In this blog post, we will explain what eVisas are, when the new digital system will come into effect, why the UK is changing to a new system, and how the online system will be accessed and used.

If you have noticed your BRP card expires earlier than you remember on 31 December 2024, don’t panic. This is the expiry date of your physical card, not the date your leave to remain in the UK expires. All BRP cards are set to expire at the end of 2024 to make room for the new digital system being implemented for 2025. Instead of having physical documents to prove your right to remain in the UK, you will have access to an eVisa.

What are eVisas?

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status in the UK which will replace the use of physical documents such as BRP cards. They will hold information about the conditions of your visa and permission to enter or stay in the UK. For example, they will show whether you have the right to work or rent in the UK.

They will also be linked to your passport so they can be used at the UK border to prove you are allowed to enter and remain in the UK.

When are we changing to an online eVisa system?

The government plans for the online eVisa system to be fully implemented from 1 January 2025.

The transition to the digital system has already begun with individuals being contacted by the Home Office and invited to create a UKVI account to access their eVisas.

How do I access my eVisa?

To access your eVisa, you will need to create a UKVI account.

The Home Office have been contacting individuals with existing leave in the UK to invite them to set up their account. However, you can now set up your UKVI account even if you have not been directly invited to do so – you no longer need to wait to be contacted by the Home Office. You can do this by following this link.

The Home Office is also including instructions on how to set up a UKVI account in their decision letters for successful applications. So, individuals being granted new leave to remain in the UK should receive further information about setting up a UKVI account at the time their application is granted.

If you are unsure about how to create your UKVI account, help is available through the Home Office’s eVisas webchat or you can receive assisted digital support over the telephone or in person.

What do I use my UKVI account for?

Once you have set up your UKVI account, you will be able to do a variety of different things using the ‘view and prove’ service:

• View details about your current leave in the UK, including the type of permission you have, expiry date of your leave in the UK, and the conditions of your stay.
• Update your personal details, such as addresses and contact details.
• Share your immigration status with third parties, such as employers and landlords, by generating share codes.
• Prove your immigration status at the UK border when travelling.

What are the possible issues with the transition to eVisas and a digital system?

By transitioning to a fully digitalised system, the government is hoping for a more secure, convenient, and streamlined way of viewing and proving your immigration status at the UK border and to other third parties.

However, some people have voiced concerns with the upcoming transition to a digital system as it strongly relies on technology which could be affected by glitches and errors, and it is not yet fully tested.

Therefore, whilst the new system is being implemented, we would recommend taking some precautions when travelling in case any unforeseen issues arise.

Whilst your BRP remains valid, we suggest continuing to take this with you when travelling, even if you already have access to your eVisa. Once your BRP has expired, you might want to consider taking proof of your visa status with you when travelling, such as a copy of the decision email/letter for your most recent grant of leave.

Taking these precautions will help avoid issues with entering the UK in the event that there are any difficulties whilst the system is getting up and running.

Need further assistance?

If you have further questions about this, or anything else regarding UK immigration, feel free to contact us and we will let you know how we can help. You can also visit our fees page to find out more about the services we offer.