On August 6, the UK Home Office issued new guidance regarding the transition to eVisas. Effective immediately, anyone with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that expires on December 31, 2024, can now apply for an eVisa. Individuals should apply for an eVisa before the expiry date of their BRP. Previously, it was only people who had received an email from the Home Office who could apply.
Key Information about the the UK eVisas Program
- UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. They are replacing physical documents with an online record of an individual’s immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.. This is known as an eVisa.
- The documents being replaced are biometric residence permits (BRP), biometric residence cards (BRC), passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps, and vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes.
- Individuals will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access their eVisa.
- Updating physical documents to an eVisa does not affect immigration status or the conditions of permission to enter or stay in the UK. In the future, individuals will be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK and will not need to carry a physical document, except for a current passport, which must be registered to their UKVI account. Until the end of 2024, travelers will need to continue to carry their physical document when they travel, if they have one.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.