Is your BRP expiring on the 31st December 2024 when you still have leave to remain in the UK after this date?
Its because from January 2025, eVisas will take the place of hard copy immigration and visa documents.
What is an eVisa?
A persons immigration status and the terms of their authorisation to enter or remain in the UK are recorded digitally on an online platform known as a “eVisa.” This means, by the end of 2024, whatever physical documentation you or the employees you work with may have to show your immigration status; will be replaced by an online digital record.
Which documents are getting replaced?
eVisas will replace,
- Biometric Residence Permits (“BRP”).
- Biometric Residence Cards (“BRC”).
- Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes.
- Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter, wet ink stamps.
Who is affected?
UK Visas & Immigration (the Home Office) has announced that it will notify anyone who have the above documentation, which may specify an expiry date of December 31, 2024, to apply for an eVisa online. UKVI has already sent emails to a few document holders. The UK government stated in June 2024 that if the appropriate applicant has not received a call from the Home Office regarding an eVisa, they do not now need to apply for one since they will be informed in due course.
Individuals with indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement) must take action if they currently establish their visa status using a tangible document other than a BRP or BRC, such as a wet-ink stamp in their passport or a vignette sticker. To receive a BRP, they must first submit a “no time limit” application. They can register a UKVI account to finish the process as outlined below if they have a BRP and the Home Office requests that they access an eVisa.
Applicants seeking visas under the EU Settlement Scheme are already in possession of digital documentation attesting to their immigration status. Thus, there is nothing you need to do to obtain a new eVisa.
Citizens of the United Kingdom or Ireland: Individuals with a British or Irish passport who do not require an eVisa or other steps should proceed without doing so. Their position in the UK will remain attested to by the passport.
Dual nationals: For an individual who is a British citizen and also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or has the right of abode in the UK and does not have a British passport, then the Home Office may be in contact in due course to access an eVisa. As of June 2024 the UK Government has confirmed it will update its web page to confirm.
Once requested by the Home Office to access an eVisa, what happens next?
The applicant must create a UK Visas and Immigration account online. This is known as a “UKVI” account and can be created here.
The BRP number or application number must be entered to proceed with the UKVI account creation. It will have been automatically created during the visa application process and a copy of it should have been sent to the applicant by the Home Office via e-mail or post.
Once the applicant has received a confirmation email that the UKVI account has been created, they will need to verify their identity via a smartphone or laptop using the UK immigration ID check app, found in the Google Play store or Apple App Store.
Finally, the applicant will access the UKVI account and link it to the request to access the eVisa, declare the information is correct and submit it. When the eVisa is ready to view the applicant will be notified by email. The eVisa must then be linked to the identity document used to create the UKVI account. If the individual is planning to travel outside the UK, they should check that their current travel document is linked to the eVisa before they travel.
The applicant will then be able to view their e-Visa and share the immigration status with third parties, including employers and landlords.
If the applicant has any questions about accessing the eVisa they should consult the immigration support page.
Keeping your UKVI account up to date
It is essential for visa holders to keep their UKVI account up to date with their current passport or travel document details.
Companies engaging e-visa holders are advised to remind impacted staff that they must notify the company immediately of any changes in personal circumstances, passport and/or travel document details.
The UKVI account should be checked periodically to ensure it is displaying the correct information.
What if the applicant has not heard anything from the Home Office for several months?
The UK Government confirms that it will contact applicants over the “summer” of 2024. Therefore, if in doubt and no correspondence has been received by September 2024, it would be advisable to contact the Home Office to ensure that the process remains in place as intended.