Transition to online immigration status (eVisa)

The Home Office is continuing to roll out the next stage of its digital immigration system and the replacement of physical documents.

From 6 August 2024, anyone with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), Biometric Residence Card (BRC), old passport stamps or vignette stickers confirming their UK immigration permission is able to apply for an eVisa.

Individuals will need to apply for an eVisa before 31 December 2024 to ensure that they can continue to evidence their right to live, work and/or study in the UK and travel in and out of the UK smoothly.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of an individual’s current UK immigration status and the conditions of their immigration permission to enter or stay in the UK. The holder will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access their eVisa.

In the future, an individual’s UK immigration permission will be fully digital without the need to carry any physical documents, except for their current passport.

When can I apply for an eVisa?

The Home Office confirmed that as from 6 August 2024, all BRP holders with an expiry date of 31 December 2024 and other affected groups mentioned above, are now able to apply for an eVisa.

How do I apply for an eVisa?

Applying for an eVisa is free and a straightforward three stage process.

Firstly, you will have to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This will include entering details of your current, valid passport.

For the second stage, you will need to confirm your identity using the UK Immigration: ID check app.

After identity verification, the final and third stage is to complete questions on a short application form to link your UKVI account to your eVisa.

Once you have completed these three steps, you should receive an email within a few days from the Home Office confirming that your digital eVisa is ready to access.

Is my BRP still valid?

Most individuals with a BRP or BRC will have one with an expiry date of 31 December 2024. The Home Office issued document will remain valid up to this date. From 1 January 2025, everyone is expected to have a digital status.

To be clear, the expiry date on a BRP or BRC is not the expiry date of an individual’s UK immigration permission. The current UK immigration permission expiry date is detailed in the Home Office correspondence received when their application was approved.

Can I travel overseas using my existing BRP?

Until 31 December 2024, Home Office advice is to still travel with your BRP as well as your current passport. However, from 1 January 2025, you will have to use your eVisa to travel to the UK and you will only need to travel with your current passport.

What do I need to be aware of for the future?

You must make a note of your current UK immigration permission expiry date so that you do not overstay in the UK.

Your eVisa will be linked to the passport in your UKVI account so it will be important to keep your UKVI account updated with any changes to your passport details. The Home Office also intends that carriers (including airlines) will be able to access the immigration status of travellers on their services. As long as your passport is updated in your UKVI account, your UK immigration status can be easily verified by carriers and on entry to the UK.

I need to extend my current UK immigration permission before the end of the year, what do I do?

The Home Office recommends proceeding as normal and following the usual application process. Information and guidance will be provided during or after the application process should there be a need to create a UKVI account.

What do I do if I don’t have a BRP or BRC but hold UK immigration permission?

Affected individuals are likely to hold indefinite leave to remain in the UK which is only evidenced by a paper document (e.g an Indefinite Leave to Remain stamp or vignette in a passport). The Home Office’s advice is to make a ‘No Time Limit’ application to replace the documents with a BRP, before you can set up a UKVI account and obtain an eVisa. We would be happy to advise on the options available.

We would encourage affected individuals to take steps to obtain your eVisa as soon as possible, to prevent any delays or issues when travelling in and out of the UK in the New Year.

If you have any queries about your current UK immigration status or applying for an eVisa, please do not hesitate contact the Doyle Clayton Immigration team.