UK Immigration: ID Check for Android

What this app does

UK Immigration: ID Check is an official mobile tool from UK Visas and Immigration that lets applicants complete the identity portion of a visa application remotely. The app is free to download, contains no paid add-ons, and works across a range of modern smartphones and tablets. Using it can shorten the overall application timeline by removing the need to visit an in-person centre for the identity check.

Who will benefit

• People applying for UK visas, whether for temporary stays or settlement, especially those who prefer to avoid scheduling an appointment.
• Non‑EU, non‑EEA and non‑Swiss nationals applying for a graduate visa: a biometric residence permit (BRP) or a biometric passport (with an embedded chip) is required and this app handles the biometric capture.
• Applicants with newer devices that meet the app’s hardware requirements and who want a quicker, phone-based alternative to office visits.

Before you start

Make sure you complete the online application form steps that pertain to biometrics before opening the app. Also ensure your device is capable of communicating with identity-document chips (many phones do this via NFC or equivalent hardware) and that the camera is functional and has permission to be used by the app.

Biometric capture — the typical flow

• Perform a live face scan using your phone’s camera so the app can verify your facial biometrics.
• Use your device to read the embedded chip in your passport or BRP to extract the document data.
• Photograph the identity document (for example, the passport biodata page or BRP card).
• Take a clear selfie that will be used to generate your digital immigration status record.

After these steps the app will indicate any further actions needed to continue your application.

Privacy, compatibility and stability

The developers state personal data is not retained on the device or within the app once the session is complete; however, that behaviour depends on up‑to‑date hardware and operating systems, so older phones may not support the same protections. Some users have reported intermittent crashes that require repeating parts of the process, so ensure your device is fully charged and has a stable internet connection before starting.

Advantages and limitations

• Advantages: Faster identity checks without visiting an office, no cost, and no in-app purchases; supports many current devices; integrates document and biometric capture in a single workflow.
• Limitations: May be incompatible with older phones; occasional reliability issues reported by users; certain visa routes still require specific biometric documents (BRP or biometric passport) which you must possess.

If you meet the device and document requirements, this app can make the identity step quicker and more convenient than attending an in-person appointment.