The Home Office is replacing physical immigration documents with digital proof of immigration status, called an eVisa. Anyone who currently 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 an individual currently proves their immigration status using a biometric residence permit (BRP) or has indefinite leave to enter or remain and uses a passport containing an ink-stamp or visa vignette sticker, they will need to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. They have to do this even if they have recently applied to renew their visa, or their BRP. 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.
If they have a biometric residence card (BRC) and hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then they will not need to take any action, other than keeping their UKVI account up to date with their latest passport and contact details.
The move to an eVisa will not impact on an individual’s underlying status.
We are pleased to have received funding from the UK Government to help people across East Sussex to set up and access their UKVI account and to support them in using their eVisa.