Switch to UK eVisa Before Year-End: What You Need to Know

The UK Home Office is phasing out physical immigration documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and visa vignettes, in favor of a digital system known as eVisa.

Here’s what you need to do before the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

An eVisa is a digital proof of immigration status in the UK, enabling employers, landlords, and educational institutions to verify your status easily.

Non-UK and non-Irish nationals with visas valid beyond December 31, 2024, whose BRPs expire on this date need to transition to online eVisa and it's completely free. There are no consequences for failing to transition to an eVisa by 2025 but not transitioning may result in delays when confirming your immigration status in the UK.

Once the system is fully implemented, only British and Irish nationals will continue using physical proof of immigration status.

Who Needs An eVisa

If you currently use a physical document to prove your immigration status in the UK, you need to switch to eVisa.

The documents being replaced are:

Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) expiring on 31 December 2024
Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)
For Holders of Indefinite Leave to Enter/Remain
Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes

If you use a physical document (e.g., a wet-ink passport stamp or vignette), make a free “No Time Limit” (NTL) application to replace it with a BRP.

If everything proceeds as planned, from 1 January 2025, an eVisa will be mandatory for international travel. With an eVisa, traveling abroad will become more seamless, as UK Border Force and international carriers (air, sea, and rail) can automatically access your immigration details through your UKVI account to verify your travel permission.

Switching to an eVisa offers enormous advantages, especially in terms of security. Unlike physical documents, eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, granting a more secure way to manage your immigration status.

Take action now to ensure a seamless transition to the digital era of UK immigration!

How to Get Your eVisa

Visit gov.uk/eVisa and create a UKVI account.
Use your BRP number, Unique Application Number (UAN), and a valid passport or ID to apply.
Confirm your identity using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app.
Follow the instructions to link your UKVI account to your eVisa.

You need to download the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app on a tablet, smartphone, or laptop to confirm your identity before filling out a short application form to link the UKVI account to an eVisa.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child with physical immigration documents, you can apply on their behalf.

If you need assistance in setting up your eVisa, contact IaM.

Have you switched your BRP/BRC to UK eVisa? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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