Digitalisation of the UK border: EVisas - Migrants' Rights Network

The rollout of eVisas has begun. The Home Office is aiming to replace all physical documents with eVisas in 2025.

Please note: the Government ceased issuing new BRPs on 31st October 2024.

The Home Office has sent emails to all those with physical immigration documents, called biometric residence permits (BRPs), inviting them to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access an eVisa. This is digital proof of their immigration status.

As part of the Government’s strategy to fully digitise the UK border by 2025, the Home Office is switching from physical immigration to documents to eVisas. This accompanies the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors on short-term visas.

Digital status was first introduced for people on select visas, including the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and the Hong Kong BN(O) visa, but started being expanded to all migrants, regardless of which visa they are on, from April 2024. This transition was expected to be completed on 31st December 2024, however the Government has since pushed it back to 31st March 2025.

How will this affect my proof of status?

Instead of sharing physical visa documents, like a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or Permit (BRP), proof of status will be shown by signing in to the ‘View and Prove’ service. This service is also accessible if someone has a Certificate of Application for a certain visa route.

In order to prove right to work or rent, people will be able to generate a share code, where an employer or landlord will be able to check the individual’s name, immigration status, and any dates or conditions for their visa’s validity. This is shared through View and Prove.

What else changes?

People will have to upload a new photo of themselves every 5 years if under 16 and every 10 years if 16 or older. The maximum age this needs to be updated is 70 years old. People will also have to update their photo if they think their appearance has changed significantly. This is self-judged. The updated image is automatically compared against and matched with the existing photo. If the images are not automatically matched by the Home Office’s system, then a manual check may have to be performed by a Home Office caseworker.

How do I switch to an eVisa?

The expansion of the eVisa system is continuing to be rolled out. To register, you will need to create a UKVI account and link your BRP (this is still possible if expired), BRC or passport. You can find a step-by-step guide on registering for an eVisa, including how to create a UKVI account, here, and translations for this guide here. Please note that despite what the guide here says, you are still able to use your BRP/BRC to prove your status until 31st March 2025. You can also find information and guidance from the Government here.

I’m still having problems with trying to register for an eVisa/use my eVisa

If you are struggling to register for or use your eVisa, you can contact the following organisations across the UK, who have received funding from the Government to help people with eVisas:

England: Migrant Help

Telephone: 07483 170100

Email: [email protected]

Scotland: Citizens Advice Scotland

Telephone: 0800 028 1456

Email: [email protected]

Wales: Welsh Refugee Council

Telephone: 0808 196 7273

Email: [email protected]

Northern Ireland: Advice NI

Telephone: 0800 915 4604

Email: [email protected]

The Government has also listed more organisations that have received funding to provide support here, along with their contact details and areas they operate in.

If you are struggling to register for an eVisa because you need support using a computer or smartphone, you can contact We Are Group:

[email protected]

Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944

Telephone: 03333 445 675

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

My BRP/BRC expired on 31st December 2024, but I don’t have an eVisa yet – how do I prove my status?

As the Home Office has stopped issuing BRPs and BRCs but extended the deadline to register for an eVisa, the latest guidance for statutory bodies is to continue to accept expired documents that have the expiry date of 31st December 2024, and use other methods to check proof of status.

For airlines, the Government has been working with them to allow BRPs or BRCs that expire on or after 31st December 2024 to be accepted as valid evidence of permission to travel until 31st March 2025.

If you are claiming benefits, like Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, or housing credit, the DWP has been instructed to also use original, physical copies of immigration documents. This could be your visa decision letter from the Home Office. Your support should not end as a result of your physical proof of status expiring.

More information on eVisas can be found here. Further resources, including for organisations supporting people with the eVisa transition can be found below: