BY KATHERINE HOULSTON, AFF FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH SPECIALIST
We are really pleased to announce that following months of campaigning and advocacy work, all serving personnel are now able to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and access an eVisa*.
WHY IS AN EVISA IMPORTANT?
The Home Office introduced electronic visas (eVisas) during 2024, phasing out physical biometric residence permits. The vast majority of people in the UK who don’t hold UK nationality now have to provide a ‘share code’ generated through their UKVI account if they want to prove their rights in the UK. These rights include the right to enter the UK, to work, rent a home, drive, open a bank account, use the NHS and so on.
WHY WERE SERVING PERSONNEL NOT ABLE TO HAVE AN EVISA?
Serving personnel have quite a unique status in the UK – they are exempt from immigration control and so different rules apply. Up until March 2026 they were still being given an old style vignette to prove their exemption. This was stuck into their passports on enlistment. Although written guidance said this vignette could be used to evidence rights in the UK, many government agencies and employers were unaware of this and were reluctant to accept it.
WHAT PROBLEMS DID THIS CAUSE DURING SERVICE AND TRANSITION?
AFF was receiving increasing numbers of enquiries from serving personnel struggling to prove their immigration status. They were being questioned by immigration officers at the border after returning from leave or an official visit. Some reported being detained for hours while the relevant checks were undertaken. They were also unable to get second jobs because they couldn’t provide a share code to prove they could work.
AFF was also contacted by serving personnel unable to take the Life in UK test, get a driving licence, or apply for a mortgage. On transition, serving personnel were unable to line up a job in advance of discharge or apply for a private rental.
WHAT DID AFF DO ABOUT THIS?
As the enquiries increased this issue became a priority for the Foreign & Commonwealth team. It was raised at every relevant meeting during 2025, from the COBSEO non-UK cluster to MOD/Home Office meetings and Armed Forces Covenant meetings. Every new enquiry was logged and became part of the evidence base. A brief was then written and sent to interested parties. It became a priority for the Home Office to resolve this issue.
SO HOW DO SERVING PERSONNEL ACCESS THEIR EVISAS?
A step-by-step guide can be found by searching ‘eVisa’ at aff.org.uk but please get in touch with us at fcsupport@aff.org.uk if you are having problems.
WILL EVISAS RESOLVE ALL PROBLEMS PROVING RIGHTS IN THE UK?
Hopefully, but we need you to tell us! We will be monitoring the rollout, particularly in relation to personnel on transition who need to prove their right to work before they are granted their settled status. If you, or someone you know, is struggling to line up a job in advance of discharge because of their status, then please get in touch with us.
* The official term is a ‘digital record of exemption’ as serving personnel don’t have visas.