With the UK Government looking to phase out all physical immigration documents by the end of the year and transition all immigration status holders onto digital immigration permission (an “eVisa”), many employers are receiving queries from their workforce about the forthcoming change. Our Global Mobility & Migration team answers the 10 most frequently asked questions from affected individuals, to help employers guide them through the new process.
An eVisa is an online record of an individual’s UK immigration status—and any conditions which apply to it—which is linked to an individual’s passport. It can be viewed by logging into the View and Prove Service using a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
eVisas are replacing physical immigration documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (“BRPs”). All those who hold physical immigration documents, whose immigration permission is due to expire after 31 December 2024, will be required to register for a UKVI account before the end of the year in order to access their eVisa. This change is not affected by the recent UK election.
The UK Government has already issued eVisas to European Economic Area nationals who applied under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as to some non-visa nationals applying under certain immigration categories. It intends to roll out eVisas to all nationalities and immigration categories by the end of 2024, to coincide with the fact that all BRPs will expire by 31 December 2024.
The UK Government has begun e-mailing BRP holders with instructions on how to register for a UKVI account. It intends to continue sending out invitations in phases before making the registration service available to all BRP holders in Summer 2024.
Those who have not yet received an e-mail do not need to do anything at this stage as the UKVI account registration process will soon be opened to all.
No. If your BRP expires before 31 December 2024, this means that, unless you hold indefinite leave to remain (also known as permanent residence or settlement), your UK immigration permission expires on the date your BRP expires.
If you plan to remain in the United Kingdom, you will need to apply to extend your UK immigration permission at the appropriate time. Once this application has been approved, if you are issued a BRP and your immigration permission expires after 31 December 2024, you should then be able to register for a UKVI account.
If you currently hold a physical immigration document, such as a BRP, you will need to continue to carry it with you if you travel internationally on or before 31 December 2024, even if you have registered for a UKVI account and obtained an eVisa.
After 31 December 2024, since your eVisa is linked to your passport, all you should be required to do when traveling to the United Kingdom is present your passport to your carrier before boarding. They will then access a system to verify your UK immigration status, provided the passport you present is linked to your UKVI account.
When you arrive in the United Kingdom, you will be required to present your passport, either at an eGate or to a UK Border Officer. Your status will then be checked against your UK immigration records.
You will need to log into your UKVI account to generate the appropriate share code, which gives time-limited access to your immigration status, and provide it to the relevant authority or organisation, such as an employer or landlord/agent, together with your date of birth.
Since your eVisa is linked to your passport, when you obtain a new passport, you must log into your UKVI account and update your passport details.
You will also need to update your UKVI account if there is a change to your personal details, such as if you move address or change your telephone number or e-mail address.
Those who have previously applied for immigration permission using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check mobile App’ will already have a UKVI account. If you are not sure if you already have a UKVI account, you can either View or Prove Your Immigration Status or refer to the e-mail which confirmed the grant of your UK immigration permission.
The latest information on eVisas is available at the UK Government's eVisa site.
Mayer Brown is a global legal services provider comprising associated legal practices that are separate entities, including Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP (a Hong Kong limited liability partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership) (collectively, the “Mayer Brown Practices”). The Mayer Brown Practices are established in various jurisdictions and may be a legal person or a partnership. PK Wong & Nair LLC (“PKWN”) is the constituent Singapore law practice of our licensed joint law venture in Singapore, Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP operates in temporary association with Johnson Stokes & Master (“JSM”). More information about the individual Mayer Brown Practices, PKWN and the association between Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP and JSM (including how information may be shared) can be found in the Legal Notices section of our website.
“Mayer Brown” and the Mayer Brown logo are trademarks of Mayer Brown.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.