Change is afoot; physical immigration and visa documents issued in hard copy are being replaced by eVisas ahead of January 2025.
What is the eVisa?
The “eVisa” is an online digital record of a migrant’s immigration status and conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. This means that if you, or the staff you engage, have a physical document to prove immigration status, this will be replaced by a digital online record by the end of 2024.
Note that a visa holder’s current immigration status will not be affected by the system moving online. Put simply, the eVisa will be the online record of what the physical documentation provided.
Once eVisa access has been granted the applicant will be able to sign into the view and prove service. This can then be shared with third parties.
Which physical documents are being replaced?
eVisas will replace:
- Biometric Residence Permits (“BRP”).
- Biometric Residence Cards (“BRC”).
- Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes.
- Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter, wet ink stamps.
Who is impacted?
UK Visas & Immigration (the Home Office) has confirmed that it will be in contact to request that the individuals who hold the above documentation, which may confirm an expiry date of 31 December 2024, apply for an eVisa online. UKVI and has reached out to some document holders already by email. As of June 2024, the UK Government noted that if the relevant applicant has not been contacted by the Home Office to access an eVisa, they do not need to make an application to do so at the current time as they will be notified in due course.
However, action is required for individuals with indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement), who currently prove their visa status through a physical document that is not a BRP or BRC, such as a wet-ink stamp in their passport or a vignette sticker. They must first make a “no time limit” application to obtain a BRP. Once they have a BRP and are then requested to access an eVisa by the Home Office, they will be able to create a UKVI account to complete the process as set out below.
Existing digital proof: Individuals who applied for their visa through the EU Settlement Scheme already have digital proof of their immigration status. Therefore, no action to access a new eVisa is required.
British or Irish citizens: British or Irish citizens holding a British or Irish passport do not need an eVisa and do not need to do anything further. The passport will continue to prove their status in the UK.
Dual nationals: For an individual who is a British citizen and also a national of another country (other than Ireland), or has the right of abode in the UK and does not have a British passport, then the Home Office may be in contact in due course to access an eVisa. As of June 2024 the UK Government has confirmed it will update its web page to confirm. Watch this space.
Once requested by the Home Office to access an eVisa, what happens next?
The applicant must create a UK Visas and Immigration account online. This is known as a “UKVI” account and can be created here.
The BRP number or application number must be entered to proceed with the UKVI account creation. It will have been automatically created during the visa application process and a copy of it should have been sent to the applicant by the Home Office via e-mail or post.
Once the applicant has received a confirmation email that the UKVI account has been created, they will need to verify their identity via a smartphone or laptop using the UK immigration ID check app, found in the Google Play store or Apple App Store.
Finally, the applicant will access the UKVI account and link it to the request to access the eVisa, declare the information is correct and submit it. When the eVisa is ready to view the applicant will be notified by email. The eVisa must then be linked to the identity document used to create the UKVI account. If the individual is planning to travel outside the UK, they should check that their current travel document is linked to the eVisa before they travel.
The applicant will then be able to view their e-Visa and share the immigration status with third parties, including employers and landlords.
If the applicant has any questions about accessing the eVisa they should consult the immigration support page.
Keeping your UKVI account up to date
It is essential for visa holders to keep their UKVI account up to date with their current passport or travel document details.
Companies engaging e-visa holders are advised to remind impacted staff that they must notify the company immediately of any changes in personal circumstances, passport and/or travel document details.
The UKVI account should be checked periodically to ensure it is displaying the correct information.
What if the applicant has not heard anything from the Home Office for several months?
The UK Government confirms that it will contact applicants over the “summer” of 2024. Therefore, if in doubt and no correspondence has been received by Q3 2024, it would be advisable to contact the Home Office to ensure that the process remains in place as intended.
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