Friday 6 December 2024

On 4 December the Home Office announced transitional measures to ease the transition to eVisas from 1 January 2025, due to concerns about technical complications and travel accessibility.

Under these new measures, airlines and other carriers will be able to accept biometric residence permits (BRPs) and EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence cards (BRCs) expiring on 31 December 2024 as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until 31 March 2025. This measure should provide some reassurance for migrants travelling over the festive period.

Nevertheless, migrants should create an eVisa account now if they have not already done so. Additionally, anyone with indefinite leave to remain who uses an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents as they do today, including for travel. These people are also encouraged to make a No Time Limit application to access an eVisa as soon as possible.

Important steps

To avoid delays during travel over the festive period, we strongly recommend that migrants take the following steps:

• Create a UKVI account and set up access to your eVisa if you still need to do so.
• Check that your details listed on your UKVI account are correct and up to date and ensure that your current passport/travel document is linked to your account. Also, update the details on your UKVI account if any of the following have changed:
  • mobile phone number
  • email address
  • name
  • identity documents, such as your passport or national identity card
  • home address
  • postal address
• Report an error to UKVI if your details, such as your name, immigration status, or photo, are wrong on your eVisa.
• If you have one, travel with your biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC). Carriers have been instructed to accept these expired documents until 31 March 2025 to facilitate smooth travel to the UK. If you encounter difficulties boarding a flight, carriers should call the 24/7 Home Office support hub to confirm a passenger’s immigration status.
• Create a ‘View and Prove’ share code to give third-party access to your UK immigration permission. The airline/carrier for your journey to the UK may request this before permitting you to travel. This share code will be valid for 90 days from the creation date.
• Carry a copy of your approval email or letter from the Home Office, confirming that you have been granted UK immigration permission, and a copy of your eVisa profile page for your personal records.

Questions?

If you require further advice on this update or any eVisas assistance, please contact your assigned LDI lawyer or our Enquiries team at enquiries@lauradevine.com.