The Home Office’s introduction of the ‘eVisa’ and how will this impact you:
The home office is developing a digital immigration system known as an eVisa. Those who have been granted some form of leave (including indefinite leave to remain) in the last year or so will have noticed that their Biometric Residence Permit (‘BRP’) card is only valid until 31 December 2024 despite the leave being granted to them being much longer. The reason behind this is that the Home Office are phasing out physical BRP cards and instead moving to a digitised system. EEA Nationals who were granted pre-settled or settled status under the EUSS Settlement scheme following Brexit will already be aware of the new digitised system.
The documents being replaced are:
- Biometric residence Permits (BRP)
- Biometric residence cards (BRC)
- Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
- Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
Since 2018, millions of individuals have received an eVisa online, for example through the EU Settlement Scheme
How will the new system be different to the current one?
Currently when a person is granted a visa in the UK, they are issued with a BRP card which confirms the type of visa they hold and the date it expires among other things. Also, where someone is granted a visa from outside the UK, they are often issued with a vignette sticker in their passport which allows them to enter the UK within a specific time period and they are then required to collect their BRP card from a selected location (such as a post office) once in the UK.
Why are the Home Office making these changes?
The introduction of the eVisa is another component in the Home Office’s wider move to a more digitised immigration system. Some of the changes which have already been brought in include replacing the paper applications forms with an online application and submission system. The way in which decisions are issued by the Home Office has also changed, with most decision now being issued via email.
Having already implemented the eVisa system for those granted status in the UK under the EUSS Settlement scheme, the Home Office consider there to be numerous benefits in using this new system, including:
- Not needing to carry any physical documents other than just the passport when travelling in and out of the UK
- The security it offers as the system cannot be tampered with, unlike a physical document
- It will remove the need to wait for or to collect the BRP card following the grant of an application
- It will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border
What do you need to do?
For now, there is nothing to do if you have a physical document to prove your status in the UK, such as a BRP card. However, going forward, you will need to create an UKVI account once the system is launched in 2024. The UKVI account will allow you to view and prove your status in the UK and see your eVisa too. Through the view and prove service, the UKVI account will also allow you to share information about your visa with third parties, such as employers or landlords by generating a share code.
For those that already have leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain in the UK by the time the system is launched, they will simply need to create the UKVI account and their eVisa will be ready to be viewed in the view and prove service.
How do I create a UKVI account ?
For Holders of a Biometric Residence Permit - If you hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that's set to expire on 31 December 2024, there are a few steps you should be aware of to ensure a smooth transition. Firstly, if you've received notification via email or a decision letter to create a UKVI account, follow the instructions to set up your account and access your eVisa. If you haven't received any communication yet, you'll have the opportunity to create your account and access your eVisa later in 2024. Be sure to sign up for updates on the Gov.uk page to stay informed about when you can proceed. Nevertheless, we will keep you inform of any updates.
NTL Application for Settlement Proof- If you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK (commonly referred to as settlement) and currently validate your status with a physical document such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, it's essential to consider making a 'No Time Limit' (NTL) application. This process is crucial for those needing to update their status proof. Following the success of your NTL application, you will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which will serve as your official document for international travel and for proving your rights in the UK. Once you obtain your BRP, you will be eligible to create a UKVI account to access your new eVisa.
For Holders of a Biometric Residence Card (BRC)- If you hold a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) and have already been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you have an eVisa. No further action is required to convert your status; your eVisa is already active and accessible. You should continue to carry your BRC when travelling internationally as proof of your status. However, suppose your BRC was not issued under the EU Settlement Scheme, or you have not secured another form of immigration leave or British citizenship. Your BRC may no longer be valid after the UK's departure from the EU. In this case, it is imperative to secure a confirmed immigration status promptly.
The importance of keeping the UKVI account up to date
One thing that you will need to be wary of once you have created the UKVI account is to keep all of the information updated. This includes any changes in identity information such as your name and also details of a passport where a new one is obtained. If the information on the UKVI system does not match that on the physical passport when re-entering the UK, it could cause issues and delays at the border. If any changes in the details of the passport have not been processed by the UKVI system by the time you travel, the Home Office advise carrying your old passport as well as the new to make the re-entry into the UK seamless.
Some important things about the eVisa to take away:
- You will need to create an UKVI account once the system has been launched;
- You will need to ensure that information on that account is up to date and accurate (it will be necessary to record any changes of name or details of new passports); and
- Make sure that you stay abreast of all new updates in 2024.
It is inevitable that when the new system is launched, there will be some technical issues where conditions of the visa may not be conferred correctly or within a reasonable timeframe. This could cause disruptions and therefore it is important to make sure to stay abreast of all updates on this new system.
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