Your UK immigration documents just went digital. Since 2021, the government has replaced physical cards and stamps with eVisas—online records that prove your right to work, study, or claim benefits in the UK.
Over 4 million people now hold digital immigration status. Here’s how to access yours and share it with employers, landlords, or government agencies when they need proof of your UK rights.
What is a UKVI Account?
You automatically have a UKVI account if you:
- Applied to the EU Settlement Scheme
- Used the UK Immigration: ID Check app for your visa application
- Applied online for certain visa types after 2019
You won’t have a UKVI account if you proved your identity at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or gave biometrics at a Service Support Centre. Contact UKVI to check your status or request an online account.
The View and Prove Service
The View and Prove service at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status is your gateway to your digital immigration record. This portal shows your complete status, UK rights, and lets you generate temporary share codes for employers or landlords.
Your eVisa displays everything from work restrictions to benefit entitlements. It’s replaced the need to carry physical documents entirely.
How to Check Your Status Online
Step 1: Visit gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and click ‘Start now’.
Step 2: Select your identity document—passport, national ID card, or biometric residence card.
Step 3: Enter your document number and date of birth exactly as they appear.
Step 4: Enter the verification code sent to your registered phone or email.
Your eVisa appears showing your name, nationality, conditions, and expiry date. Click ‘Check what you can do in the UK’ to see specific rights like working hours or benefit eligibility.
Keeping Your Account Current
Update your UKVI account within 28 days when these details change:
- Passport or travel document numbers
- Email address or phone number
- Legal name or nationality
- Home or correspondence address
Outdated information causes problems at UK borders and when proving status to employers. Use the View and Prove service or the separate ‘update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ service on gov.uk.
Employers checking right to work and landlords verifying right to rent need your immigration status. You prove this using temporary ‘share codes’ rather than showing physical documents.
Step 1: Sign into the View and Prove service.
Step 2: Click ‘Prove your status’ and select the checker type (employer, landlord, or other).
Step 3: Choose what information to share—you can exclude your photograph if needed.
Step 4: Generate your unique share code and copy it.
Step 5: Provide both the share code and your date of birth to the checking organization.
Share codes expire after 90 days. Checkers use your code at gov.uk/view-right-to-work for employment or gov.uk/view-right-to-rent for tenancy applications.
Government Departments with Direct Access
These organizations can check your status directly without share codes:
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- NHS England and Wales
- Social Security Scotland
They’ll verify your identity first, then access your immigration record through secure government systems.
Troubleshooting Access Problems
Can’t access your status? The most common causes are outdated contact details or using the wrong document number. Try your most recent passport or the document from your original application.
For technical issues, use UKVI’s online contact form at gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk. Expect responses within 5-20 working days depending on query complexity.
If you’re locked out due to changed phone numbers or email addresses, contact UKVI directly to regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a UKVI account?
Paper applications and Visa Application Centre appointments don’t create UKVI accounts automatically. Contact UKVI to check your status or request an online account setup.
Standard share codes expire after 90 days. You can generate unlimited new codes through the View and Prove service as needed.
Confirm you’ve provided both your share code and correct date of birth. The employer should use gov.uk/view-right-to-work specifically. If problems continue, generate a fresh share code.
Do I need to update my account with a new passport?
Yes, update your UKVI account within 28 days of getting a new passport. Your immigration status remains valid, but UK border systems need current document details to function properly.
Can I access my account without my registered phone?
No—you need access to your registered phone number or email for security verification codes. If you’ve lost access to both, contact UKVI to update your account details before you can sign in.
The days of carrying immigration documents are over. Your digital status is now your passport to proving your UK rights—make sure you know how to access it when you need it most.