In an effort to streamline the UK immigration system, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service is digitising the border and immigration processes. All visa holders must link their immigration status to a UKVI eVisa account before January 2025. This blog outlines the potential consequences of not linking your immigration status before the digitisation deadline.
The eVisa system will provide an online record of each visa holder’s immigration status. Biometric residence permits (“BRP”), biometric residence cards (“BRC”) and passport endorsements, such as wet ink stamps and vignette stickers, must be replaced with an eVisa. These eVisas will provide an online record of an individual’s immigration permission in the UK and any conditions they are subject to.
If you are travelling for the holidays, it is essential to link your immigration status to an eVisa account as soon as possible to avoid border issues when returning to the UK in the new year. Current guidance stipulates that airline providers must ensure that passengers not only have a valid visa, but the required type, such as an eVisa. Valid physical documents may still be accepted (e.g. visa vignettes), but BRP cards, which are all set to expire on 31 December 2024, will not be accepted as they will no longer be valid. However, current guidance suggests that BRP holders should still hold on to their cards even after they have expired, in case they run into any issues at the border and require some proof of their status.
The Home Office is also implementing a messaging system in conjunction with their immigration permission digitisation efforts. Those with eVisas will not face issues and will receive an 0A (board) message, which will serve as sufficient evidence of their permission to travel to the UK and allow them to board the plane. Travellers who are still only in the possession of a physical document as proof of their immigration status will receive an 0Z or 0B (check) message from the Home Office, prompting their airline carrier to check they have valid permission to travel to the UK. The following physical documents shall still be acceptable, however, this is a non-exhaustive list which is subject to change:
- Valid visa vignette contained in a passport
- Valid visa vignette endorsed on a Form for Affixing a Visa (FAV)
- Valid UK-issued biometric residence permit
- Valid UK-issued EUSS biometric residence permit
- Valid UK-issued EUSS biometric residence card
- Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode endorsed in a valid passport
- EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- EU Settlement Scheme travel permit
- Vignette or wet ink endorsement in a previous passport that confers Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain (however, this must be presented alongside a valid passport)
- Equivalent immigration permission granted by the Crown Dependencies
- Frontier Worker Permit
- Valid UK (Home Office-issued) Refugee Travel Document
- Valid UK (Home Office-issued) Stateless Persons Travel Document
- Valid UK (Home Office-issued) Certificate of Travel
In summary, UK immigration status holders are strongly advised to link their permissions to an eVisa account as soon as possible. This will ease the travel process and allow migrants and visitors the most protection when travelling in 2025. To create an eVisa, simply create a UKVI account.
The article was published on 11/11/2024
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The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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