Recently, we have been getting a lot of inquiries from clients wondering why their 2.5 or 5-year visas show an expiry date of 31st December 2024 on their BRP cards. So, why is this? Well, starting from January 1st 2025, the Home Office will usher in a new era of digital immigration documentation with the arrival of the the UK eVisa; replacing physical documents like traditional BRP cards or visa stickers in passports.
So, what is an eVisa?
Simply put, a UK eVisa is an online record of your UK immigration status or residence permit. With an eVisa, you can travel to the UK with just your passport, no physical visa documents required. You can also use your eVisa to share your immigration status with third parties. For example, with landlords, employers or education institutions.
What is the deadline for registering for a UK eVisa?
The short answer is, the deadline for registering your UK eVisa is December 31, 2024. This means that before this date, you must register your UKVI account and add your visa information. It acts as a digital management system, allowing you to check your visa status online anytime. Although the deadline is at the end of this year, the UKVI eVisa accounts have been officially open for registration since March 18, 2024. We covered the arrival of the UK eVisa system in a previous article here.
The Home Office has already sent emails to some individuals who need to register for UKVI accounts, so please check your email inbox carefully. If you have received the email or any correspondence, follow the steps outlined to create your UKVI account. If you haven’t received the email yet, don’t worry. Until recently, those with a BRP card were encouraged to register for an eVisa only if they had been sent an email. However, as of 6th August 2024, all BRP card holders can now register.
How to register for an eVisa
1. You can use your computer (or mobile phone) to log on to the UK government’s official website for the eVisa: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa.
Once logged in, the system will ask you several questions about your BRP, such as whether you hold a BRP and if it’s within its validity period. Please select according to your actual situation.
2. Choose to register for a new UKVI account or log in to an existing UKVI account. If you’ve previously created a UKVI account for visa applications and used the Immigration Office’s online identity verification, simply log in to your existing account. If you don’t have an account, click “Create Account” to start registering your UKVI account.
3. Follow the system’s instructions to complete email and mobile phone verification, and then you can log in to your UKVI account. Next, you can click “Start Application” and link your eVisa to your account.
4. Next, you’ll need to verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check mobile app (please note, it’s a purple icon in the app store, not blue). Identity verification involves three main steps: first, take photos of both sides of your BRP card, then place your phone on the BRP card and use NFC to scan the chip inside, and finally, scan your face and upload a selfie with a plain background to complete the process.
5. Finally, answer the security questions and you can officially submit your eVisa application. After completing all steps, you’ll receive an email confirmation from the Immigration Office.
If you have any questions or need assistance with creating a UKVI account and viewing your eVisa, feel free to contact us.
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