Immigration Corner | How to update eVisa through a UKVI account

Dear Mr Bassie,

I would like to know how to update my United Kingdom eVisa through my UKVI account. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

HH

Dear HH,

An eVisa is a digital record of someone’s identity and immigration status, for example, the type of visa that is held or if he/she has indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the United Kingdom (UK). It also provides the conditions of a persons’ status, for example, if they are allowed to work or study in the UK. It is worth noting that eVisas are now replacing physical immigration documents.

UPDATING DETAILS IN A UKVI ACCOUNT

Persons should keep their personal details and passport or travel document information up to date so that the details are correct when they view their eVisa and/or get a share code to prove their immigration status. It is also essential to keep it updated so that they can travel with their current passport or travel document.

Please be aware that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can contact the holder, for example, a person may be waiting for a visa decision or to have their documents returned. Please note that if the UKVI account is not up to date, the holder might experience delays when travelling or when waiting for a visa decision.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED

Persons should update their UKVI account if they change their:

• Passport or travel document

• Name

• Mobile phone number

• Email address

• Home address

• Postal address

Persons cannot change their name or their passport or travel document if he/she is waiting for a visa application decision.

It should be further noted that persons can also:

• Correct their date of birth

• Add or change a nationality, for example he/she may have dual nationality

• Add another passport or travel document

• Change their photo, for example, if their appearance has changed and they cannot be recognised from the current photo

UPDATING DETAILS

Persons will need the details they use to sign in to their UKVI account. This could be any of the following:

• Passport

• National identity card

• Biometric residence card – this can be valid or expired

• Expired biometric residence permit

• UKVI customer number

Those persons will also need access to the mobile phone number or email address they use to sign in to your UKVI account. If updating a name, date of birth or nationality, then persons will need an identity document that proves that it has changed.

Please note that this service can only be used to update UKVI account details. Persons cannot update any immigration details, for example, a visa or a citizenship application.

WHEN PERSONS CANNOT USE THIS SERVICE

There is a different way to update details if the person does not have an identity document that shows their new name, date of birth or nationality.

Those persons should report an error with the eVisa if:

• The details on the eVisa are wrong – for example it shows the wrong name or immigration status

• The Home Office set up the UKVI account and it is inaccessible.

UPDATING DETAILS FOR SOMEONE ELSE

If managing a UKVI account for someone else, persons whom it belongs to should update the account with their email address and phone number when either:

• They become able to manage their own account

• They reach 18 years old

Persons cannot use this service if they have access to a UKVI account because they had helped someone apply for a visa. The named persons need to update their own details.

Just for completeness, it should be noted that persons can get help to recover their UKVI account if they are having problems signing in. They can contact UKVI online if they have other questions about their UKVI account or eVisa and they can also watch eVisa support videos.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com