Home Office Transition to eVisas: Action Required for Visa holders
The Home Office is making a significant shift to a digital immigration system by replacing physical immigration documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), and older paper-based documents (e.g., passports with ink-stamps or visa vignette stickers), with an online record of immigration status known as an eVisa.
Anyone currently using a physical immigration document who does not already have a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account must take action to create one at www.gov.uk/evisa. This includes individuals with BRPs, BRCs, or any other legacy paper immigration documents. Individuals whose BRPs expire on 31 December 2024 can now create a UKVI account and access their eVisa independently, without waiting for an invitation from UKVI.
The eVisa is a secure, tamper-proof, and convenient way to prove your immigration status and associated rights, such as the right to work or rent. The transition does not impact your underlying immigration status but aims to streamline processes, increase accessibility, and enhance the security of your immigration records.
Creating a UKVI account is a straightforward, free process, and failing to take this step could lead to delays when proving your immigration status, especially for employment or travel purposes. Please ensure that you take action as soon as possible and have access to your eVisa by 31 December 2024 at the latest. Detailed instructions and helpful video guides are available at www.gov.uk/evisa.
Once you have created your account and accessed your eVisa, you can generate a share code to prove your immigration status via the "view and prove" service at www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.
The Staff UKVI Compliance Team will be in touch directly with employees who require an updated Right to Work check by 31 December 2024 to ensure compliance with the Home Office’s Right to Work check guidelines.
For more details, you can also refer to the eVisa FAQ Frequently Asked Questions section, available on the Staff UKVI Compliance Team webpages, which provides answers to common queries regarding the transition and how to access your immigration status online.
For additional support or assistance, please visit www.gov.uk/evisa or do not hesitate to reach out to staffukvi@glasgow.ac.uk if you have any further questions.