On 31st December 2024, the UK Government was expecting to rollout their new E-Visa system, which is a major component to the transition to a fully digital immigration system. The rollout has been delayed until 31st March 2025.
What is an E-Visa?
An E-Visa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. Updating your physical document to an E-Visa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You can use an E-Visa to travel to the UK together with your current passport which must be linked to your UKVI account.
What will the new system replace?
physical biometric residence permits (BRP)
physical biometric residence cards (BRC)
passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
Why was the system rollout postponed?
In the months leading up to the full release date, the Government received many complaints regarding system delays, and technical problems. During this time, it's been reported that some users had their original IDs expire, and were advised to continue using the expired visas, only resulting in further issues with aspects of employment checks, and when attempting international travel. The Government has since admitted that the E-Visa rollout has caused problems for people attempting to access digital proof of their immigration status.
When is the new rollout date?
Due to delays, the validity of BRPs has been extended until at least 31st March 2025. This extension aims to ensure that individuals can continue to prove their immigration status during the transition period.
For further guidance on this, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa.
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