This article was updated on 12 December 2024, after the Government announced that BRPs and BRCs can be used to enter the UK until 31 March 2025.
The eVisa roll-out is part of the UK’s plan to develop an entirely digital immigration system.
Millions of individuals have an eVisa already, for example through the EU Settlement Scheme. During 2024, the roll-out of eVisas will expand to replace physical documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRP).
What does the transition to eVisas mean for employers?
The good news is that an individual’s immigration permission is not affected by the transition to eVisa status. The bad news is that if they don’t apply for an eVisa, they may encounter difficulties proving their immigration status for work or travel purposes.
To avoid business disruption, employers should be implementing a communications strategy to notify affected staff that they need to apply for an eVisa. They should also decide what level of support to provide for the application process itself, if any.
What will affected individuals need to do?
To access an eVisa, individuals need to create a UKVI account. This sounds easy, but it actually involves quite a few steps, one of which involves verifying identity using the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app. The Home Office will then link the eVisa to the UKVI account. This can take a few days, but we have heard reports that it is taking a week or two. After that, the individual should receive an email notifying them that their eVisa is available to view online.
There are known technical issues with the eVisa system. Once an eVisa is issued, individuals should carefully check that it contains the correct details (correct photo, immigration status and personal details). They should then print out or save an electronic copy for their records and carry it with them when travelling internationally. Read our eVisa FAQ and eVisa pre-travel checklist for more information.
Who is affected?
The table summarises the position for holders of specific document types and the action the individual should take.
| Document holder | Action required |
| BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024 An individual might have a BRP if they applied to come to the UK for longer than 6 months, extended their visa to longer than 6 months or are settled in the UK. |
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Biometric Residence Permits (BRC) under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) An individuals might have a BRC if they are a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. BRCs have ‘residence card’ printed on them. |
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| Biometric Residence Card (BRC) under European law |
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Passport endorsements such as a wet ink stamp or sticker confirming indefinite leave to enter or remain (ILE or ILR) Wet ink stamps were issued before it was a requirement to possess a BRP. Wet ink stamps remain valid, but action is required to facilitate the move to an eVisa. |
At the time of writing, an individual has two options. Option 1:
Option 2:
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| All other physical immigration documents An individual might have a visa sticker in their passport if they applied for entry clearance to the UK, for a duration of less than 6 months, for example. |
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| If current immigration permission is expiring before 31 December 2024 |
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| British citizens with multiple nationalities who do not hold a valid British or Irish passport |
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| Valid British or Irish passport holders |
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How does an eVisa affect the right to work process?
eVisas require an online right to work check. If you are not sure if a repeat check is required, see our previous article, Quick guide for employers: eVisas and when to perform a repeat right to work check.
What does this mean for individuals who already have a UKVI account?
Individuals who already have and use a UKVI account, for example who have been granted status through the EU Settlement Scheme, should check their UKVI account to ensure their personal information is up-to-date. This includes making sure their email address and telephone numbers are correct. They should also link any new passports to their account.
If an individual has changed their name, nationality, date of birth or sex marker, they should update their UKVI account with these details and link their new passport confirming their changed details while they are in the UK. It is not currently possible to update a UKVI account with changes of this nature when an individual is outside of the UK. An individual who needs to re-enter the UK on a new passport containing a changed name, nationality, date of birth or sex marker should apply through a Visa Application Centre for a ‘temporary visa’. This will significantly complicate and delay their return.
More questions about eVisas?
Here is a selection of useful articles from our eVisa resource bank:
- BRPs and BRCs can be used to enter the UK until 31 March 2025
- eVisa essentials for employers
- UK immigration document phase-out eVisas FAQs
Your people team may wish to prepare internal communications to alert employees of the need to apply for an eVisa. This will help reassure employees that they are supported and may minimise business and/or personal disruption e.g. to international travel. Ask us for a copy of our ‘eVisa toolkit for employers’ and contact a member of our Immigration Team.