Reminder: eVisa 31st December Deadline is Fast Approaching

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is overhauling the way that the UK’s immigration system works. They’re creating an entirely digital system, which will replace physical documents with an online record and database.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP), you must create a UKVI account and get access to your eVisa before 31st December 2024.

This short blog explains why this is so important, and how the process works.

What are UK eVisas?

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status in the UK. The plan for the new, digital UK immigration system is for these eVisas to replace physical immigration documents.

This means eVisas will replace:

• Biometric residence permits (BRPs)
• Biometric residence cards (BRCs)
• Passport endorsements, including things like ILR stamps
• Vignette stickers in passports, such as visa vignettes or entry clearance

This is why, if you’ve received a BRP recently, it likely has an expiration date of December 31st 2024 even if you have permission to remain beyond this date.

UKVI has created a short video to explain what an eVisa is if you’re still unsure.

Why Do I Need an eVisa and a UKVI Account?

It’s extremely important that you apply for a UKVI account before the end of the year because physical documents are being replaced.

Creating an account means you can save your immigration status through your eVisa. In the future, you’ll need to use this eVisa to show your immigration status and important information like how long you can stay in the UK, and your right to work. You will also need to be able to access this information when travelling back to the UK.

You can create a UKVI account and access your eVisa as soon as you’ve been contacted by the Home Office.

If you’ve not yet been contacted don’t worry – you don’t need to do anything yet. Wait for the Home Office to contact you later in 2024. You are free to attempt to register at any point however, so this might be worth doing periodically to ensure that you have not missed any communication from the Home Office.

Creating an account is free, and can be done online here. You’ll need to provide the following information:

• Your date of birth
• Your BRP number
• Your passport (if you don’t have a BRP)
• Access to an email address and a phone number
• Access to a smartphone

UKVI has created another useful video on how to create an account and view your eVisa if you need help.

What Do I Do After I’ve Created a UKVI Account and Got an eVisa?

After making your account, you can access your eVisa at any time to check your immigration status.

You’ll be able to update key information like your contact details. You should also remember to update your passport or ID information if it changes in the future, as your eVisa is linked to your passport.

Please remember that eVisas don’t replace passports. You must still carry your passport with you when travelling abroad and entering the UK.

If you’ve been asked to prove your immigration status by your employer or a landlord, you’ll be able to do so using what’s called a share code. More information about this can be found on the gov.uk website.