UK Starts Electronic Visa Rollout

Name: UK Starts Electronic Visa Rollout | IaM (Immigration and Migration) | UK
Uploaded: 2024-04-17T16:00:00+00:00
Description: Good news for UK visa holders! You can say goodbye to physical documents and hello to the future of UK digital

Good news for UK visa holders! You can say goodbye to physical documents and hello to the future of UK digital visas.

The UK government is launching a major digital immigration initiative to transition visa holders from physical documents to eVisas.

The rollout of digital status is the next stage in the government’s plan to digitalise the immigration system and streamline border control and immigration processes for everyone.

From April 17, 2024, visa holders in the UK will receive an email from the Home Office, inviting them to create UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisa. Invitations will initially be issued in phases.

An eVisa is securely linked with the holder’s biometric information to protect against identity fraud.

Physical documents like biometric residence permits (BRPs) will gradually fade away in the UK with most BRPs expiring at the end of 2024. The Home Office has pledged that by 2025, practically all visa holders in the country will be able to acquire an eVisa.

eVisas can be accessed in real-time from anywhere, empowering individuals to manage their data efficiently and update the Home Office with relevant information promptly.

Transition To eVisa

The UK government says the process is straightforward for people who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

Creating a UKVI account will not change, impact or remove people's current immigration status or their rights in the UK, the Home Office says.

People who already have an eVisa don’t need to do anything as the Home Office will automatically make the change but they should continue to update their UKVI account with any changes to personal information such as new passport or contact details.

The process is free, something which will come as a relief for UK visa holders who have seen costs rise rapidly in recent years amid a changing system of rules that requires applicants to prove higher earnings.

When Travelling Overseas

Visa holders are advised to continue to carry their in-date physical immigration documents with them when they travel internationally until they expire.

To avoid delays when travelling, individuals who already have an eVisa should tell the Home Office about any passport on which they intend to travel using the online ‘Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ service on GOV.UK, if this is not already linked to their account.

eVisas can be accessed anywhere and in real-time, putting people in control of their own data and allowing them to swiftly update the Home Office with new contact or passport details.

The eVisa also allows government departments to check a person's immigration status to determine their eligibility for access to public services.

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