eVisas are coming soon

Many migrants will have noticed over the last few years that their biometric residence permits (BRPs) have been issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024. This has sometimes caused confusion, but it is important to understand that this is not necessarily the date that the leave expires: it is the date when the hard-copy permit expires. 

Hard-copy documents (BRPs, vignettes, biometric residence cards, ink stamps) are being replaced by eVisas (virtual visas, you might say) and will no longer be valid after that date. This might seem rather counterintuitive or difficult for some people to grasp, but those who hold leave under the EU Settlement Scheme already hold eVisas, and we are pleased to report that that the system works tolerably well. The EUSS has been around for a few years now and so we already have plenty of experience in this area.

Time marches on, the deadline approaches remorselessly, and readers will be interested to know that the Home Office has now stopped issuing new BRPs. The immigration digital age is nearly upon us, and those who have not yet prepared should do so. 

Those who hold a hard-copy document of any kind (relating either to limited leave or settlement) must convert it to a virtual document, and those who are applying for a new document will of course apply for a virtual one. If you hold settlement evidenced by an ink stamp or vignette you must apply for a No Time Limit (NTL) eVisa.

To access your eVisa you must first of all create a UK Visas & Immigration online account – in some cases the UKVI has already invited migrants to do so by email. But even if they have not invited you, you can still apply now. The application is not particularly difficult but you will need access to the internet and a smartphone – but not necessarily one belonging to you. You will also need an email address and a mobile number. The application is free and can be updated if information changes. 

You can now use your eVisa to travel from and to the UK with your passport. At the border your eVisa will be checked via smartphone. The eVisa is linked to your passport by your passport number, so if you change your passport you will have to get a new eVisa. The Home Office advises migrants to also take their BRP or hardcopy document with them when they leave the UK until 31 December 2024, just in case there any problems or issues. They also advise you – for one reason or another – to keep your old BRP when it has expired. 

So that is the scheme, but we would finish with a note of caution: if you have not got your eVisa in place by New Year’s Day 2025 you may be in difficulties.

If you have any queries about this you are welcome to contact us at GSN Immigration.

Oliver Westmoreland

Senior Immigration Adviser