eVisa: Q&A
UKVI are developing a digital immigration system: physical documents will be replaced with an online record of an individual’s immigration status, which is called eVisa.
We take a close look at what an eVisa is and answer the most common questions.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.
In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account.
Until the end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one.
Which physical documents will be replaced with eVisa?
The following documents will be replaced:
1) Biometric residence permit (BRP)
2) Biometric residence card (BRC)
3) Passport endorsements – for example, indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
4) Vignette stickers in passports – for example, entry clearance or visa vignettes
The expiry date of my BRP is 31st December 2024: is this the date when my current immigration status expires?
No. This is the expiry date of the BRP document itself. Your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK remain unchanged.
Important note: Updating of any of your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
Shall I replace the BRP, if it was lost, stolen or damaged?
No. The Home Office has confirmed that, as part of the transition to eVisas by the end of 2024, it is no longer possible to obtain a replacement BRP if it is lost, stolen or damaged. However, this still needs to be reported.
Shall I keep my current physical BRP?
Yes. You should continue to carry your physical visa documents with you when travelling internationally until they expire.
After the expiry date, it is recommended to keep hold of your document for your personal records, and to help you with any future immigration applications.
What if I have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme and I hold a BRC?
If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa and you do not need to take any action to obtain one.
You can find details of how to access and use your eVisa (your digital status) in your grant letter or email. You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.
What if I have BRC, but I have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme?
If you have a BRC and you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date.
This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.
To continue living in the UK you should get an immigration status as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen, if you:
are an EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen or their family member
have been resident in the UK since before 31 December 2020
have held indefinite leave to enter or remain under another route since before 31 December 2020
What is a UKVI account and why do I need it?
You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa, share information about your immigration status and conditions (e.g. your right to work or right to rent in the UK) and use the “view and prove service”.
The Home Office is urging anyone with a physical immigration document (BRP or other) to create a UKVI account as soon as possible to convert that physical document to an eVisa.
Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account. You must keep your passport or ID card details up to date in your UKVI account and tell us about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border.
Do children need a UKVI account?
Yes. Everyone must have their own UKVI account. Where a child under the age of 18 is unable to create and manage their own account, a parent, guardian or responsible adult should do this for them.
What are the benefits of eVisas?
The benefits of eVisas include:
they are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document
you will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this
it will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords
For further advice on the eVisa matters, please book consultation: info@jvlegal.co.uk or call +44 (0) 207 112 8035
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