Biometric Residence Permits (‘BRP’) will expire at the end of the year. Understand what urgent action is required before 31 December 2024.

If your BRP expires on or before 31st December 2024, you don’t need to make an application for a BRP renewal of your physical card. Instead, you must register for a UK Visas and Immigration (‘UKVI’) account on the Home Office website before the end of the year, to access your eVisa. Failure to do so will create complications when trying to re-enter the UK in the new year.

If you hold a BRP card and have an eVisa you are not required to create a UKVI account and no further action is required.

Why is this happening?

The UK government is developing a fully digital Border and Immigration system. The Home Office is phasing out physical immigration documents including BRP cards by the end of 2024 and replacing this with an online records system in the form of eVisas.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you will still need to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one.

How do I access my eVisa?

You will need to create a UKVI account online to be able to access your eVisa. Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. There is no charge to create a UKVI account.

What happens when I create a UKVI account?

By registering for a UKVI account, you will be able to access an eVisa to prove your immigration status with a share code through the Home Office’s ‘View and Prove’ service. This share code will allow you to prove your right to work to an employer and your right to rent to a landlord. The share code can also be issued for other purposes, such as proving your right to study to educational institutions. These share codes can be used prior to the expiry of your physical BRP.

It is important to be aware that that individuals should still travel with their physical travel documents and visas until 31 December 2024.

How do I register for a UKVI account?

All existing Biometric Residence card holders must create an online UKVI account by 31 December 2024. To create a UKVI account, please follow the the link here.

What do I need to register for a UKVI account?

To create a UKVI account and access your eVisa, you will need:

• Your date of birth
• Your BRP number or Unique Application Number (UAN)
• Your passport (if you do not have a BRP)
• Access to an email address and mobile phone number
• Access to a smart phone

Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, for example your type of permission, when it expires and your conditions of stay. You will also be able to update your personal details and register your passport in your UKVI account so that you can easily travel to and from the UK.

How we can help?

We can help you set up your UKVI account and access your eVisa ahead of the impending deadline or answer any queries you may have. Please do contact our Immigration team or your usual Forsters contact for assistance as soon as possible.