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A concise guide to the form for accompanying an eVisa, including when it is issued, collection and travel with a non-standard identity document.
01
The FAV is connected to an eVisa, not a substitute for it.
From 1 July 2026, successful applicants generally receive digital immigration permission without a visa vignette. Official guidance states that a person who did not apply using an acceptable identity document may receive a form for accompanying an eVisa as well as the eVisa.
The form, when linked to the eVisa, allows travel to the UK using the relevant document. The eVisa remains the record of status and conditions.
02
Collection is a separate practical step.
Where a visa application centre retained the applicant’s passport or travel document, it should contact the applicant when the document is ready. A person issued with a FAV must return to the centre to collect it before travelling.
Decision email, collection message, eVisa details and the identity document should be checked together. Do not assume that a successful decision alone means every travel document has been released or linked.
03
Errors on both records require a coordinated report.
UKVI's eVisa error page distinguishes an error on the digital record from an error affecting both the eVisa and the form accompanying it. The correct contact route should be used so the physical and digital records are considered together.
Because the FAV exists for a limited document scenario, replacement, loss or a later document change can raise different questions from an ordinary passport update. Resolve those questions before booking inflexible travel.
Working checklist
Questions before the next step.
- Read the decision email in full
- Confirm whether a FAV will be issued
- Wait for the visa application centre's collection notice
- Check the FAV and eVisa details together
- Carry the relevant identity document
- Report linked physical and digital errors correctly
Primary sources
Rules and official guidance.
Reviewed 5 August 2026. Check the current provision and complete facts before relying on this resource.
How to use the source record
Verify the current instrument, commencement date, transitional position and caseworker guidance against the application date and complete facts. The source may change after this resource was reviewed.
Questions
Points that commonly alter the answer.
Does every eVisa holder receive a FAV?+
No. Most successful applicants receive an eVisa only. Official guidance identifies the FAV for applicants who did not use an acceptable identity document for the application.
Can I travel before collecting the FAV?+
Where a FAV has been issued because it is needed with the eVisa, official guidance says it must be collected from the visa application centre before travel.
Is a FAV the same as the former visa vignette?+
No. It accompanies and links to the eVisa for a particular identity-document situation. It should be understood with the digital permission and the current official guidance.
Continue within this subject
Keep identity, status and travel evidence aligned.
A valid immigration decision can still produce a practical failure where the UKVI account, passport, carrier record or share code does not correspond.
Initial position review
Move from general information to the facts that control the answer.
Quastels can identify the route, evidence, risk and next decision through a concise initial assessment.
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