The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) announced in October 2023 that they will be replacing all physical documents with an online record of a person’s immigration status. The digital immigration system will be known as an eVisa.
FAQ on the eVisa
- What is an eVisa?
- What UK Immigration Documents Will the eVisa Replace?
- Why is my Biometric Residence Permit only valid till 31 December 2024?
- Benefits of the eVisa
- When am I eligible to enable my eVisa?
- Steps to Enable to Your eVisa
- What if I don’t have a BRP, and only a vignette sticker in my passport?
- How do get a UKVI Account and an eVisa
- How Breytenbachs can help you
- Other Related Links
What is an eVisa?
The eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status. It will show the conditions of a person’s permission to stay or enter the UK.
In the future, a person will be able to use their eVisa to travel to the UK, together with their physical passport. However, until then, you will need to carry the physical document, if you have one, together with your passport.
What UK Immigration Documents Will the eVisa Replace?
The eVisa will, in future, replace the following:
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP),
- Biometric Residence Cards (BRC),
- Passport endorsements, and
- Vignette stickers in passports.
Why is my Biometric Residence Permit only valid till 31 December 2024?
Many clients are very concerned that their Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are only valid till 31 December 2024, although their leave to stay in the UK is beyond that date.
Firstly, the date on the Biometric Residence Permit will not affect a person’s immigration status, their right to work, access to services, benefits, or travel. The Home Office is replacing the BRPs with the new eVisa. The Home Office is planning to replace all BRPs with the eVisas by 31 December 2024.
Benefits of the eVisa
It will make it easier to prove your status at the UK border. It will also be easier to share your status with landlords and employers. Your immigration status will thus be available online and accessible from around the world.
The UK Government says that it will also mean that a person no longer has to wait for or collect a physical document after an application is finalised. However, you might still need to provide biometric information in person. They also believe that the eVisa will be more secure, as it cannot be tampered with or stolen.
When am I eligible to enable my eVisa?
Unless you have received an email from the Home Office it may not be possible to create your account or view your eVisa yet.
Persons who currently have permission to stay in the UK and have a BRP, BRC or other physical documents to prove their immigration status do not need to take any action, unless instructed by the UK Government. They will provide updates throughout 2024 on when a person needs to register for a UKVI account and what they need to do.
So, unless you have received an email from the Home Office it may not be possible to create your account or view your eVisa yet.
Steps to Enable to Your eVisa
You will receive an email from the UK Government with steps on how to enable your eVisa. If you have not received such an email yet, it might not be possible to create your account or view your eVisa yet.
Steps to enable your eVisa:
To access your eVisa, you must create a UKVI account. You can do so at this link – https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa.
You will need the following information to create your UKVI account:
- Your date of birth
- Your BRP Number
- Your passport (if you do not have a BRP)
- Access to an email address and phone number
- Access to a smartphone
The UK Home Office has a video that shows how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
What if I don’t have a BRP, and only a vignette sticker in my passport?
Some clients who have Indefinite Leave to Remain only have proof of this through a physical document. Such proof might be a wet-ink stamp or a vignette sticker in their passport.
In such cases, the Home Office recommends that the person apply for a ‘No Time Limit’ (NTL) application. As soon as your application is approved, you will receive a BRP card. Get in touch with Breytenbachs for assistance to apply for your NTL application.
You will then have to use your BRP, along with your passport, when you travel outside the UK. You will also be able to create your UKVI account as soon as you have a BRP, which will allow you to access your eVisa online later in 2024.
How do get a UKVI Account and an eVisa
If you have already been contacted by UKVI to create an account, you can follow the instructions they have sent you to create your account.
Once a person has been instructed to register for their UKVI account, they will be able to view and prove their immigration status online. They will also be able to share their immigration status with third parties to prove their right to work or rent in the UK. This will be done by generating a share code.
The UKVI will automatically share a person’s immigration status with other government departments and public authorities.
If you have a Biometric Residence Permit and have not yet been contacted about creating an account you will be able to create your account and eVisa later in 2024.
How Breytenbachs can help you
It is important to note that the UK Government will provide updates on the eVisa. They will reportedly do this in the coming months and throughout 2024. You will be told when you need to register for a UKVI account and what you need to do.
If you currently have permission to stay in the UK and have a BRP, BRC or other physical documents to prove your immigration status, you do not need to take any action now.
Breytenbachs will update clients as more information becomes available. You are also welcome to speak to your Breytenbachs consultant for more information.
Please also watch the Home Office video that shows how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
