Travellers to the UK, get ready for a change! In a significant move towards modernization, the UK government is poised to revolutionize its immigration system by transitioning from traditional paper documents to a fully digital eVisa platform.

This overhaul, set to be implemented in the near future, will see the phasing out of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) in favour of electronic records known as eVisas.

What is a Biometric Residence Permit?

The biometric residence permit is a. residence permit which holds a migrant’s. biographic details (name, date and place of birth) and biometric information (facial image and fingerprints), and shows their immigration status and entitlements while they remain in the United Kingdom.

What’s Changing?

Under the new system, individuals with BRPs set to expire on or after December 31, 2024, will need to familiarize themselves with the process of creating a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisas before the expiry of their BRP.

According to sources within UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the department responsible for visa issuance, the shift to digital immigration marks a departure from conventional paper-based documentation, encompassing various physical documents like;

• Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
• Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)
• Passport endorsements (e.g., indefinite leave to enter stamps)
• Vignette stickers in passports (e.g., entry clearance visas)

What are eVisas?

An eVisa is a secure online record of your immigration status in the UK. It contains details about your permission to enter or stay, including validity and any specific conditions. To access your eVisa, you’ll need to create an account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

How to Transition to eVisas

To make the transition to eVisas, individuals are required to register for a UKVI account. It’s important to note that this conversion does not impact one’s immigration status or the terms of their permit to enter or remain in the UK.

What Does This Mean for Travellers?

The good news: travelling to the UK is about to become more streamlined! Here’s what you need to know:

• After December 2024: If you currently hold a physical document like a BRP, you’ll need to switch to the eVisa system before its expiry date.
• From January 2025: You’ll be able to travel to the UK with just your valid passport registered with UKVI. No need to carry bulky physical documents!

Important Note: If you have a trip booked before the end of 2024, make sure to carry your current physical document as it’s still required for entry.

Who’s Affected

This transition applies to all individuals holding various types of visas, including student visas, graduate visas, family or dependents visas, and work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa (including Health and Care visas).

Travelling with eVisas

In the future, travellers to the UK will be able to rely solely on their eVisas, eliminating the need to carry physical documents. However, until the end of 2024, individuals must still carry their current physical documents when travelling.

Travelling with eVisas will additionally offer the following benefits for travellers:

• Convenience: No more lost or damaged documents! Your eVisa is securely stored online.
• Efficiency: Easier access to your immigration information.
• Security: eVisas are less vulnerable to forgery or theft.

Conclusion

The move towards a digital immigration system represents a significant step forward for the UK, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency for both immigrants and authorities alike. Stay tuned for further updates as the UK government continues to roll out this transformative initiative.