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eVisa guidance for EU citizens this festive season
This time of year, people around the world will be travelling to spend time with their families. With there being three million EU citizens in the UK, many of them may be travelling to their home countries.
If this applies to you, it is good to make sure that you are up-to-date on any important information that may impact your travels, especially when there have been many immigration rule updates recently in the UK. The introduction of eVisas is one example that you need to be aware of, particularly for when you return to the UK after you have visited your family.
eVisas were announced in 2024, but full introduction was delayed until November 2025. From 25 February 2026, they will be mandatory. The full introduction was delayed due to issues with the rollout, which included people’s details being merged with details from other people’s accounts. Those settled in the UK may encounter their own unique difficulties.
Now, most visa holders have to use an eVisa to enter the UK. Keep reading to see our eVvisa guidance, and learn what you need to know so that you can avoid any issues.
What is an eVisa?
Essentially, the eVisa is an online record of your immigration status that you will need to use to prove your right to enter the UK. They also store any other information related to your immigration status, such as your settlement status on the EU Settlement Scheme.
They were introduced to streamline the process of passing border control and also make it so people do not have to carry as many documents with them whilst travelling.
Before you can access your eVisa, you will need to have a UKVI account. If you hold pre-settled or settled status in the UK, you should have been invited to make an account earlier in the year. If you do not have an account, check to see if you received an email from UKVI.
Additionally, you will need to link your passport to your eVisa through your account.
Finally, you will be able to use your account to get a share code, which you can give to the authorities at immigration control before your flight back to the UK. This code is used as a quick way to check your immigration status in the UK.
Step by step travel checklist
Before you leave the UK to spend time with your loved ones, you should make sure that your UKVI account is up-to-date, that your passport is linked, and that you can see your eVisa.
In this section, we will tell you how to do this with a step by step guide; please note that not every step may apply to you.
Step 1 – Check your eVisa and account information
To begin, the most important thing to do before anything else is check your eVisa.
First, you will need to login to the Government’s website using your UKVI account. You can do this by clicking the green ‘view your eVisa and get a share code’ button on the Government’s eVisa webpage.
Then, you can check if you can view your eVisa, see if your details are correct and link your passport.
If your details are not correct, then you will need to carry out a few more steps.
Step 2 – Updating your eVisa information
First, you will need to click the green ‘update your UKVI account’ button which can be found further down this Government page.
Sign in again if you need to, then scroll down to and click on ‘add a new identity document’ on your profile. The process will be the same for everyone until you reach the question: ‘Have your personal details changed on your new identity document?’
If you are only adding your new passport or other identity document and do not need to update any personal details, then click ‘no, my personal details have not changed’ and just follow the steps to add your document. This will involve uploading a photo of your new document.
The Government has a YouTube video to help you with the above.
However, if your details have changed, such as a name change after getting married, then you will have to do a few extra things. Click ‘yes, my name, nationality or date of birth has changed’ and continue.
You will then be asked to prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, which is the quickest way to provide proof. Your app will need to be connected to your account, which you will be prompted to do when continuing with your profile update.
Next, you will have to upload a photo of your passport or other identity document with your new personal details on it. You will also be prompted to upload a photo of your face, and may also have to use NFC on your phone so that the app can detect your passport’s biometric chip.
Anyone who cannot use the app will instead have to apply through a form that will need to be submitted to their nearest application centre. There will be a fee to do this.
If you are struggling with updating your personal information, then the Government has a video that can help you.
What to do if you have an issue
Anyone having issues with their eVisa should report the issue to the Home Office straightaway. You can do this on the Government’s eVisa webpage under the ‘report an error with your eVisa’ subheading.
For example, if you are struggling to log-in or cannot get a sharecode, you should report it.
What if my family is visiting me in the UK?
In the event that your family is visiting you instead, they will need to get Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This was introduced as a faster and easier way for people from selected countries to visit the UK, with EU countries being included.
It only takes a few minutes to apply for one, and currently costs £16. ETA applications will take from a few hours to a few days to receive a decision.
eVisa guidance FAQ
There are some other details that may be useful to know depending on your unique situation, particularly during the busy festive season. We will go through them here.
What if I am a dual-national with British citizenship?
In this case, you will not need to prove your immigration status, as you can simply use your British passport to return to the UK. This also applies to Irish passport holders.
How long do sharecodes last for?
When you generate a sharecode, it will last for three months.
Do some places not accept sharecodes?
There may be times where authorities at the airport do not just accept the sharecode alone. Some will want to watch you log-in to your UKVI account.
How we can help
If you need any assistance with issues related to pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or need help in applying for settlement, then our team of experts can assist you.
To discuss your needs with our team, you can begin by booking a free 10-minute assessment. After this, you can then book a longer paid consultation which lasts either 30 minutes, or an hour. Your consultation can be with one of our immigration specialists, or with our Principal Solicitor Nathan Woodcock. The choice is yours.
During your paid consultation, you will be given assistance with your application, as well as legal advice. We will help you every step of the way.
Get in touch with us today for our expert immigration advice, and keep visiting our website to find out about future Statements of Change.
Still unsure about using our services? Then visit our testimonials and client success stories pages to see how we have helped people in the past.
Ready for assistance?
If you have any questions, or want to book an appointment with one of our legal experts, contact Woodcock Law today. Call us on +44 (0)20 7712 1705 or email info@woodcocklaw.co.uk.
