What is an eVisa for spouse visa holders?

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status that replaces the physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You access your eVisa through a UKVI account online. It confirms your right to live and work in the UK and can be shared with employers, landlords, and border officials.

Do I still need a BRP card?

Physical BRP cards are being phased out. New applicants receive digital eVisas rather than physical cards. If you have an existing BRP that is expiring, you need to transition to the eVisa system by creating a UKVI account. Your immigration rights remain the same.

How do I prove my right to work without a physical card?

You generate a share code through your UKVI account. The share code allows employers to check your immigration status online using the Home Office's online checking service. This replaces the need to show a physical BRP card.

What if I have problems accessing my eVisa?

If you cannot access your UKVI account or eVisa, contact the Home Office through the UKVI resolution centre. Do not panic — your immigration status exists in the Home Office system regardless of whether you can access it online. The resolution centre can help fix access issues.

Spouse Visa eVisa and BRP: Digital Immigration Status

The UK has transitioned from physical BRP cards to digital eVisas. Spouse visa holders access their immigration status through a UKVI account and share it using share codes. This guide covers how to set up your account, prove your status, and handle common issues.

What Has Changed

The UK has been transitioning from physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards) to digital immigration status (eVisas). As of 2026, new visa grants — including spouse visas — are issued as eVisas rather than physical cards.

Your immigration status is stored in the Home Office's system and accessed through a UKVI account. The GOV.UK eVisa page explains how to create and access your account.

Setting Up Your UKVI Account

To access your eVisa, you need a UKVI account:

Go to the GOV.UK eVisa page
Create an account using your email address
Link your immigration status to the account using your passport or BRP details
Verify your identity (this may involve uploading a photo of your passport and a selfie)

Once set up, you can view your immigration status, check the conditions of your leave, and generate share codes.

Proving Your Status

The main way to prove your immigration status is through share codes:

Right to Work

When starting a new job, your employer conducts a right-to-work check. Generate a share code through your UKVI account and give it to your employer. They enter the code on the Home Office online checking service to verify your status.

Right to Rent

Landlords can verify your right to rent using a separate share code (for right to rent rather than right to work). The process is the same — generate the code and provide it to your landlord.

At the Border

When travelling, your immigration status is linked to your passport. Border officials can verify your status electronically. However, carry a printout of your eVisa status or have it accessible on your phone as a backup.

If You Have an Existing BRP

If you were issued a physical BRP card that is now expiring or has expired, you need to transition to the eVisa system. Your immigration status remains valid — the card is just the physical evidence. Create a UKVI account and link your status to it.

Do not throw away your old BRP card. Keep it as a backup document, even though the eVisa is the primary evidence of your status.

Common Issues

Cannot link status to account: This can happen if your name or passport number does not match Home Office records exactly. Contact the UKVI resolution centre for help.
Status shows incorrect information: If your eVisa shows wrong dates, conditions, or personal details, report this to the Home Office immediately.
Employer does not accept eVisa: Some employers are unfamiliar with the eVisa system. Direct them to the Home Office online right-to-work checking service.
New passport: If you get a new passport, you need to update your UKVI account to link your status to the new passport number.

Travel Considerations

When travelling abroad and returning to the UK, your immigration status is checked against your passport at the border. Ensure your eVisa is linked to your current passport. If you have recently renewed your passport, update your UKVI account before travelling.

Some countries may require evidence of your UK visa status when you apply for their visa. A printout of your eVisa or a letter from the Home Office can serve this purpose.

Next Steps

If you have not yet set up your UKVI account, do so now. If you are applying for a new spouse visa, you will receive an eVisa rather than a physical card. Familiarise yourself with the share code system so you are ready to prove your status to employers and landlords.

Related guides: