(3 min read)
The Home Office is taking a transformative approach to UK immigration in 2025, with the traditional Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) giving way to the cutting-edge eVisa. This pivotal change not only streamlines the visa application process but also introduces a new era of efficiency and accessibility for employers and their sponsored employees. This article delves into the intricacies of the eVisa system, providing employers with essential insights and practical steps to ensure their employees are well-informed about the changes.
The Home Office is digitalising and streamlining the UK's immigration system by transferring away from physical BRP cards and towards a new era of electronic visas. This digital shift enables visa holders to prove their immigration status online, simplifying processes for employment verification and border checks.
eVisa Key Facts
- Most BRPs expired on 31 December 2024, meaning that anyone who had a BRP will now need to access their eVisa online (www.gov.uk/eVisa).
- eVisas allow individuals to generate a share code online, facilitating right to work checks by employers and proving immigration status at UK borders.
- Holders of eVisas must keep their UKVI account up to date to ensure that their eVisa is linked to their current passport.
Navigating the transition
The Home Office has acknowledged that there have been some teething problems with the new online system and in an attempt to minimise disruption to those with eVisas, transitional measures have been put in place for those travelling internationally.
The Home Office will allow carriers, including airlines, to accept BRPs or EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence cards which expired on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel. This arrangement is intended to be in place until 31 March 2025 but will remain under review and we therefore recommend that individuals continue to monitor this and check before they travel.
Top tips for travelling with eVisas
Prior to travelling internationally, individuals should ensure that they have logged in to their UKVI account and checked their eVisa is correct. The passport they are using to travel will also need to be connected to their eVisa. When travelling, the Home Office has recommended that people do the following:
- Generate a share code to prove their immigration status. This is valid for 90 days and can be shown at the UK border to evidence their visa.
- For those who hold physical BRPs, continue to carry their BRP when they travel, as they may be able to continue to use it to evidence their visa until 31 March 2025.
- Check the entry, exit and transit requirements of other countries they are travelling through. Other countries may require individuals to evidence their right to enter the UK, and the requirements in each country could be different. Evidence that may be accepted could be:
- their share code;
- a printout of their UKVI account, showing their eVisa status;
- a BRP card or other physical document confirming UK status; or
- a copy of a letter or email received from the Home Office when their visa was granted.
Conclusion
While the move to eVisas aims to simplify visa management, it currently requires travellers to be more diligent in preparing multiple proof of status documents. Hopefully once eVisas become more well-established in the UK, visa holders will be able to travel confidently with only their share code to evidence their visa status.
Next steps
The Addleshaw Goddard Employment & Immigration team can provide advice on carrying out right to work checks using eVisas and how employers can support employees through these changes. We encourage employers to be proactive in informing their sponsored employees about the eVisa transition to ensure smooth travel and compliance with UK immigration requirements.
