There are several different ways that a person can confirm their immigration status in order to show that they can access public funds and other services.
Most people who are granted leave to remain in the UK will only be able to access their immigration status (eVisa) online, although some people can still use an immigration document to confirm their immigration status.
When a person does not have an eVisa or immigration document, it should not be assumed that they are not lawfully present without making further enquiries. This is particularly important if immigration status is relevant when determining a person's eligibility for a service.
A person's entitlements will be shown on their eVisa, such as whether they can work and access public funds (benefits and local authority housing assistance).
A person can access their eVisa through their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and obtain a share code in order to allow organisations to confirm their immigration status or entitlements.
The Home Office provides a list of government departments and statutory organisations that can access a person's eVisa directly without the need for the person to provide a share code.
Councils using NRPF Connect or the RTPF checker will be able to instantly look-up an immigration status when a person has an eVisa.
To maintain access and manage their eVisa, the person must:
When a person has pre-settled status or a pending EU Settlement Scheme application, their eVisa will state that they can access public funds. However, they will need to meet an additional 'right to reside' test in order to qualify for certain benefits or local authority housing assistance.
Some people, such as people seeking asylum and people with historic grants of indefinite leave to remain, will not have an eVisa.
Examples of documents that a person may have to evidence their immigration status include:
A person who has an old indefinite leave to enter or remain stamp or vignette in their passport will need to make a free no time limit (NTL) application to the Home Office before they can create an eVisa account. If they have spent a more than two years outside of the UK in a single period or have been subject to deportation proceedings, they will need to get immigration advice before making the NTL application, as their indefinite leave may have lapsed or been revoked.
Biometric residence permits (BRPs) are no longer issued by the Home Office.
The following people will be lawfully present in the UK but may not have any documentary or online evidence of their permission to stay:
If a person does not have an eVisa or document to confirm their immigration status, further investigation into their circumstances must be undertaken to establish if they may have immigration permission. It should not automatically be assumed that a person is without lawful status if they do not have an eVisa or immigration document.
If a person does not appear to have permission to stay in the UK, they will need to be signposted to an immigration adviser and our information about immigration options.
A person who has lived in the UK since before 1 January 1988 may be lawfully present in the UK, so will need to be signposted to an immigration adviser to find out if they can evidence their immigration status by applying to the Windrush scheme.
Page updated: 16 July 2025
