Site icon Bindmans

Important changes to proving your UK immigration status: update on eVisa guidance

Low angle view of futuristic modern architecture, Skyscraper of corporate office building, Curve shape, 3D rendering.

What you need to know if you have a physical document to prove your UK immigration status, such as a BRP, BRC, vignette sticker or wet ink stamp in your passport.

Most of our existing clients will already be aware that the government is digitalising how individuals prove UK immigration status. This is known as an ‘eVisa’, whereby the UKVI are replacing physical documents with an online record of an individual’s immigration status. This has already been in place for those who have been granted status through the EU settlement scheme and it is now being made available to wider groups.

On 21 March 2024, the government updated their guidance on eVisas. The information is still fairly limited and we break it down here.

The UK government will currently be replacing the following documents with an eVisa:

If you have any of the above listed documents, it is essential that you keep track of Home Office guidance as further information is provided and look out for any correspondence sent to you. The government have confirmed that updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.

Please see FAQs here.

How to get an eVisa

In order to access your eVisa you will need a UKVI account. This is free to create and use. On 15 May 2024, UKVI uploaded a Youtube video to their eVisa website page, demonstrating how to create and use a UKVI account. You can also watch this video here.

UKVI have introduced an eVisa Webchat function which you can use if you encounter problems setting up your UKVI account or getting access to your online status. You can find the Webchat here.

The Home Office have recently started issuing decisions on immigration applications asking individuals to create their UKVI account following their grant of leave. As this is still the transitional period, BRPs will still be issued for those who are granted leave before December 2024, however individuals do not need to wait to receive their BRP to create an account.

Please note: you will need to create your own account. Your personal details need to be attached to your account so that you can keep it updated and only you should be linked to your account.

Important update as of 6 August 2024

The Home Office have released a generic account creation link today. It is essential that those who do not already have a UKVI account, create an account before 31 December 2024. We strongly encourage individuals to create an account as soon as possible and not to leave it close to the deadline.

The link to create an eVisa is here.

If you do not have a Biometric Residence Permit, you will need to apply for one before you can create a UKVI account. Please see further below.

If you are a student or would like information on how this affects student visa holders, please click here for more information.

Home Office to delay eVisa/UKVI account creation deadline (of 31 December 2024)

Whilst there has yet to be an official Home Office confirmation of the delay of the roll-out or bust approach (as of 3 December 2024) it would appear from recent press reports that Seema Malhotra, the Minister, has announced a postponement. It is reported that the Home Office will deliver a programme of communications to airlines and other international carriers to require them to accept immigration documents which will expire on 31 December 2024.

Find out more here


If you have a BRP

Those who were granted leave from 1 January 2020, received a BRP with an expiry of 31 December 2024, even though this is not the expiry of leave. All individuals holding BRPs expiring this year can now create a UKVI account without requiring a link to be sent directly from the Home Office.

If you have a passport endorsement, or vignette sticker

If you have a passport endorsement, or vignette sticker which confirms indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement), you must make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application. If your NTL application is successful, you will be issued with a BRP and then will be able to make an account for an eVisa later this year. You can make this application via this link. Until then, you should continue using your immigration document as normal.

We strongly advise that you keep informed and sign up for updates on the government website.

We will also continue to provide further information on our website as we receive it.

If you have a BRC

Biometric Residence Cards were issued to those who were granted permission to stay in the UK because of their relationship with a family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (EEA).

If you still have a BRC endorsed with any form of leave that has not been granted under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), your leave is no longer valid even if the BRC is not expired. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies. If this applies to you, you may still be able to apply for status under the EUSS, however you will need to provide a valid reason for a late application as the deadline for EUSS applications was on 30 June 2021. In order to make this application, you must also have been living in the UK before the end of 2020.

If you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme and still have a BRC, you do not need to take any action as you should also have an eVisa. If you are not sure that you do have an eVisa, you should make enquiries with the Home Office as soon as possible.

There is currently no information whether any other documents, such as asylum registration cards (ARC), will be digitised.

Benefits to an eVisa

Please see link here for a video prepared by the Home Office on how to travel with an eVisa.

Potential issues with the new electronic system

There are ongoing discussions with UKVI in respect of eVisas and we will continue to provide updates on our website.

Published on 21 March 2024, and updated on 18 April 2024, 1 May 2024, 20 May 2024, 2 July 2024, 22 July 2024 and 6 August 2024.

For more info on our Immigration services, please visit the page here.

Bindmans Immigration News

Tanya Goldfarb speaks to The Observer about the ‘frightening and frustrating’ move to eVisas.

:Bindmans’ Immigration team sign ILPA open letter to Home Office with concerns about eVisas.

Exit mobile version