The UK government is creating an entirely digital immigration system where the role of paper documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) is to be replaced with electronic records of immigration status, or eVisas.
BRP holders were to switch to using their eVisa via their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account before their BRP expires, those who haven’t created a UKVI account by 1 January 2025, or whose BRP has expired. The grace period was provided till March 31, 2025.
Now, the UK has extended the ‘grace period’ announced in December 2024 by extending the end date from 31 March 2025 to 1 June 2025.
eVisa is an electronic version of BRP, accessible through UKVI accounts. However, passengers still undergo immigration checks, and expired status may result in refusal.
This allows people with a biometric residence permit (BRP) or EUSS biometric residence card (BRC) that expired on or after 31 December 2024, and who continue to hold underlying immigration status, to continue to use their expired document for international travel up to and including 1 June 2025.
From 2 June 2025, expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs will no longer be acceptable evidence of immigration status when travelling to the UK.
Over 4 million UK visa holders have successfully created an account to access their eVisa, according to Home Office statistics. An estimated 600,000 people are yet to switch from their physical document to an eVisa.
Those yet to create an account to access their eVisa are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, to make the most of the benefits of using an eVisa and join the millions – including all EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status holders – who already have an eVisa. It is free, and straightforward for those who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
People with indefinite leave to remain (ILR, also known as settlement) who use an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents as they do today, including for travel, but are encouraged to make the switch to an eVisa to take advantage of the benefits it brings.
Several people who created a UKVI account already had one created as part of their visa application, and therefore now have 2 UKVI accounts – although only one eVisa.
The UK government is implementing significant digitization measures, requiring all non-visa foreign visitors to obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA) by April 2025.
From 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans need to apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.