eVisas

From 1 January 2025, the Home Office is replacing physical immigration documents, such as BRPs, with eVisas. An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status that can be accessed online via your UKVI account.  It does not change your immigration status, but simply the way that it is evidenced. This forms part of the Home Office's strategy to develop a fully digital immigration system.

Yes.

If you currently hold a BRP, Biometric Residence Card, or other physical immigration document and hold valid leave until after 31 December 2024, and do not already have a valid eVisa you will need to transition to an eVisa before 1 January 2025. Failing to do so by this date will likely result in difficulties when traveling and re-entering the UK. It may also impact your ability to evidence your immigration status to others, such as landlords, employers and other third parties.

Until the end of 2024, you must continue to carry your in-date BRP and valid passport when travelling internationally. 

In the future, you will be able to use your eVisa to travel to the UK. You will not need to carry a physical visa document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your online account.  You must check that your current passport or travel document is linked to your eVisa prior to travel. If you have more than one valid travel document or passports, you should update your UKVI account with all your eligible travel documents. UK Border Force and international air, sea and rail carriers should be able to automatically access your immigration information in the future.

Employers must be aware of these changes and ensure that any staff who hold physical immigration documents take appropriate action. Note that this does not just apply to sponsored workers, but to all staff who hold BRPs and other physical immigration documents.

In some cases, employers may also need to carry out fresh right to work checks on relevant visa holders.

Certain visa holders, such as those who made a successful application under the EU Settlement Scheme, will already have an eVisa. If you already have an eVisa, you should not need a new UKVI account.