The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status. Production of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), entry clearance vignettes (stickers in a passport which allow entry into the UK) and other stickers in passports has now been discontinued. Non-UK/Irish nationals who apply for a visa will be granted a digital status, known as an eVisa. The confirmation of grant will include instructions on how to create or access a UKVI account, and how to link a travel document to the eVisa for international travel.
Anyone who already holds physical proof of their immigration status (such as a BRP or an Indefinite Leave to Enter/Remain ink stamp or vignette in a passport) must apply for an eVisa before 31 December 2024 to continue to prove their rights in the UK, which include right to work, right to rent and access to UK government services and benefits such as the National Health Service.
Who is affected?
Anyone who currently holds a BRP, Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or any other paper document to evidence their rights in the UK which expires on or after 31 December 2024.
Who is not affected?
You do not need to do anything if you:
- are a British or Irish citizen; or
- do not have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (for example, if you are in the UK for less than 6 months or if you have a status under the EU Settlement Scheme); or
- have a BRP which expires before 31 December 2024 - if you hold a BRP and your permission expires before 31 December 2024, you should apply for an extension to your visa as you normally would, and the eVisa will automatically be created for you upon visa renewal.
Travelling outside the UK between now and 31st March 2025Whilst the transition to eVisas is ongoing, and an eVisa will be required to prove your right to work after 31 December 2024, the Home Office has announced that you can continue to use a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), an EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Card (EUSS BRC) or a vignette sticker in a passport expiring on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel until at least 31 March 2025, as long as your permission itself remains valid. Anyone travelling overseas during the next 3-4 months is advised to:
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Further information
Check the current situation with changes relating to eVisas and register to receive updates whenever this page is amended. The information on the page will be updated throughout 2024.
The Home Office has also provided a means for you to check your eVisa is correct before you travel overseas.
Problems?
There are various ways to deal with any issues you might encounter:
- If you do not have a smart phone, you can use someone else's to create your eVisa account; your data will not be stored on their phone. The mobile you use does not need to have a UK number.
- If you have lost or no longer have access to Home Office reference numbers, you will be directed to a Request Your Reference service when creating your UKVI account.
- If you encounter any problems creating your UKVI account, the Home Office has a dedicated webchat service to assist with all queries.
- If you become locked out of your account, you should contact UKVI.
- If you notice an error with your eVisa such as with your name, photograph or an incorrect status, please report this online.
What you need to do now
Creating a UKVI account
You should create your UKVI account so you can access your eVisa before your BRP expires. Creating a UKVI account is free, straightforward and will not require you to send any documents to the Home Office. You can use either the number at the top right of the front of your BRP card or your visa application reference number to create your account.
If you do not create an account to access your eVisa, you may face difficulties if you need to prove your immigration status.
You should retain your BRP even after it expires, as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK, and you may also want it for your personal records. You can continue to use it until it expires.
If your BRP has been lost, stolen or damaged
You can use your travel document, such as a passport, and your visa application reference number to create your UKVI account.
Production of BRPs has now been discontinued and you can no longer request a new or replacement BRP. Check the guidance on what to do if yours has been lost, stolen or damaged.
If your BRP expires on or before 31 December 2024
- If you plan to extend your permission or switch into a new immigration route, you should apply in the usual way and a UKVI account will be created for you when you apply. You will not receive a new BRP.
- If you plan to leave the UK when your BRP expires, you do not need to do anything.
Travelling
If you travel outside the UK after you have created a UKVI account, but before your BRP expires, please take your BRP with you.
Updating your UKVI account details
Once you have created a UKVI account, you can view your eVisa by logging into the view and prove your immigration status service.
You must keep your details up to date, including the details of your identity document (eg your passport).
Proving your right to work or right to rent after your BRP expires
If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you have created your UKVI account you can log into the following services:
- Right to work: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-online
- Right to rent: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online
You will not need to provide proof of your right to work in the UK to the University if you have already done so.
Please note that you cannot use the 'view and prove your immigration status' service for right to work or right to rent.
If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “EU scheme settlement”
You have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and will already have a UKVI account with a digital status. You should continue to carry your valid BRC with you when you travel internationally.
If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “Family member – EU residence”
If you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies. You will need to apply for a form of permission as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen. Do not travel internationally until you can prove your immigration status.
If you have Indefinite Leave to Enter or Indefinite Leave to Remain ink stamp or vignette sticker in your passport
You will need a UKVI account and digital status to prove your rights in the UK from 1 January 2025.
To start this process, you should make a free-of-charge ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application which helps UKVI to re-establish your identity so that you can create a UKVI account. You will be asked to upload a copy of the document showing your ILR and a copy of your valid passport or travel document showing your most recent entry to the UK as evidence to support the application. Those documents can be uploaded, either remotely or when attending an in-person appointment to enrol biometrics. The application form will ask about your time outside the UK, but you will not need to provide evidence of being resident in the UK for every year you have held ILR.
Your UKVI account will be automatically created when you submit an NTL application.
You can travel while you are waiting for a decision on your NTL application, but you will need to carry your valid legacy document with your passport when travelling internationally.
If you have a vignette sticker under EEA Regulations in your passport
See "If you have a BRC which shows the type of permit as “Family member – EU residence” above.
If you have a vignette sticker in your passport as you are visiting the UK for 6 months or less
You do not need to take any action. Your vignette should cover the duration of your visit and you will not be entitled to, or need, an eVisa. These vignettes will begin to be phased out in late 2025 and will be replaced by the eVisa.
You do not need to do anything.
If you do not have a British passport, you may need to take action in the future. The UK Government will provide more information in due course.
If you do not have a British passport, you may need to take action in the future.
If you have the right of abode in the UK and you still have your BRP, check what you need to do with it after being granted citizenship.