Transition to a fully digital system – changes to guidance on eVisas and BRPs

On 6 August 2024 the guidance for eVisas changed to state that anyone with a BRP can now create a UKVI account to access an eVisa. The system previously in place encouraged people to only create a UKVI account if they were invited. According to the guidance, it is planned that people will be able to travel on an eVisa from 2025, but at present people with a BRP will still need a BRP to travel.

Creating a UKVI account

You can use the following link to create a UKVI account: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa if you do not have one. Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to link your eVisa to your account and 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.

If you have an eVisa

If you do not have a BRP and instead have digital status by way of an eVisa, you will already have a UKVI account and therefore do not need to take steps to create one. You should however ensure that your current passport is linked to your UKVI account as the identity document and update this when your passport expires, and you receive a new one. It is also worth keeping a copy of the identity document used for logging into the account safely, as well as any immigration application reference numbers, in the event the identity document is lost in future and access to the account is needed.

BRPs which expire on 31 December 2024

Home Office guidance has been updated on 15 August 2024 to state that if you have a BRP that expires on 31 December 2024 you should keep your expired BRP card once you have gotten access to your eVisa, as you may need it for future applications to stay in the UK or for your personal records.

If your BRP expires prior to 31 December 2024, you should follow the steps in the paragraph below.

BRPs which expire prior to 31 December 2024

If your BRP expires before 31 December 2024, this most likely means your immigration status expires on the same date. You should check the decision letter or email received when your visa was granted to confirm the visa end date. If you wish to remain in the UK, you must apply for a new visa before your current one expires. In some cases, once a new visa is issued you will be given a new BRP.

Currently, there is not a streamlined way of disposing of your old BRP once you receive new immigration status. Some approval emails/letters state that your old BRP should be destroyed, and others say that it should be cut into 4 pieces and returned to BRP Returns, P.O. Box 195, Bristol, BS20 1BT. It is our view that you should follow the instructions specifically on your approval email or letter, and also retain a copy of your decision emails which you can access easily in future if necessary, along with a copy of the front and back of your old BRP.

If you are asked to dispose of your BRP, it would be prudent to also keep a note of when and how you disposed of it. This is because UKVI would usually ask for the BRPs to be returned to a specific address. The different approach here is most likely linked to the phasing out of BRPs.

It is unlikely UKVI would ever question what happened to your old BRP. Nevertheless, keeping a note confirming that you followed the instruction to destroy them, alongside your decision emails instructing you to do so, will ensure you have a record of this should it ever be needed.

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The material in this update is provided for guidance and general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice upon which you should rely. In particular, the information should not be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified professional. Please do contact the Bates Wells team if you require further information.