Visa and Immigration changes for non-UK nationals
If you or your family hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which expires on 31 December 2024, you will need to replace it by registering for a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
UKVI will be contacting customers by email to advise them to register for a UKVI account, but you do not need to wait to be contacted to take action. If you or family members have changed your email address since your last application for leave, or used someone else’s email address, you may not receive this email, but you can still register for an account.
What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?
A BRP is proof of an individual’s right to stay, work or study in the UK, it can also be used to confirm an individual’s identity and right to any public services or benefits they may be entitled to whilst in the UK. Currently a Biometric Residence Permit is required by anyone who comes to the UK for:
- longer than 6 months,
- extends their visa beyond 6 months,
- applies to Settle in the UK,
- transfers their visa to a new passport,
- or applies for certain Home Office travel documents.
What should I do If I have a BRP?
Those with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will need to replace it by setting up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This will provide the holder with a digital visa (eVisa) based on the most recent grant of leave to be in the UK that an individual has. Once transferred to the eVisa all details will be accessible by the Department of Work and Pensions, Local Authorities, the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Border Force, the NHS and Rail, Air and Sea commercial carriers at any such times that they require it.
Those with a BRP should continue to carry it when travelling internationally until it expires.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital version of what was previously a BRP, a wet-ink stamp or a vignette in a passport. The eVisa will enable the holder, government departments and some third-party organisations such as the Department of Work and Pensions, Local Authorities, the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Border Force, the National
Health Service and Rail, Sea and Air carriers to view the holder’s immigration status and associated conditions.
I am currently serving as a Non-UK national, am I affected?
At the moment, non-UK service personnel are ‘Exempt from Immigration Control’ whilst serving and do not need a BRP. However, it is likely that at some point in the future exempt statuses will also be required to hold an eVisa, and if you apply to Settle in the UK on discharge (Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK) will also require an eVisa. For now, Non-UK Service Personnel do not need to take any action for themselves. As and when this changes more information will be available.
My family holds a BRP, what do they need to do?
If a family member has a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which expires on 31 December 2024, they will need to register for a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisa. They should do this before their BRP expires.
My family has Settled status/Indefinite Leave to Remain in/Enter the UK, what do they need to do?
If a family member has Settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK (ILE)) and they have a wet-ink stamp or a vignette in their passport, then it’s recommended that they follow the following steps:
1. Make a No Time Limit Application [https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replace-visa-brp] to replace the wet-ink stamp/vignette in their passport with a BRP.
2. Upon receipt of BRP, register for a UKVI account and move to an eVisa.
However, No Time Limit Applications can only be submitted in the UK. If they are overseas, they will still be able to enter the UK from the 01 January 2025 even if they have not registered for a UKVI account as Rail, Sea and Air carriers will be able to check their status automatically.
What should I do once I/family have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account?
Once you or your family members have registered for a UKVI account it is important to check that all travel document information is up-to-date for each account holder.
Further information
Details about the eVisas system and how to register can be found by visiting GOV.UK [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa]