Unable to add identity document on UKVI account (eVisa)

[dmc007]

When I login to update my UKVI account, I'm unable to add identity document (main passport to link to eVisa) even though login is currently setup with that same passport and went through the ID check app to read the chip on the passport (and correctly retrieved the relevant details).

Basically, neither the passport nor the (now expired) BRP are appearing and so I have an empty identity document list. But when I login to view my eVisa, I'm able to view my ILR status retrieved from my BRP and also able to request share codes.

I'm really confused because the passport details are registered and functioning for login purposes and my eVisa status has also correctly pulled through from my BRP record.

My only concern is that with neither document appearing on my identity document list, my eVisa may not be linked to my passport. Is it mandatory to have these linked prior to travel from abroad back to the UK, or are share codes adequate?

Thanks in advance!

[zimba]

https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

[dmc007]

Relevant links:
1. Sign-up to UKVI + link eVisa using BRP: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-u ... GISTRATION
2. Sign-in and update UKVI account: https://update-your-details.homeoffice. ... hat-change
3. View eVisa status and request share codes: https://view-immigration-status.service.gov.uk/status
4. Verify status using share code: https://view-immigration-status.service ... er-details
5. Report error with eVisa: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

Just to summarise what I've done so far:

1. Initially registered last year using link 1 using my BRP as the login document, but didn't proceed with the steps to link eVisa using BRP and ID check app. Then earlier this month tried to link eVisa but system asked me to change my login document from my (now expired) BRP to my valid passport and then link eVisa using my BRP details, which I did along with using the ID check app, reading of the passport chip and taking of facial images plus photo. Thereafter, submitted the BRP number in the form, completed relevant contact details, declarations and submitted the form. Received an acknowledgment email immediately and a confirmation email not long after to confirm I could now access my eVisa online. Even now the sign-in details tab shows my passport (along with its expiry date retrieved from chip reading).

2. Tried to view my eVisa using link 3 above and my settled status appeared fine along with the ability to request share codes. I also tried using a share code on link 4 to see how my eVisa/status appeared to an independent checker, and it all seemed fine and straightforward, hence my eVisa seems ok in this respect.

3. However, when I sign-in using link 2 to check and update my identity documents, I do so using my passport and after login I am able to see my name, DOB, eVisa photo but with:
(i) an Important notification box at the top reading: You cannot add an identity document online. This is because your account was created without an identity document. You need to complete a form and send your new document by post.
(ii) Under Identity Document below my eVisa photo, neither my passport nor my expired BRP are listed (I've seen YouTube videos of others' accounts where these are listed), and instead it reads as: You do not have an identity document linked to your immigration status. If you travel to the UK, you must make sure you have an identity document that is in date and can be used to enter the UK. Check which documents you can use on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab). You cannot add an identity document online. This is because your account was created without an identity document. You need to complete a form and send your new document by post.
I have logged this using link 5 above in hope that someone could help add both my (chip read) passport details and expired BRP details under the Identity Document on link 2.

I'm just trying to understand the following:
1. Does the fact that I login to link 3 using my passport number and my eVisa status appears correctly (and I'm able to request share codes which also work fine using link 4) effectively imply that my passport and eVisa are linked, or do I need both listed under Identity Documents on link 2 for this to be true? After all, link 2 is for my own use and no one else gets this view of my details.
2. If I do need to have both listed under Identity Documents on link 2 before I travel (e.g. if it this step is key for independent authorities to verify my status just by scanning my passport, thereby doing away with share codes), does anyone know how long they are currently taking to resolve issues reported using link 5 above?

Thanks in advance!

[dmc007]

Just had a reply from the eVisa error reporting team who have only confirmed that I have a valid eVisa with simple steps to create a UKVI account and link the eVisa (was already done), view and prove status (already worked) and change details (video only covers email/phone, not identity documents which is the problem).

In short, my problem is I can't see or add my passport or (expired) BRP under Identity Documents, even though I sign in with that very (chip-read) passport and my status pulls through correctly from that very BRP.

I still don't know if this means whether my passport and eVisa are linked !!!

[dmc007]

And I have now also discussed this extensively with the webchat team who have confirmed that the fact that I can login with my passport to view my eVisa essentially implies that the 2 are truly linked, even if my Identity Documents list is empty and actually says I don't have an Identity Document linked to my immigration status...

Webchat agent said that for now I'm good to travel, and in future when I need change my passport (5 years to run before expiry), if the option to add an identity document still hasn't automatically appeared then they will consider escalating, but for now the agent (after consulting a few colleagues) is adamant that my passport and eVisa are linked and I'm good to travel.

I hope airlines and airport authorities concur when I travel to the UK in the summer...

[dmc007]

3. However, when I sign-in using link 2 to check and update my identity documents, I do so using my passport and after login I am able to see my name, DOB, eVisa photo but with:
(i) an Important notification box at the top reading: You cannot add an identity document online. This is because your account was created without an identity document. You need to complete a form and send your new document by post.
(ii) Under Identity Document below my eVisa photo, neither my passport nor my expired BRP are listed, and instead it reads as: You do not have an identity document linked to your immigration status. If you travel to the UK, you must make sure you have an identity document that is in date and can be used to enter the UK. Check which documents you can use on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab). You cannot add an identity document online. This is because your account was created without an identity document. You need to complete a form and send your new document by post.

Important notification box (i) above has now disappeared, with no option now to send physical IDs by post. Under Identity Document (ii) above, I still don't have any document listed and it still says I don't have an ID linked to my immigration status, but it now has an "Add ID" link which it previously didn't. However, when I go through the process of adding my passport using this link, it ends up with an error suggesting my passport is already on the system, which apparently is a more commonly reported problem requiring a ticket to be raised with the UKVI technical team to resolve, so I've done this via their webchat team and am awaiting a response.