The UK's transition to a fully digital immigration system — eVisas — is now largely complete. Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) expired on 31 December 2024, and all immigration status is now evidenced online through the Home Office online service. For UK employers, this changes how you conduct right-to-work checks, how you verify a new hire's status, and how your sponsored workers prove their right to be in the UK. This guide covers what employers need to know about the eVisa system in 2026.
What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is not a physical document. It is a digital record of a person's immigration status, held on the Home Office systems and accessible online. The worker accesses their eVisa through a UKVI account, and they generate a Share Code to prove their status to employers, landlords and service providers.
BRP cards — the physical credit-card-sized documents that workers used to carry — are no longer issued and existing ones have expired. The eVisa has replaced them entirely.
What This Means for Employers
Three Key Changes
1. Right-to-work checks are now online-only for most sponsored workers. You use the gov.uk online service with a Share Code provided by the worker. You can no longer rely on a physical BRP.
2. Workers must have a UKVI account. If your existing sponsored workers have not set one up, they need to — they cannot prove their status to banks, landlords or new employers without it.
3. You must save the online check result. A screenshot or downloaded PDF of the right-to-work check confirmation, dated, is your evidence. Physical BRP copies in your files are no longer valid proof.
What to Do If a Worker Shows You a Physical BRP
Do not accept a physical BRP as proof of right to work. BRPs expired on 31 December 2024. Even if the card shows a future expiry date, it is no longer valid for right-to-work purposes. Always use the online check via Share Code instead.
Share Codes — How They Work
The Share Code Process
1. Worker logs into gov.uk 'Prove your right to work' service
Using their UKVI account credentials.
2. Worker generates a Share Code
Valid for 90 days. Can be regenerated as needed.
3. Worker gives the Share Code and their date of birth to the employer
Usually via email or in person.
4. Employer checks the code on gov.uk
The 'Check a job applicant's right to work' service confirms status, restrictions and expiry.
5. Employer saves the result
Screenshot or PDF download. This is your statutory excuse evidence.
Common eVisa Issues Employers Face
Five Issues to Watch For
• Worker has not set up a UKVI account — they cannot generate a Share Code until they do
• Share Code expired (they last more than 90 days) — worker needs to generate a new one
• System shows a different status than expected — could be a processing delay or a status change the worker hasn't disclosed
• Worker has multiple immigration applications in progress — the system may show interim status
• The online system is occasionally unavailable — if this happens on the check date, document the attempt and complete the check as soon as the system returns
For Existing Sponsored Workers
If you have sponsored workers who obtained their visa before the eVisa transition, ensure they have:
Action Items for Existing Workers
• Created a UKVI online account and linked their immigration record
• Generated at least one Share Code to confirm the system works
• Disposed of their expired BRP card (or retained it as a personal memento only — it has no legal force)
How Recruitroo Handles the eVisa Transition
Recruitroo's onboarding workflow includes eVisa setup guidance for every new international hire. We prompt the worker to create their UKVI account, generate their first Share Code, and share it with the employer — all tracked in our platform. For existing sponsored workers, we can flag anyone who has not completed the transition.
Need to update your right-to-work process for eVisas?
We can audit your current records and set up eVisa-compliant right-to-work workflows for your whole team.
Get a QuoteSee Client StoriesThis guide reflects the UK eVisa system as of May 2026. Home Office digital immigration processes continue to evolve.