The eVisa rollout is being postponed
In December 2024, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra announced that the eVisa rollout is being postponed. The online system was set to take charge next month on 1 January 2025 however, it has been delayed by the government until at least 31 March 2025.
Biometric Residence Permits and Biometric Residence Cards will expire on 31 December 2024 however, due to the changes, expired documents may continue to be used until 31 March 2025.
What is the eVisa?
Earlier this year, the Home Office announced that the use of physical identification documents is coming to an end. Physical documents will be replaced by an eVisa, an online record of your immigration status.
Updating your physical document to the online system does not affect your immigration status. It also does not affect your current permission to enter or stay in the UK.
When the online system comes into effect, the only physical document you will need to carry is your current valid passport which must be registered to your UKVI account.
Under the new system, the following physical documents will be replaced:
Biometric Residence Permits (BRP).
Biometric Residence Cards (BRC).
Passport endorsements, such as those for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Vignette stickers.
Why is it being delayed?
The rollout has been delayed by Seema Malhotra due to concerns that the previous deadline (1 January 2025) could create “another Windrush style scandal” meaning that people may not be able to prove their right to live in the UK and be denied status.
What to do next
UKVI advise individuals travelling until 31 March 2025:
Access their UKVI account and register for an eVisa, at https://www.gov.uk/eVisa.
Create a share code prior to travel and retain the details, at https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. If requested, the share code will outline details of an individual’s immigration status and right of re-entry. Share codes are valid for 90 days.
Retain the expired BRP or BRC. Carriers and Home Office Officials may use the expired BRP or BRC as evidence of an individual’s valid status.
Creating an eVisa account
Although the rollout has been delayed, you still need to create a UKVI account and eVisa account.
Written by Mya Alghali
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