Hello Guys! You may have heard about the new eVisa system that the government is introducing, and if you haven’t this blog post is here to help!
By the end of 2024 the Home Office expects all persons in the UK on a visa to have registered and set up an account with their new eVisa system.
What is an eVisa?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the people who approved your current visa, have developed a new electronic system. This system is designed to hold all of your immigration status information digitally. Whilst living and working in the UK you will go to your eVisa account to access and share information with organisations when required.
When you travel in and out of the UK you will no longer be required to carry any of your visa related documents. You will still need to travel with your valid passport which you will link to your eVisa account. It is very important that you make sure your current passport/s are linked to your account prior to travel to avoid any lengthy delays at border control. It is also recommended that if you have a valid BRP card you should still travel with it until it expires.
The advantages of an eVisa are:
They are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document.
You will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this.
It will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords
How to Register for an account:
You do not need to pay any fees to register or hold an eVisa account. When registering for a UKVI account and eVisa you will first need to check if your BRP card is valid or not.
If you have a valid BRP card:
You are able to register for a UKVI and eVisa account, please take the following steps now:
Create a UKVI account to access your eVisa, which will replace your BRP.
To create your UKVI account, you will need:
Your date of birth
Your BRP Number (found on your BRP card)
Your Passport (if you do not have a BRP)
Unique application reference number (for most recent application made to the Home Office), or your Home Office Reference Number.
There are a number of people who have permission to stay but hold legacy documents, such as:
Vignettes in passports
Paper documents confirming grant of indefinite leave to remain, or,
A wet- ink stamp in passports
You cannot use any of the above documents to register for an eVisa account.
If you:
Hold a legacy document (as described above)
Have an expired BRP card
Have lost your BRP card
Have a BRP card that will expire before you can register for an eVisa account
Then you will not be able to apply for a UKVI account and register for an eVisa. You will first have to apply for a BRP card and then, once received, register for your eVisa account. We can of course help you apply for a BRP Card if you get in contact with us. We strongly recommend that you do apply for a new BRP card, as soon as possible, but before December 31st 2024, to make your process easier.
People exempt from the eVisa scheme:
If you are from the EU and have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you are exempt as you are already registered with the eVisa scheme.
If you are a British or Irish Citizen then you do not need to register for the eVisa scheme.
If you are a British National and hold a dual citizenship with another country, or have right of abode and you do not have a British passport; then you do not need to take any action now. You may need to in the future so keep checking with immigration services, like ours, as it is you responsibility to make sure you are compliant with the current rules.
