The UK eVisa is an electronic visa that exists online and is designed to overcome issues that can arise when passports are lost, damaged, or stolen. By opting for a fully digital approach, the UK visa system is designed to make it easier for workers and students from abroad to come to the UK to work or study. Keep reading to find out how to get yours.
What Is an evisa?
An eVisa is a digital document that helps you prove your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. It has been introduced to replace Biomentric Residence Permit (BRP) cards.
How Does the UK eVisa Work?
You will need a visa if you stay in the UK for longer than 6 months. The UK eVisa is simply the new online version of the traditional visa system. There are a variety of different types of visas that you can apply for based on your individual circumstances:
Sure, here’s a simple comparative table for the provided information:
| Visa Type | Description | Work Restrictions | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visas | For students conducting full-time study in the UK | Up to 20 hours per week during University term time | |
| Skilled Worker Visas | For workers with skills the UK is trying to attract (e.g., medical professionals, finance professionals, business leaders, scientists) | N/A | |
| Family Visas | Allows you to bring family and dependents to the UK | N/A | Able to financially support your dependents; Allowed to study |
| EU Citizens | Separate application system for EU citizens post-Brexit for EU citizens who want to move to or remain in the UK | N/A | |
| Asylum Seekers | Support for individuals fleeing war, turmoil, or unrest when claiming asylum in the UK | N/A |
Having a valid UK eVisa will allow you to prove your immigration status automatically online, removing the need for time-consuming in-person appointments. Visas vary in duration and are typically issued for periods of 2, 5, and 10 years.
How Do I Apply For My New UK eVisa?
The first thing you must do is create a UKIV account. Because the eVisa is a purely digital document, the application is 100% online. This means you will need to have access to a smartphone. This is designed to streamline the process so that you can quickly and easily provide the relevant documentation:
- A valid international passport from your country of origin
- A contract of employment if you are travelling for work
- A letter of acceptance from a university if you are coming to study
As part of the application process, you must also provide your address and prove your identity. To do this, you must download the authentication app suggested in the online form to scan your chosen identity document (passport or BRP card). You will also be asked to take a passport picture of yourself on a white background with your phone for your immigration records. You can retake the picture as many times as needed until you are happy with it.
Working your way through the simple step-by-step process will allow you to prove your immigration status quickly and efficiently. Exactly what you want to hear when it’s time to get your application for an eVisa for the UK submitted without delay.
What Do I Do With My BRP?
The old Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) system expires on 31st December 2024. You will need to create a new UKVI account using the link above before your BRP expires. This will allow you to convert your BRP to an eVisa quickly and efficiently online.
You may have already been contacted in writing via letter, email, or decision letter and told that you can create your new UKVI account. If this is the case but you have not yet done so, we would encourage you to take care of this admin task as soon as possible.
How Do I Know Which eVisa To Apply for?
The UK visa system can seem complicated and overwhelming to many, which in turn makes it difficult to figure out which visa you should be applying for. You can check your eligibility online quickly and easily, allowing you to identify the right application pathway for your individual circumstances.
Factors you will need to consider during the process are:
- Why do you want to come to the UK in the first place?
- Who do you intend to bring with you, if anyone?
- How long do you want to remain in the UK?
- Do you want to have the right to work in the UK?
- Do you want to have flexibility in terms of how much time you can spend outside the UK?
Giving these questions some clear thought in advance will help you quickly and easily identify the right visa for your needs. The eVisa system is then relatively simple to navigate and the online process will guide you through each of the required steps.
How Much Does It Cost To Apply for the eVisa?
A full list of UK visa application fees is available online and updated regularly to ensure that the latest pricing is always displayed. This is a more future-proof method than listing the current charges within this article as a static table.
As a guide, your eVisa application fee will be greater the longer you want to reside in the UK, the more people you want to bring with you, and the more you want to do when here.
A word of warning regarding third-party application services is required here. You will often see that these services list significantly higher fees on their own websites. This is because they are adding a large markup to the base fee charged by the UK Immigration Service for processing your documentation.
How Do I Track My UK eVisa Application Status?
Everything is done via your UKVI account and a clear timeline on the decision process will be shown. Individual circumstances and the nature of the eVisa you are applying for can cause processing times to vary dramatically. If in doubt, refer to the estimated processing time visible in your account as your first point of reference.
Who Do I Contact if My eVisa Application Is Denied?
You can use the visa contact form to clarify any details regarding your eVisa application, including processing times, specific visa details, and the reason for an application being denied. It’s important to note that simply objecting to a visa denial will not see your application reinstated.
A Simple and Efficient Way To Prove Your Immigration Status
The eVisa enables you to automatically prove your immigration status and stay in the UK longer than the standard 6-month cutoff for tourists. Students, skilled professionals, and families can all apply for eVisas that are 2, 5, or 10 years in duration.
FAQ’s
1. Can you make a second application if you have been refused?
Yes, although it should be remembered that if you simply apply with the same information, you will get the same result.
2. Will the UK’s visa guidelines change this year?
Checking the above links before making your application will give you access to the most current information available as all pages are updated in real time.
3. Can I extend my eVisa once I’m in the UK?
Restrictions and limits apply to each of the different types of visas. The key point is to make an application to extend your stay before your current eVisa expires.
