Here’s what you need to know to avoid being denied boarding when you return to the UK – if you have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme*
The Home Office has confirmed that, from 25th February 2026, carriers, such as airlines, will check your UK immigration status before travelling. This process should happen automatically at check-in, when you specify your passport number.
This means that you must travel with a valid passport, which must be linked to your immigration status.
If the automatic check doesn’t work, you might be required to prove your immigration status.
This means that you must have access to your digital status.
We recommend taking these simple essential steps before you travel:
1. Check that you have access to your status (also referred to as evisa or UKVI account)
Your status is digital. It means that you can only view and prove it online.
Go to: https://www.gov.uk/evisa/view-evisa-get-share-code-prove-immigration-status to access your account.
You must have independent access to it, through your own email address/phone number, or that of a trusted person. If you have applied with the help of someone else, update your personal details now.
If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number used to make the application, contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre for assistance.
2. Update your log-in details
When renewed or changed, you should always update your passport details, email address, phone number (not necessarily a UK one), and your home address (even outside of the UK).
Go to: https://www.gov.uk/evisa/update-ukvi-account to update your details.
3. Update or add the ID document you are using to travel
If you’ve recently renewed your passport or ID card, you need to update your UKVI account and add the new document to your status. You should upload a picture of it.
Go to: https://www.gov.uk/evisa/update-ukvi-account to update your details.
4. Generate a share-code and note it down
Go to https://www.gov.uk/evisa/view-evisa-get-share-code-prove-immigration-status to access your digital status. Click on “generate share code” (a mixed 9-digit letter code). The code is valid for 90 days, then you simply have to create a new one.
You must provide this code to the person requesting to see your digital status, such as at the check-in desk.
5. Check our new step-by-step guide on accessing your status
Our guide helps you to access and view your digital status, generate a sharecode and prove it, and update your personal details. A confident computer or smartphone user, such as a family member or friend, can help you go through this guide.
6. If you cannot access your status, or see an error, contact the Home Office EU Settlement Resolution Centre right away.
- by phone at 0300 123 7379 (or +44 300 790 6268 if calling from outside the UK)
- online web chat: https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/euss
Some more important information:
- If you are an EU citizen with an EUSS status, you can also travel with your electronic ID card, but this also needs to be added to your online account.
- When you renew your passport, always keep a copy of the old one. You will need it to access your digital status to change your details. Once your details are updated, you will access your status with the new passport number.
- If you are planning to apply for settled status soon, but you have recently renewed your passport, update your account by adding your new passport before you apply for settled status.
- You cannot update your document details while the application is pending. In case you renew your document while your application is pending, travel with a copy of your old document or another document linked to your status. Follow the above precautions and generate a share-code.
- If you have pre-settled status and recently applied to upgrade to settled status, you can still travel in and out of the UK, with the above precautions and generating a share-code.
- If you have a valid pending application and you hold a Certificate of Application (COA), you can still travel. Check your COA to see if you have the right to travel. Generate a share-code before travelling.
- If you have pre-settled or settled status, you do not need to apply for an ETA.
If you are a dual British/EU national
As a British citizen, you must be able to prove your British nationality when travelling back to the UK. This means that you should travel with a valid British passport, or a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (a vignette placed in a foreign passport).
In practice, if you don’t have one, applying for a British passport is significantly cheaper and far more straightforward than applying for a Certificate of Entitlement. It also makes travel and proof of status much easier.
You can continue to use your EU passport to travel outside of the UK.
*This information is for EUSS status holders only. If you hold another type of visa, check the gov.uk website for further information: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control.
If you are planning to visit the UK as a tourist, you may need to apply for an ETA to travel: https://www.gov.uk/eta.
If you are unsure, check if you need a visa to enter the UK: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
