Check Visa Status – How to View Your UK Immigration Status Online
Knowing how to check your UK visa status is essential whether you are tracking a pending application or proving your existing rights. The UK has moved to a digital system, meaning your immigration status is now primarily accessed online through a UKVI account. There is no single public portal that shows a live decision for pending applications, but several official methods exist for both applicants and third parties.
The process differs depending on whether your application is still being processed or has already been decided. For pending applications, you rely on commercial partner portals and email notifications. For decided cases, you use the official GOV.UK service to view your eVisa and generate share codes.
This guide explains the three main methods for checking your status: signing into your UKVI account, using a share code, and tracking with a UAN number. Each serves a different purpose and is relevant at a different stage of your immigration journey.
How to Check Your UK Visa Status Online
The official way to check your UK visa or immigration status is through the GOV.UK “View and Prove Your Immigration Status” service. This service gives you access to your full eVisa record, including your right to work, rent, and study.
Check your full immigration status, view your eVisa, and generate share codes.
A temporary code to prove your status to third parties like employers or landlords.
Use your Unique Application Number to track the progress of a visa application.
Your digital immigration status that replaces the biometric residence permit (BRP).
- The UK government is moving fully to digital eVisas by 2025; physical documents are being phased out.
- Checking your status online requires a UKVI account; many people don’t know they already have one.
- Share codes are valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times within that period.
- The UAN number is primarily for tracking pending applications, not for viewing settled status.
- Most common errors occur when users do not have the correct login details or use an old email address.
- UKVI sends decisions and appointment confirmations via email, so checking your inbox and spam folder regularly is important.
- Significantly delayed applications can be escalated by contacting UKVI directly via phone or paid email enquiry.
| Method | What It Shows | Who Can Use It | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| UKVI Account (online) | Full immigration status, eVisa, right to work/rent | The individual | Ongoing (as long as account is active) |
| Share Code | Prove right to work, rent, or status to third parties | Third parties with code + DOB | 90 days from generation |
| UAN Number | Track visa application progress | Applicant who applied | Until application decision is final |
| eVisa | Digital proof of immigration status | The individual | As long as visa is valid |
What is the official GOV.UK service for checking immigration status?
The official service is called “View and Provide Immigration Status” on GOV.UK. It is the only authoritative way to check your UK immigration status online. You can find it by searching for the eVisa page on the government website.
How to sign in to your UKVI account
Go to the “View and Provide Immigration Status” service on GOV.UK and click “Start Now.” Select the document you used for your visa application, usually your passport. Enter your document reference number and date of birth. If you don’t have your reference number, use the “Request your reference” service. You may need your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) number or your Home Office reference number (UAN or GWF). Choose a security code method sent to your contact details, enter the code, and you are logged in. Once inside, your immigration status and eVisa details will be displayed.
What information do you need to check your status online?
You need either your BRP number or your Home Office reference number, which is also called your UAN or GWF. Your date of birth is also required. Passport number alone is not sufficient to check your status through the official service.
Can you check someone else’s immigration status online?
Yes, but only if that person gives you a share code. The service at check-immigration-status allows employers, landlords, and others to verify someone’s immigration status using their share code and date of birth.
How to Check Your Immigration Status Using a Share Code
A share code is a temporary code generated from your UKVI account that allows third parties to verify your immigration status online. It is a secure way to prove your right to work, rent, or access services without sharing your full immigration record.
What is a share code and how do you get one?
A share code is a combination of letters and numbers generated from your UKVI account. To get one, log in to your UKVI account, click “Prove your Status” below your details, select “Something Else,” then “Preview what the checker will see,” and click “Continue” to generate the code.
You can generate a share code even if you do not have a specific request from an employer or landlord. It is useful to have one ready for when you need to prove your status quickly.
How to use a share code to prove your status to an employer or landlord
Give the share code and your date of birth to the person or organisation that needs to verify your status. They visit gov.uk/check-immigration-status, enter the share code and your date of birth, and the system displays your immigration status. This method protects your personal data because the checker only sees the information relevant to their inquiry.
How long is a share code valid?
A share code expires after 90 days from the date it is generated. After it expires, you must log back into your UKVI account and generate a new one.
What if you lose your share code?
If you lose your share code, simply generate a new one from your UKVI account. The old code is no longer valid. There is no way to retrieve an expired or lost code once it is gone.
How to Check Your Visa Status with a UAN Number
The UAN (Unique Application Number) is a 16-digit number assigned to visa applications made within the UK. It is a key reference for tracking the progress of a pending application, but it is generally not used to check status after a decision has been made.
What is a UAN (Unique Application Number)?
The UAN is a 16-digit number found in your visa application confirmation email. It serves as a unique identifier for your application. For applications made outside the UK, the equivalent number is the GWF number, which is 9 digits long.
Where to find your UAN on your visa application
Your UAN is included in the email confirmation you receive after submitting your visa application. It may also appear on any correspondence from UKVI regarding your case. Some sources mention a payment reference or “paguen reference” as an alternative identifier.
Step-by-step: using UAN to track a pending visa application
To track a pending application, log in to the commercial partner portal where you booked your appointment, such as VFS Global or TLScontact. Select “Track Application” and enter your GWF number (for applications outside the UK) or UAN (for applications inside the UK). The portal shows administrative movement, such as receipt by UKVI, transfer to the decision-making centre, and return of your passport.
No official public portal shows real-time decision status for pending applications. The commercial partner portals only display administrative movement, not the actual decision. You must rely on email notifications from UKVI for the decision itself.
Is the UAN method valid for all UK visa types?
Yes, the UAN method works for most UK visa types, including student visas, spouse visas, and work visas. However, it is only relevant while the application is being processed. After a decision is made, you should use your UKVI account to view your eVisa.
How to Access and Prove Your eVisa Status
The UK eVisa is your digital immigration status that replaces the physical biometric residence permit (BRP). It shows your identity and the rights you have in the UK, such as the right to work, rent, or claim benefits.
What is a UK eVisa?
Your eVisa is an online record of your immigration status. It is not a physical document. Once your visa is granted, you no longer receive a physical vignette (stamp) for most routes. Instead, you access your eVisa through your UKVI account. As the GOV.UK eVisa page explains, “Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status. This includes what rights you have in the UK, for example to work, rent or claim benefits.”
How to view your eVisa online
Log in to your UKVI account through the “View and Provide Immigration Status” service on GOV.UK. Once logged in, your immigration status and eVisa details will be displayed. You can view your full record, including any conditions or restrictions attached to your stay.
How to generate a share code from your eVisa
From within your UKVI account, click “Prove your Status” below your details. Select “Something Else,” then “Preview what the checker will see.” Click “Continue” to generate the share code. The code is a mix of letters and numbers. You can then give this code to any third party who needs to verify your status.
Common issues when accessing your eVisa
Many users encounter errors because they do not have the correct login details or are using an old email address. If your UKVI account shows an error or no data, contact the UKVI contact centre or use the online form to report a problem. Have your BRP or visa reference number ready.
What to do if the UKVI account shows incorrect status is not clearly documented. Some users report that their status appears incorrect or outdated. In such cases, contacting UKVI directly is the recommended course of action.
When Should You Check Your Status: A Timeline
Knowing when to check your status depends on which stage of the visa process you are in. The table below outlines the key periods and what actions are relevant at each stage.
- Before applying: No status to check; prepare your documents and gather the information you will need for your application.
- During application processing: Track your application using your UAN or GWF number through the commercial partner portal. Check your email inbox and spam folder regularly for updates from UKVI. If significantly delayed, contact UKVI directly.
- After approval (eVisa issued): Set up or log in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa. Generate a share code for third-party verification. Update your personal details if needed.
- Ongoing maintenance: Check your status periodically to ensure your information is correct. Renew your share code as needed (it expires after 90 days). Update any expired documents, such as your passport.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About UK Visa Status Checking
While many aspects of the UK visa status checking process are well-established, some points remain subject to change or lack clear documentation.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The official GOV.UK service is the only authoritative way to check UK immigration status. | Whether the eVisa system will fully replace all physical documents by late 2025 or early 2026. |
| Share codes expire after 90 days and must be regenerated. | What to do if the UKVI account shows incorrect status — the remedy process is not clearly documented. |
| UAN numbers are assigned to every visa application and can be found in confirmation emails. | Whether the UAN number can be used to check status after a decision is made (generally not). |
Understanding the Shift to Digital Status
The transition to eVisas is part of the UK’s digital border strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on physical documents like the Biometric Residence Permit. The share code system is designed to simplify third-party verification while protecting personal data, as only relevant information is shared. Many users confuse the UAN number with a visa status tool, but it is only for tracking active applications. The US visa status check, available through the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov, is a completely separate system — users should not mix up the two processes.
What the Official Sources Say
The GOV.UK eVisa page states: “Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status. This includes what rights you have in the UK, for example to work, rent or claim benefits.” The GOV.UK service for checking someone’s immigration status adds: “Use this service to check someone’s immigration status if you have their ‘share code’. It expires after 90 days.” Independent legal sources confirm that to check your UK immigration status, you must sign in to your UKVI account through the GOV.UK “View and Prove Your Immigration Status” service.
What Comes Next for UK Visa Status Checks
By 2026, the UK plans to phase out Biometric Residence Permits entirely, meaning all immigration status will be digital. Users should keep their UKVI account login details secure and ensure their email address is up to date. Employers and landlords will increasingly rely on share codes instead of physical documents. The UK Immigration: ID Check app, available on platforms like Google Play, may be updated to offer more status-checking features in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a UK visa status check and an immigration status check?
UK visa status typically refers to a pending application, while immigration status covers your existing rights, such as settled status or leave to remain.
Can I check my visa status using my passport number?
No, the official UK services require your UKVI account login or a share code. Passport number alone is not sufficient.
How do I check my spouse visa status UK?
Use the same UKVI account or UAN number depending on whether the application is pending or decided.
What if my UKVI account shows an error or no data?
Contact the UKVI contact centre or use the online form to report a problem. Ensure you have your BRP or visa reference number.
Is checking visa status online free?
Yes, the GOV.UK services are free. Only third-party services may charge a fee.
Can I track my UK visa application in real time?
No official public portal shows real-time decision status for pending applications. Use commercial partner portals for administrative movement and rely on email for the decision.
What is a GWF number?
A GWF number is a 9-digit reference number given for visa applications made outside the UK. It is used for tracking purposes.
How do I find my Home Office reference number?
Your Home Office reference number is also called your UAN or GWF number. It is found in your visa application confirmation email.
What happens if my share code expires?
If your share code expires, you must log back into your UKVI account and generate a new one. The old code will no longer work.
Can employers check my visa status without a share code?
No, employers and landlords must use the share code system to verify your immigration status online.
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