The Home Office and your visa or eVisa in the UK

Britain is moving to a digital immigration system: instead of physical documents (BRP and passport sticker) your status is recorded in a UKVI account online.

• Create your account on GOV.UK and enter your email, phone number and travel document and verify your identity via the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
• And when you need to prove your right to work, rent or services you generate from your account a share code, a nine-character number valid for 90 days, and give it to the employer or landlord, who verifies via the GOV.UK site with your date of birth.
• Keep your passport valid and matching in the account, and update your data if you change your phone number, email or passport.
• And do not give the share code to one who does not need it. And if an error appears in your account submit a correction request.

When applying for a visa or extension fill an online form, pay the application fee and the IHS fee, and book an appointment at a service centre (UKVCAS) to give biometrics if required, and upload supporting documents: passport, proof of income, a sponsorship letter (CoS for skilled workers), proof of English language (an SELT test or university degree), a medical record (TB test for some countries), and proof of residence.

• Apply before your current visa expires: if you apply before it expires your right remains under section 3C during consideration.
• Decisions take from three weeks to several months by type, and a priority service is faster for a fee.
• Do not travel during processing without advice.
• And answer any request for information from UKVI within the set deadline.

Applications carry high fees that change yearly: a Skilled Worker visa from about 719 to 1500 pounds depending on duration, a Student visa about 490 pounds, a Family visa about 1800 pounds, its extension about 1000 pounds, indefinite leave about 2885 pounds, and citizenship about 1605.

• And the IHS health fee is added, and perhaps language test fees, biometrics, translation and the faster service.
• Fees are paid to the government and not to any intermediary, so beware of fraudulent intermediaries promising a guaranteed visa for large sums.
• And you must show sufficient balance in the account for some visas (such as students).
• And there are exemptions and reductions for some categories (refugees and those unable to pay).
• Check the current fees on GOV.UK before every application and keep your receipts.

According to your visa type you have obligations: to work for a certain employer (Skilled Worker), or study full-time with a limit on work hours (Student), or not to resort to public funds (No Recourse to Public Funds, NRPF) as in many visas, so you are not entitled to some benefits such as Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.

• Inform UKVI of any change: address, job, salary or family status.
• Do not work if your visa does not permit it. And do not stay after the visa expires (overstay) since that threatens your future chances.
• And breaching conditions is subject to visa cancellation or removal.
• And if your circumstances change (divorce or dismissal from work) seek advice at once.
• And keep your documents and records (housing, income, residence) for the full period in preparation for any application.

After five years usually of legal residence on some routes (and rules change towards about ten years for some) you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with conditions: the Life in the UK test, proof of English (B1), no offences and sufficient residence inside Britain.

• And after a year of ILR (or three years for those married to Britons) you can apply for British citizenship with conditions of a clean record and tests.
• Citizenship grants a British passport, the right to vote and no restrictions.
• Legal advice is essential: it is offered by registered services (OISC), licensed lawyers and organisations such as Citizens Advice, the Refugee Council, Asylum Aid and others, and do not rely on an unregistered intermediary.
• And refugees, asylum seekers and families who are victims of violence are entitled to legal help under legal aid.
• Verify registration via OISC.

What is an eVisa?