FAQ

I’ve renewed my passport. Do I really need to keep my UKVI account / eVisa updated? What happens if I don’t link a new passport or national identity document to my digital status?

It’s really important that your current travel document is linked to your digital status. You may experience problems travelling back to the UK if it is not.

This is because the UK has created an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which means people from countries who previously did not need a visa to come to the UK for a visit, now need to apply for an ETA before travelling.

The result of this is that, before travelling to the UK, everyone now needs to prove to an airline or other carrier (such as train or ferry company) that they have permission to enter the UK, before they are allowed to board. The Home Office calls this requirement a ‘universal permission to travel’.

People can satisfy this ‘universal permission to travel’ requirement in one of the following ways:

• Having a British or Irish passport
• Having an ETA linked to their passport
• Having a digital UK immigration status (also referred to as eVisa or UKVI account) or entry clearance that is linked to their passport or national identity card
• Some physical proof is still accepted - such as passport endorsements (e.g. indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps, or vignette stickers in passports such as entry clearance or visa vignettes - see section 2.3 in the Government’s guidance for carriers)

People who already have immigration status in the UK do not need to (and cannot) apply for an ETA because they are not visitors.

Instead, the way to satisfy the ‘universal permission to travel’ requirement is through your digital immigration status (also known as an eVisa).  People with status under the EUSS already have an eVisa, even if they are a non-EU family member who also had a biometric residence card (BRC). 

People with status outside the EUSS (who had a BRP) will need to create a UKVI account to link to their eVisa. All BRCs and BRPs will likely have expired on or before 31 December 2024. Since 2 June 2025, these expired cards are no longer accepted by carriers. 

Your carrier will try to determine your right to enter the UK through automated links to Home Office databases, when you supply your passport number at check-in. If your passport is not linked to your digital status, you are therefore likely to face difficulties being allowed to board the plane, train or ferry.  

Note, from 25 February 2026, the ETA requirement is set to be fully enforced, see this Home Office webpage: No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme. This is why it is so important to link your latest travel document to your digital immigration status.

How do I update my status to link my latest passport / national identity card?

Use the Update my UK Visas & Immigration account details service, and add your latest travel document. Please note that in some cases, you may be asked to send your passport or national identity card to the Home Office, so allow plenty of time before you plan to travel. Also note that, although you can link many identity documents to your digital status, you can only log in to View & Prove or Update my Details using the last identity document that was linked.

See our FAQ How do I update my digital status (UKVI account) to link my latest passport / national identity card to my eVisa? for more detailed information on how to go through the update process.

See also our FAQ I have (pre-) settled status. Can I use my EU national identity card to enter the UK? for important information about use of national identity cards after 31 December 2025.

What if I’m refused boarding?

If you are refused boarding, see our FAQ I live in the UK and am trying to travel home. The airline is refusing to allow me to board my flight. What can I do?

For more information on the GOV.UK website, see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-your-evisa-is-correct-before-you-travel.