How to Link Your Passport to UK eVisa — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
Table of Contents
- Why You Must Link Your Passport
- Before You Start: What You Need
- Step 1: Sign In to Your UKVI Account
- Step 2: Select Update Travel Document
- Step 3: Download the ID Check App
- Step 4: Scan Your Passport
- Step 5: Complete Facial Recognition
- Step 6: Submit and Wait for Confirmation
- After Linking: What to Check
- When You Renew Your Passport
- If You Changed Your Name
- Troubleshooting: When Linking Fails
- The 30 June 2026 Deadline
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Must Link Your Passport to Your eVisa
Your UK eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status. Unlike the old BRP card, which was a standalone physical document, your eVisa is linked to a specific passport number. This passport number is how airlines, border officers, employers, and landlords verify your identity against your immigration record.
If your eVisa is linked to a passport you no longer use — because you renewed it, lost it, or changed your name — the system cannot match your identity. This means:
- Airlines cannot verify your immigration status and may deny you boarding
- E-gates at UK borders will not recognise you
- Employers and landlords cannot complete verification checks
- Share codes may not produce the expected results for third-party checkers
Passport mismatch is the single most common eVisa problem, responsible for approximately 12% of all boarding denials at UK airports. Linking your current passport to your eVisa is essential and should be done immediately whenever you receive a new passport.
Before You Start: What You Need
Gather these items before beginning the passport linking process:
Your New Passport
The current, valid passport you want to link to your eVisa. It must have an NFC chip (all UK passports issued since 2006 have one, as do most modern passports from other countries).
Smartphone with NFC
An iPhone 7 or later, or an Android phone with NFC capability. NFC must be enabled in your phone's settings. This is needed to scan the chip in your passport.
UKVI Account Login
Your Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login credentials. If you have not yet created a UKVI account, do that first at gov.uk/get-access-evisa.
Internet Connection
A stable internet connection on your phone. Wi-Fi is recommended over mobile data to avoid interruptions during the process.
Step 1: Sign In to Your UKVI Account
Go to the Update Page
Open a web browser on your phone or computer and go to gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details. This is the official government page for updating your immigration account details. Do not use third-party websites.
Sign In
You will be prompted to sign in using either your Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login credentials. Use whichever account you originally set up to access your eVisa. Enter your email address and password, then complete the two-factor authentication if prompted.
What You Will See
After signing in, you will see your UKVI account dashboard. This page shows your current immigration status and the passport number currently linked to your eVisa. If the passport number shown is different from the passport you want to use, you need to continue with the update process.
Step 2: Select Update Travel Document
Find the Update Option
On your account dashboard, look for an option labelled "Update your travel document", "Update passport details", or similar. The exact wording may vary, but it will be clearly related to changing or updating your passport information.
Confirm You Want to Update
The system will ask you to confirm that you want to update your travel document. It may show you the current passport on file and ask if you want to replace it. Select Yes or Continue to proceed.
Step 3: Download the ID Check App
Download the App
If you do not already have it, download the UK Immigration: ID Check app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). This is a free official government app published by the Home Office.
Make sure you download the correct app — look for the Home Office publisher and the official UK government logo. There are third-party apps with similar names that are not official.
Open the App
The government website will display a code or link that connects the app to your update request. Open the app and either scan the QR code shown on screen or enter the linking code manually. This connects your phone's app session to your UKVI account update.
Step 4: Scan Your Passport
This is the most critical step and the one where most people encounter difficulties. Follow these instructions carefully:
Prepare Your Passport
Remove your passport from any case, cover, or wallet. Open it to the photo page (the page with your photograph). Lay it flat on a hard, non-metallic surface (a wooden or plastic table works best — avoid metal surfaces as they can interfere with NFC signals).
Position Your Phone
Place the back of your phone flat against the passport photo page. The NFC reader is typically located:
- iPhone: At the top edge of the phone, near the camera
- Android: Varies by model — usually in the centre or upper third of the back
Hold Still and Wait
Press the scan button in the app, then hold your phone completely still against the passport. Do not move the phone at all for at least 15 to 20 seconds. The app will show a progress indicator. If the scan fails, try adjusting the phone's position slightly and scanning again. It often takes 2 to 3 attempts to find the optimal position.
Step 5: Complete Facial Recognition
Take a Selfie
After successfully scanning your passport, the app will ask you to take a selfie photograph. This is used to match your face to the photo stored on your passport's NFC chip. For the best results:
- Face a window or light source so your face is evenly lit
- Remove glasses, hats, and face coverings
- Keep a neutral expression
- Hold the phone at arm's length, directly in front of your face
- Ensure the background behind you is plain and light-coloured
Liveness Check
The app may ask you to perform a liveness check — this could involve turning your head slowly, blinking, or moving the phone. This confirms that a real person is present (not a photograph of a photograph). Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
Step 6: Submit and Wait for Confirmation
Review and Submit
The app or website will show you a summary of the new passport details it has captured. Review these carefully — check that the passport number, your name, date of birth, and nationality are all correct. If everything is correct, submit the update request.
Wait for Processing
Processing times vary:
- Most updates: 1 to 5 working days
- Some updates: Up to 10 working days
- Complex cases (flagged for manual review): Up to 15 working days
You will receive a confirmation email when the update is complete. Do not travel internationally until you have received this confirmation.
Verify the Update
After receiving confirmation, sign in at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and check that your eVisa now shows your new passport number. Generate a test share code to confirm everything is working correctly.
After Linking: What to Check
Once your passport link is confirmed, verify the following before travelling:
- Passport number matches: The passport number on your eVisa status page should match the passport in your hand
- Personal details correct: Name, date of birth, nationality all display correctly
- Immigration status correct: Your visa type, conditions, and expiry date are accurate
- Share code works: Generate a share code and check it yourself at gov.uk/check-immigration-status using a different device or browser
If anything is incorrect, contact UKVI before travelling. See our eVisa Troubleshooting Guide for solutions to specific problems.
When You Renew Your Passport
Every time you receive a new passport, you must repeat the linking process. This applies whether you:
- Renewed an expiring passport
- Replaced a lost or stolen passport
- Got a new passport from your home country's embassy
- Changed your name and received a new passport
- Received a replacement passport with a different number for any reason
There is no automatic transfer. Your eVisa does not move to your new passport by itself. You must explicitly update the link each time.
If You Changed Your Name
If your name has changed and you have a new passport reflecting the change, you need to update both your passport link and potentially your immigration record.
Two Steps for Name Changes
- Update your passport link following the standard process above — this links your new passport (with new name) to your account
- Contact UKVI to update your immigration record if the name on your eVisa does not match your new passport. Go to gov.uk/contact-ukvi and explain that you need to update the name on your immigration status due to a name change
You may need to provide supporting documentation such as a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll as evidence of the name change. UKVI will update your immigration record to reflect your new name, and this will then appear on your eVisa status page.
Troubleshooting: When Linking Fails
Passport Chip Cannot Be Read
Solutions:
- Ensure NFC is enabled on your phone (check Settings)
- Remove all cases from your phone and your passport
- Place passport on a non-metallic surface
- Try different phone positions — slowly move across the passport page
- Try a different smartphone if available
- If no phone can read the chip, the passport chip may be damaged. Visit a UKVCAS centre in person for alternative identity verification
Facial Recognition Keeps Failing
Solutions:
- Move to a brighter room with natural light
- Position the light source in front of you (not behind)
- Remove glasses, hats, headscarves (if possible), and makeup that significantly changes your appearance
- If your appearance has changed significantly since your passport photo (weight change, ageing, beard growth), the system may struggle to match. Contact UKVI for alternative verification
Update Submitted But No Confirmation After 10 Days
Solution: Contact UKVI at gov.uk/contact-ukvi or phone 0300 790 6268. Quote any reference number you received when submitting the update. Ask for a status update on your passport link request. If you have upcoming travel, explain the urgency.
Update Rejected
Possible causes: Data mismatch between your UKVI account details and your passport, failed identity verification, or a system flag. Contact UKVI for the specific reason and follow their guidance. You may need to provide additional documentation or attend an in-person appointment at a UKVCAS centre.
Cannot Find the Update Option in Your Account
Solution: Ensure you are signed in at the correct page: gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details. If the option is genuinely not available, it may be because your account type does not support self-service passport updates. Contact UKVI to request a manual update.
The 30 June 2026 Deadline
The UK government requires former BRP holders to create their UKVI account within 18 months of their BRP expiring. Since all BRPs expired on 31 December 2024, the deadline is 30 June 2026.
What Happens After the Deadline?
- Your underlying immigration permission does not expire or change
- However, accessing your digital status may require manual intervention from UKVI
- You may need to attend an in-person appointment at a UKVCAS centre
- Processing times for manual account creation could be significantly longer
- You may face difficulties travelling, working, or accessing services during the delay
The message is clear: do not wait. Create your UKVI account and link your current passport now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I link my new passport to my UK eVisa?
Go to gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details and sign in to your UKVI account. Select 'Update travel document', then use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your new passport's NFC chip and complete a facial recognition check. The update takes 1 to 10 working days.
What is the deadline to create a UKVI account?
You must create your UKVI account within 18 months of your BRP expiring. Since all BRPs expired on 31 December 2024, the deadline for most people is 30 June 2026. After this date, the process may become more complicated and could require in-person verification.
Do I need to link my passport every time I renew it?
Yes. Every time you receive a new passport, you must update your eVisa to link to the new passport number. Your eVisa is tied to a specific passport number. If you travel with an unlinked passport, verification will fail.
How long does it take to link a passport to an eVisa?
The standard processing time is 1 to 10 working days, though most updates complete within 3 to 5 working days. Complex cases can take up to 15 working days. Always start the process well before any planned travel.
What happens if I travel before my passport is linked?
Airlines may not be able to verify your immigration status and could deny you boarding. At UK border control, officers can still verify through biometric data, but this will cause delays. It is strongly advised not to travel until your passport link is confirmed.
My passport linking request failed. What should I do?
Try the process again ensuring good lighting for the selfie and a steady hand for the NFC scan. If it fails repeatedly, visit a UKVCAS centre in person or contact UKVI at gov.uk/contact-ukvi for alternative verification methods.
Can I link my passport from outside the UK?
Yes. The process is entirely online and can be completed from anywhere in the world using the ID Check app. The only limitation is that you cannot visit a UKVCAS centre in person if you need alternative verification while abroad.
I changed my name. Do I need to update my eVisa?
Yes. Link your new passport following the standard process, then contact UKVI to update the name on your immigration record if it does not match. You may need to provide a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll as evidence.