Staff Portal

eVisa – Changes from 31st December 2024 

The Home Office is currently replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status called an eVisa. As part of the move to eVisas, anyone who uses a physical immigration document to evidence their immigration rights in the UK and who does not already have a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account will need to take action to access their eVisa. 

If you currently prove your immigration status using a biometric residence permit (BRP), or you have indefinite leave to enter or remain and use a passport containing an ink-stamp or visa vignette sticker, please visit www.gov.uk/evisa to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

You should do this even if you have recently applied to renew your visa, or your BRP. If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you will not need to take any action other than keeping your UKVI account up to date with your latest passport and contact details. The move to an eVisa will not impact your underlying status. 

Creating a UKVI account is free, straightforward, and will not usually require you to send any documents to the Home Office. An eVisa is a secure, convenient way to prove your rights, and cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with. If you do not take action to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa, you may face unnecessary delays when demonstrating your immigration status. 

If you proved your right to work using a share code, then we as your employer do not need to check your immigration status again unless your visa is due to expire soon. Any BRP customer who has immigration leave that expires before 31 December 2024, but plans to remain in the UK, should seek to extend their visa in the usual way. Guidance will be provided as part of the visa extension process on how the customer can create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. 

Almost all BRPs are due to expire on 31 December 2024, as the Home Office is phasing out physical immigration documents. You should not apply for a replacement BRP but take action to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa at www.gov.uk/evisa instead. 

If you have lost your BRP or BRC then you should apply for a replacement, but note that this replacement will expire on 31 December 2024. You should aim to create a UKVI account before your BRP expires. If you have further questions, or think you might need support in making the transition from a physical immigration document to an eVisa, further information is available at www.gov.uk/evisa