UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is developing a digital immigration system. This means they are replacing physical documents with an online record of someone's immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.
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
By 2025, almost all physical immigration products and services will be replaced with a digital record of a person’s immigration status called an eVisa. This will allow them to prove their right to work in the UK by generating a share code.
UKVI implemented a phased roll out of eVisas over 2024 by invitation only to certain visa groups.
From August 2024 any employee who has a physical immigration document, like a BRP, which expires on or before 31 December 2024 (i.e. those who do not already have a UKVI account) are encouraged to take action and create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This should be done before the expiry date of the BRP.
This change impacts migrants already living and working in the UK, and from autumn 2024, almost all UK new visa applicants will be issued an eVisa. Those with visas who are already in the UK should visit the GOV.UK website to find out what they need to do to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
British and Irish citizens can continue to evidence their rights as they currently do, for example by showing their British or Irish passport.
If an individual has another document that is being used as evidence of permission to stay in the UK and has indefinite leave to enter or remain, for example a stamp in a passport, an application will need to be completed to replace the existing document with a BRP. Once the BRP has been created, it will be possible to create a UKVI account to access the eVisa.
Individuals with a BRC who have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme already have an eVisa.
Individuals with a BRC who have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or have not become a British citizen, will have an invalid BRC, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.
Updating a physical document to an eVisa does not affect the immigration status or the conditions of the persons permissions to enter or stay in the UK.
The full guidance on eVisas is available on the GOV.UK website. Videos on what an eVisa is and how to create a UKVI account are now available on the GOV.UK website.