UK immigration update – e-Visa
The government has announced information on the implementation of e-visas to take effect from 1 January 2025. A digital immigration system will be used and physical documents, such as vignettes and biometric residence permits (BRP) or cards, will gradually be phased out.
Individuals should create a UKVI account to access their eVisa and share details about their immigration status and conditions, such as their right to work in the UK. They can use the ‘view and prove’ service for this purpose.
Who does this impact?
This recent announcement will impact all non-UK/Irish citizens who have permission to remain in the UK and hold a physical document to evidence of their immigration status. This includes staff members who have limited or permanent leave to legally reside in the UK.
What does this mean for your organisation?
The Home Office has already started implementing the online right-to-work system for employers and limiting the circumstances where physical documents are accepted to prove a worker's immigration status.
What is an e-Visa and why do our employees need one?
An e-Visa is an online record that stores details of an individual’s immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. If they don’t already have an account, they will be invited to create one to access their e-Visa. There are no fees to use this service.
The UK is implementing a secure and safer digital system to strengthen border security. The electronic account will hold information on the type of permission individuals have, visa dates and visa conditions.
The Home Office has released an informative video that employers can use to share with their staff members.
My employee already holds an e-visa, what else do they need to do?
They will need to keep their UKVI account personal details up-to-date and notify the Home Office of any changes to their passport or travel document. This is to ensure they can continue to access their accounts and to avoid any unnecessary delays at the UK border.
My employees have BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024, do they need to do anything?
They do not need to tell the Home Office if their BRP expires on 31 December 2024, but their immigration permission (for example, visa) allows them to stay longer.
They will need to create a UKVI account before the expiry date of their BRP. They can use their travel document such as a passport or visa application reference number if they have lost their BRP card.
If their e-Visa details aren’t visible immediately after creating their UKVI account, there is no need to take any action. They will receive a direct email notification once their e-Visa is ready to view. In the meantime, they can continue using their BRP to prove their immigration status until their e-Visas details are accessible. After 31 December 2024, they should be able to travel with their current passport and won’t require a BRP card.
How can employees access their e-Visa and update their UKVI account information?
Employees needing to access their e-Visa or update their UKVI account must ensure that their account details are current. If they have recently applied for a UK visa via the IDV app (online account), they should access their UKVI account by logging in with their previous BRP number. It is advised that they update their UKVI account by submitting a scan of their current passport as the new identity document. This ensures the correct linking of e-Visa information to their account.
Border authorities will utilise their passport number to access their e-Visa through the UKVI account.
What does this mean for British/Irish nationals?
No action is required for British or Irish citizens, they can continue using their passports to prove their immigration status.
Some helpful links
- Access your e-Visa
- Guidance video on creating an account
- If you need help with creating an account
- Updating your UKVI account details
How Forvis Mazars can help
- Bespoke communications you can provide to your employees.
- Hosting webinars/workshops for individuals on what they need to do.
- Follow-up drop-in sessions later in the year to answer questions.
- How to guides you can distribute to your employees.
- Tracker of all your current employers under sponsorship.
Our team of professionals are here and ready to assist with your immigration needs. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding UK immigration, please feel free to contact the Forvis Mazars immigration team.
Want to know more?
Sue Kukadia Partner - Head of Immigration - Specialist Tax London