The next phase of the UKVI digitisation plans were implemented on 6th August 2024. From this date, BRP holders are eligible to create a UKVI account, to view their eVisa. If their eVisa isn’t visible on their UKVI account, they don’t need to take any further action. UKVI are expected to email individuals once their eVisa is available to view. Until their eVisa is available to view, a BRP can be relied on as proof of immigration status.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of an individual’s immigration status and the conditions (such as work restrictions) attached to their specific visa / permission to enter and stay in the UK. A UKVI account must be created to access an eVisa.
From 1st January 2025, the UK government plans to implement their full digitisation plans, where all physical immigration documents, including Biometric Residence Permits “BRPs” will be replaced by eVisas.
Upgrading a physical BRP document to an eVisa does not affect an individual’s immigration status or the conditions attached to an individual’s permission to enter or stay in the UK.
The benefits to holding an eVisa:
- It can’t be lost, stolen or damaged
- It’s an efficient, instant and secure way to check / prove an individual’s immigration status
- Allows the visa holder to access services and benefits more easily
From 1st January 2025, when the digitisation plans are due to be in place, visa holders will be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK; visa holders will no longer need to carry a physical document, other than their current passport, which must be registered to the individual’s UKVI account with their eVisa. Until the end of 2024 visa holders will need to continue to carry their physical immigration document when traveling, if applicable.
Who needs an eVisa?
The digitisation plans affect:
- Holders of BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024
- Holders of passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
- Holders of vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
- Holders of ‘legacy paper documents’
The digitisation plans and eVisas do NOT affect:
- British or Irish citizens
- Existing eVisa holders under the EU Settlement Scheme or from using the IDV app
- Right of Abode holders
What is the process to access an eVisa?
Relevant visa holders will need to:
- Create a UKVI account online using BRP and personal details. A passport or visa application reference can be used, if the BRP has been lost
Here is a link to the UKVI website: Create a UKVI account - Confirm ID using the UK Immigration ID Check App
- Link the UKVI account to their eVisa
The process to create a UKVI account is designed to be very straightforward and is expected to typically take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
How will my UKVI account be used?
Once the UKVI account has been created, visa holders will be able to view the details of their eVisa online, which includes:-
- the type of visa they have been issued with
- the visa expiry date
- the conditions of their status in the UK, such as restrictions on employment
Personal information held on the account must be kept up to date, such as the visa holders contact details. It will be particularly important to update new passport details as an eVisa will be linked to the individual’s passport.
What do employers need to consider
Employers are advised to review their HR records to identify their employee population to consider if they need to renew any Right to Work “RTW” checks.
Employees whose manual RTW check was completed before 6 April 2022 against a BRP that expired before 31 December 2024, may wish to renew their RTW check against the employee’s eVisa, when the employee obtains this.
Practical considerations
Before an individual travels, it is recommended they: -
- Double check their eVisa is linked to their current passport
- Double check and update details on their UKVI account, as needed
- Follow UKVI guidance to continue carrying their BRP when traveling up until 31 December 2024, even if they have obtained their eVisa. This is in case some carriers do not have the technology in place to check eVisas before 1 January 2025, when the digitisation plans are fully effective.
Next steps
The deadline to obtain an eVisa is 31 December 2024. We recommend initiating the process to obtain an eVisa as soon as possible so that if any issues arise and additional support is needed to obtain an eVisa, this should allow suitable time to resolve the issue before the deadline.
