On 30 October 2023 UK Visas and Immigration published their much anticipated new guidance on eVisas. Millions of visa holders already prove their status through eVisas (such as those on the EU Settlement Scheme), but the Home Office is planning for this to become the norm by the end of 2024 as part of its move towards a digital immigration system. An eVisa is an online record of an individual's immigration status. eVisas are intended to replace the physical documents that an individual would normally carry with them such as biometric residence permits (‘BRPs’), biometric residence cards and vignettes in passports. . 

The changing system is obviously concerning to those whose current permission to stay in the UK is evidenced by a BRP or other physical document as many of these documents have an expiry 31 December 2024 in anticipation of the eVisa system being introduced. At present, these individuals are not under an obligation to do anything. The newly published guidance makes clear that the UKVI intends to provide updates during 2024 to notify individuals when they need to register for a UKVI account, so as to receive an eVisa. If an individual doesn't have an eVisa they must continue to carry their physical documents with them when they travel, until the end of December 2024.

The new guidance makes clear that over the course of next year individuals who hold a physical immigration status will be able to register for a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This will be free to do and the individual will require their passport and contact details to register. Once a UKVI account is set up, the individual should keep their details updated.   

A UKVI account allows an individual to share their status with third parties such as landlords or employers using a generated share code which gives the third-party time-limited access to their information.  Access to this information is important for providing right to rent and right to work checks.

We look forward to further updates from the UKVI once the eVisa registration system is up and running. 

If you require any further advice on eVisas, Boodle Hatfield's immigration team would be happy to assist.