Navigating the UK’s digital-only immigration system with Gherson

Gherson have been providing comprehensive support to their clients with navigating the UK’s digital-only immigration system by offering tailored status reviews, error resolution and dedicated compliance support.

Since 2018, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have been converting the UK immigration system into a digital-only format. This shift is aimed at making the UK safer by reducing the risk of fraud, loss and abuse of physical documents, providing a more secure way to prove immigration status and increasing automation, paving the way to an eventual contactless border.

As part of this effort, physical documents such as Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and vignettes have been gradually phased out and replaced by the eVisa. Since 31 October 2024, BRPs have no longer been issued following a visa approval, and all BRPs and BRCs were set to expire by 31 December 2024, regardless of the issue date. UKVI aims to complete the transition and stop issuing vignettes in 2026.

Until 1 June 2025, it was still possible to use expired BRPs to travel to the UK, but now all visa holders with permission to stay in the UK must use an eVisa to prove their immigration status (except those with vignettes and stamps in their passports, which remain valid for the time being).

How Gherson can support you

Gherson offer a full service for new and existing clients, from assisting with obtaining an eVisa to setting it up following a successful application.

Creating a UKVI account

Previously, following a successful visa application, applicants would receive a BRP card in confirmation of their immigration status. Now, however, they are invited to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa electronically.

To facilitate this, applicants must:

• Have access to a smartphone;
• Download the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check App’;
• Have their passport, biometric document or the UAN/GWF number listed on their application.

Those who already have their eVisa and have applied to extend their current leave should see their immigration status update automatically.

Transition to an eVisa

Holders of Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK (ILE) who do not have an eVisa or a BRP should submit a No Time Limit application.

Submitting a No Time Limit application may be required if:

• You have a non-digital proof of your Indefinite Leave to Remain or Enter (such as a vignette or stamp in your passport);
• You are settled in the UK but do not have any documentary evidence to confirm this;
• Your passport containing ILR or ILE endorsement has been lost, stolen or has expired.

Applicants who do not have a biometric document will be required to attend a biometric appointment in the UK following the submission of their application form.

Keeping your eVisa up-to-date

eVisa holders must keep their personal details on their UKVI account up-to-date. Failure to do so can lead to travel delays or having to wait longer for immigration decisions in the future. It is also important to ensure the Home Office have your correct contact details to send you any important correspondence.

Applicants should update their details if any of the following change:

• Passport or travel document;
• Name;
• Mobile phone number;
• Email address;
• Home address;
• Postal address.

Where relevant, applicants should also update the following details:

• Add or change your nationality, for example if you have dual nationality;
• Add another passport or travel document;
• Significant changes to your appearance, which make it hard to recognise you by looking at your photo.

Any changes to the applicant’s name, date of birth or nationality will require an identity document to be provided confirming the change.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

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.

©Gherson 2025