The shift to a digital immigration system by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is a significant move towards streamlining processes for individuals in the UK. The new eVisa will replace various physical documents, including:
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- Biometric Residence Permits (BRP): Previously issued as a physical card, now your immigration status will be accessible online.
- Biometric Residence Cards (BRC): Similar to BRPs, but for family members of EU nationals, the eVisa system will also replace these.
- Passport Endorsements: This includes the indefinite leave to enter stamps, which will now be tracked digitally.
- Vignette Stickers: Entry clearance or visa vignettes, typically affixed to passports, will transition to an online record.
This transition aims to make the process more efficient and user-friendly, allowing for easier access and management of immigration status.
All BRP holders should take action now to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa at www.gov.uk/evisa.
Transitioning to eVisa
An eVisa is an online record that reflects your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. Here’s what you need to know:
- Access: To use an eVisa, you’ll need to create a UKVI account to view your immigration information.
- Immigration Status: Transitioning to an eVisa does not change your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to stay in the UK.
- Travel: In the future, you’ll be able to travel to the UK using only your eVisa and a registered passport. Until the end of 2024, you will still need to carry any physical documents you currently possess.
Advantages of eVisas:
- Security: eVisas are more secure as they cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with like physical documents.
- No Waiting: After your application is approved, you will not have to wait for a physical document. However, you may still need to provide biometric information in person if required.
- Ease of Proof: It will be quicker and simpler to prove your immigration status at the UK border and share this information with employers, landlords, and other third parties.
UKVI Account
To access your eVisa and manage your immigration status, you’ll need to create a UKVI account. This account allows you to:
- View Your eVisa: Check your immigration status and conditions online.
- Prove Your Status: Use the “view and prove” service to share details about your immigration rights, such as your right to work or rent in the UK.
Creating this account simplifies the process of managing and demonstrating your immigration status without the need for physical documents.
Create a UKVI Account:
- Access the UKVI website to set up your account before your BRP expires.
- You’ll need your BRP details, passport, and your visa application reference number if your BRP is lost or stolen.
Travel:
- Continue to carry your BRP when travelling internationally until it expires.
- Keep your expired BRP for future applications or personal records.
Access Your eVisa:
- After creating your UKVI account, log in to the “view and prove” service to access your eVisa.
- If your eVisa details are not immediately visible, do not worry; UKVI will notify you by email when they are available. In the meantime, you can use your BRP to prove your immigration status.
If you hold another type of physical document to prove your indefinite leave to enter or remain (settlement status), here’s what you need to do:
Steps to Get an eVisa:
- Apply for a ‘No Time Limit’ (NTL) Application:
- If you’re using a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, you should submit a free NTL application to replace your document with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
“It is free to make a No Time Limit application, and information on how to do so is available at www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replace-visa-brp”. Please kindly note that there are legal requirements to be met for this type of application.
If you require assistance with the above process, please reach out to our experienced Immigration Solicitor, Sherika Kuruparan. You can contact her at [email protected] or call 07881 099906. She will be happy to guide you through this matter!
- Receive Your BRP:
- Once your NTL application is approved, you will receive a BRP. This document is essential for accessing your eVisa.
- Create a UKVI Account:
- After obtaining your BRP, go to the UKVI website to create your account.
- Access Your eVisa:
- With your UKVI account set up, you can log into the “view and prove” service to access your eVisa.
Steps for Creating a UKVI Account for a Child:
Every individual must have a UKVI account. For children under 18 who cannot create and manage their own account, a parent, guardian, or responsible adult can set one up on their behalf.
- Eligibility: Ensure you are a parent, guardian, or responsible adult who can create the account for the child.
- Gather Necessary Information: You will need the child’s personal information, including their details from their immigration document (if applicable).
- Access the UKVI Website: Follow the guidance provided on the UKVI site specifically for creating accounts for children.
- Complete the Account Setup: Fill out the required information and complete the process.
- Access eVisa: Once the account is created, you can manage it on behalf of the child and access their eVisa when it’s available.
Problems Accessing UKVI Account
We can provide services to client to communicate with HO to deal with their E-Visa Account:
“‥The UK Visas and Immigration Contact Centre will also be able to assist users who are experiencing technical issues with their online immigration status, and where necessary, enable individuals’ status to be verified through alternative means.”
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Establishing solicitors need/the need for presence/support
“‥Individuals can nominate a ‘helper’ and give them limited access to their account, so that they can assist with creating a UKVI account, completing details to access an eVisa, and with any immigration application. Where a person is unable to manage their own affairs due to, for example, age or disability, a ‘proxy’, who is authorised, can create and manage the account on behalf of the person.”
What Happens to People Who Fail To Get an Evisa by 31 December 2024?
Currently, obtaining an eVisa is not mandatory for individuals who already possess physical permits. The expiration of these permits after December 31, 2024, will not alter their underlying immigration status. Additionally, the Home Office has confirmed that individuals can continue to use their existing documents to demonstrate their immigration status within the UK, such as when required by employers, even after 2024.
“BRP [biometric residence permit] holders will still be able to use the online right to work and rent services to prove their rights once their BRP expires – provided they still have valid immigration status – although they are encouraged to register for a UKVI account and to use that to access those services.”
Implications of Not Applying for an Evisa
Travel Caution: Individuals with permits expiring on December 31, 2024, should avoid leaving the UK without securing an eVisa, as returning might be problematic. Airlines may not allow boarding without proof of eligibility to enter the UK.
Legacy Documents: People with older documents indicating indefinite leave to remain can continue using them to prove status and for re-entry into the UK after 2024, but applying for an eVisa is strongly recommended.
We provide support to digitally excluded individuals.
Services Offered by Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors:
- Account Setup: Assisting clients in creating their UKVI accounts.
- Guidance: Providing step-by-step instructions on accessing eVisa details.
- Ongoing Support: Helping clients with any questions or issues that arise during the process.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, reaching out to our firm could provide valuable support.
Our Support and Assistance as Legal Representatives
If you have any questions about how the transition to the eVisa system might affect you or your situation, feel free to reach out to Sherika Kuruparan, an Immigration Solicitor at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors. You can contact her via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07881 099906. She will be happy to guide you through the process and provide the support you need.
Sherika is a dedicated Solicitor in our immigration department, bringing two years of post-qualified experience and over eight years within the immigration sector. She manages a diverse range of complex private client cases. Her expertise spans Asylum, Spouse/Partner Visas, Visit Visa applications, Long Residence, EU Settlement, Nationality, Human Rights Applications, British citizenship, and intricate appeals.