All Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders who have not yet applied for eVisas should do so now. BRP holders do not need to wait for an invitation email from the Home Office. Note that a visa holder who sets up their UKVI account using their BRP card must take a further step to link their current passport to their eVisa. Those who do not could face issues when traveling. The UK’s transition from physical immigration documents to a digital immigration status system is now well underway.
The Home Office stopped issuing BRPs on 31 October 2024. Successful visa applicants now receive eVisas with instructions for setting up or accessing their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accounts. The UKVI accounts allow users to link their travel documents for international travel.
Whether you’re an HR professional managing a diverse workforce or an individual visa holder, the digitalisation programme directly impacts how you handle immigration documentation. Understanding the new system will ensure a smooth transition and help avoid potential travel issues.
Here’s what you need to know about eVisas and the latest developments.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a secure digital record of an individual’s immigration status and visa conditions. From January 2025, eVisas will be the primary way to prove immigration status in the UK.
To access an eVisa, individuals must set up an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and link their passport to this account. Once registered, travellers can enter the UK based on the eVisa information stored in their online account and linked to their passport. While the system is designed to function without physical documentation, we recommend that visa holders carry a printout of their eVisa details in hand luggage as a precaution.
Can anyone get an eVisa?
All immigration status holders, including children, must have individual UKVI accounts. Parents or guardians can manage accounts for minors until they are old enough to do so themselves.
All BRP holders must create a UKVI account and access their eVisa as soon as possible and before their BRP expires. Once expired, they should keep the BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK.
Individuals can use their travel documents, such as a passport, if their BRP is lost or stolen, to create a UKVI account. Individuals without a valid passport may need to undergo a video verification process.
The Home Office no longer offers BRP replacement service. Those who do not have a passport or a BRP card can use a visa application reference number to create a UKVI account. A ‘Request Your Reference’ service is available during account setup to retrieve a lost or forgotten reference number.
Individuals who have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) endorsed into a passport should make a No Time Limit application to be able to create a UKVI account and access an eVisa. There is no cost for this type of application and UKVI are now asking for less documentation than was previously required. Applicants with valid ID documents will need to provide evidence of ILR and the passport used for their most recent UK entry. The application automatically creates a UKVI account, removing the need for a separate account setup. Those without valid documents will have accounts manually created by the Home Office.
Right to Adobe holders
Individuals with the Right of Abode cannot access eVisas. Instead, they must apply for a new Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode, which will be endorsed in their current passport.
Temporary visas for individuals who cannot create a UKVI account from overseas
Those unable to create a UKVI account while overseas and who have no other evidence of their immigration status can apply for a single-entry temporary visa which will allow them to re-enter the UK.
Keeping your eVisa up-to-date
Updating personal information, such as passport details, on the UKVI account is crucial. Failure to keep these details current could lead to travel complications.
Individuals can update personal information such as name, nationality, travel document details, or address through the ‘Update Your UKVI Account Details’ service. Changes to personal details, such as name or nationality, may require biometric re-enrolment at a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.
As highlighted above, if an individual uses a BRP to create their UKVI account, their passport will not be automatically linked to their eVisa. Individuals must link their passports to their accounts to ensure that they will be able to re-enter the UK when they travel internationally.
Reporting an error in eVisa
If an eVisa contains errors, such as incorrect name or immigration status, these can reported through the new eVisa Error Reporting Service. This service also allows users to update their email addresses or mobile numbers for manually created accounts.
Effects of eVisas on employers
Employers must familiarise themselves with the eVisa system and support employees in transitioning to UKVI accounts. Share codes generated in the ‘view and prove’ service allow employers to verify an individual’s immigration status securely.
Proactively assisting employees ensures compliance with right-to-work checks and minimises risks during this transition period.
How We Can Help
If you need assistance communicating these changes to your employees or understanding the new eVisa system, please contact us directly.
By understanding and adapting to the new eVisa system, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient process for managing immigration status. Stay informed, stay compliant, and let us help you navigate these changes effectively.
Original publication date: 8 July 2024
Last updated: 27 November 2024
