; you must create a UKVI account to access your eVisa before then.
- You need to set up a UKVI account on the gov.uk website using your BRP and passport.
- Always keep your passport details updated in your UKVI account, especially before travelling internationally.
- To prove your right to work or rent, you generate a 'share code' from your account to give to employers or landlords.
- It is your responsibility to ensure all personal details on your UKVI account are correct and up to date.