eVisa and Mortgages - The Complete 2025-2026 Guide

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status in the UK, held on the Home Office's online system. It replaces the physical BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card for most foreign nationals as their primary proof of right to remain in the UK.

The eVisa is not a physical document - it is a data record accessible via the UK Visas and Immigration online account (gov.uk). To share your status with a third party (such as an employer or mortgage lender), you generate a share code from your UKVI account.

Step by step:

1. 1Log into your UK Visas and Immigration account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
2. 2Sign in with your UKVI account credentials (or create an account if you have not done so)
3. 3Select "Prove your immigration status"
4. 4Generate a share code - a 9-character code that allows the recipient to view your immigration status for 90 days
5. 5Provide the share code to your mortgage broker or lender
6. 6The lender uses the share code on the gov.uk verification page to confirm your right to remain

The share code is valid for 90 days from generation. If it expires before the mortgage offer is issued, generate a new one. The process takes approximately 5 minutes online.

Most mainstream and specialist mortgage lenders now accept the eVisa share code as proof of immigration status:

• Halifax, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Santander, Barclays: All accept eVisa share codes
• Specialist lenders (Aldermore, Kensington, Precise): Accept eVisa share codes
• Building societies: Most major building societies have updated their processes to accept eVisa

A small number of lenders were slower to update their systems following the January 2025 eVisa rollout. As of August 2026, virtually all mainstream and specialist lenders have processes for accepting eVisa verification. We confirm the specific lender's verification process before any application.

Common eVisa problems and how to resolve them:

Cannot access UKVI account:

• Reset your password at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
• If account access issues persist, contact UKVI helpline: 0300 790 6268

EVisa does not show correct status:

• This can happen during visa transitions (e.g. after a successful ILR application) where the system has not updated
• Contact UKVI to report the discrepancy and request an urgent update
• The Home Office Resolution Centre can issue a letter confirming status in the interim

Share code not accepted by lender:

• Ensure the share code is current (within 90 days of generation)
• Check the lender is using the correct gov.uk verification page
• If the lender has a technical issue with eVisa verification, we can liaise directly

EVisa not yet issued:

• If you are transitioning from a BRP to eVisa and have not yet received your eVisa, your BRP remains valid for its stated expiry date - lenders should still accept the physical BRP in this transition period

Practical timing advice for mortgage applications involving eVisa:

• Generate the share code at the beginning of the mortgage process - not on the day of application. Some lenders request it at the very first stage.
• The share code is valid for 90 days. For a straightforward mortgage application (8-12 weeks), a single share code usually covers the full process. For longer or more complex applications, you may need to generate a second share code.
• If you are currently in a visa renewal process (BRP expired, awaiting new visa decision), your right to remain is typically protected by the Section 3C leave provisions - but this may not be immediately obvious to a lender's verification system. We advise on how to handle the transitional period.
• ILR and settled status eVisas do not expire - the share code is still limited to 90 days, but the underlying status is indefinite.