IMMIGRATION STATUS
DO YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION?
BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE CARDS ARE BEING REPLACED BY eVISAS
Anyone with a biometric residence permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024 can now create their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisa. The Home Office had previously been advising people to wait to be notified before creating their account.
We now encourage everyone with a BRP that expires on 31 December 2024 to go ahead and create their UKVI account.
If you currently use a physical immigration document, such as a biometric residence permit (BRP), or legacy paper document such as a passport containing an ink stamp or a vignette sticker you will now need to take action to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
It is free, and straightforward for those who hold physical immigration documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. You can watch the video below, or to start the process to create your account here.
Details of how to do this are also available at www.gov.uk/evisa.
Legacy document holders with settled status, including holders of passports containing ink stamps or vignette stickers are encouraged to make a ‘No Time Limit’ (NTL) application at www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replace-visa-brp, which currently provides successful applicants with a BRP with which they can prove their rights. They will be able to use this BRP to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
Later this year, the No Time Limit (NTL) process will provide successful applicants with a UKVI account and access to their eVisa, rather than providing a BRP.
Updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect a your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
You can download the eVisa stakeholder factsheet here
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an electronic record of a person’s immigration status. It removes the need for physical documents such as the biometric residence permit (BRP), passports containing a visa vignette sticker or immigration ink stamps, or the biometric residence card (BRC). This video explains what is an eVisa.
How to create a UKVI account
There are 3 steps to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. This short video will show you how to create your account and tell you what you need to do it.
You will need the following to set up your UKVI account:
- Smart phone , laptop, Internet
- Identity Document
- BRP or Application Number
- Date of Birth
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
- Access to UK Immigration ID Check App
How to travel with your eVisa
The UK is going digital with eVisas, making international travel easier by replacing physical documents like biometric residence permits and vignette visa stickers.
This video, will guide you on how to travel with your eVisa, ensuring a smooth journey to the UK.