The UK Home Office used to issue physical documents to foreign residents. These days, it is planning to replace the physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) with a new digital system to prove immigration status, known as eVisa. In this passage, we are going to introduce how to convert BRP to eVisa.
Physical BRP to Digital eVisa
The UK Home Office will no longer print BRP after December 31, 2024. If you are holding a physical BRP card, it will be invalidated after that date even if you are still allowed to legally stay in the UK. To prove your immigration status, you are supposed to switch the physical card to online immigration status (eVisa) which stores your visa information in an online account and allows you to access it anytime and anywhere.
Do I Need to Switch to eVisa
Individuals who currently hold a physical residence permit or long-term visa are required to switch to eVisa, including:
- Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) holders.
- Biometric Residence Card (BRC) holders.
- Individuals with passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to Enter or Indefinite Leave to Remain. These should apply for “no time limit” (NTL).
- All visa holders with more than 6 months of stay in the UK despite visa type or nationality.
However, you will not access eVisa if you:
- are an Asylum seeker.
- have a visa with a validity of shorter than 6 months, for example, a visitor visa.
- have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
- have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
- are waived from immigration control, such as diplomats or people with “right of abode”.
How to Convert BRP to eVisa
Applicants can change BRP to eVisa with a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. It takes a few minutes and can be conducted online. Here is a step-by-step instruction.
Create a UKVI Account
- Visit the eVisa registration portal and click on the “Start Now” button.
- Answer a few questions about your current immigration status.
- Click on the “Create an account” button and provide your name, nationality, identity document, date of birth, email address as well as mobile phone number. Please note that you need to receive a security code by email.
Download UK Immigration: ID Check App
The App is an official App to check document authenticity and verify the identity of the document owner. It is available in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You should download the ID Check App to your phone and log in with your UKVI account to link the two. To be compatible with the App, your phone should meet the following rules.
- Be equipped with an operating system of Android 8.0 or iOS 15 and above.
- Have at least 135MB of storage space on Android phone or 120MB on iPhone.
- Be able to connect to the Internet services.
- Support Near-Field Communication (NFC) feature.
Confirm Identity
To convert BRP to eVisa in UK, you have to confirm your identity in the UK Immigration: ID Check App through the steps below.
- Take a BRP Photo
Open your App and select “Confirm your identity”. The App will guide you to take a photo of the front and back sides of your BRP with your phone’s camera. Make sure the full card fits the frame and all the information on it is legible.
- Take a selfie
The App will guide you to take a selfie for face recognition. It is suggested to finish it in a well-lit place and capture your head and upper body. Make sure to keep your head upright, look straight at the camera, and show a neutral facial expression. Do not cover your face, eyes, or head.
- Scan BRP through NFC
The BRP is equipped with a biometric chip and can be read by the App. Put the BRP card on the back of the phone and the built-in NFC reader will read the card automatically.
Wait for Home Office Verification
Now your information has been submitted. The UK Home Office will review your request and check whether it matches the records in the existing database, which might take up to 8 weeks. Once your application is verified, the authority will send a confirmation email.
Access and Manage eVisa
Now you have obtained your eVisa. You can access it online whenever you are required to prove your immigration status in the UK, such as renting a house, creating a bank account, applying for public benefits, traveling, etc. Moreover, you can also generate a share code and share it with third parties. It is necessary to note that if there is any change to your personal details, you are supposed to update them in your eVisa account.
What Will the UK eVisa Look Like
The UK eVisa is an electronic document showing essential information about the visa holder and the card, including:
- Visa details: document number, date of issue, place of issue, date of expiry, visa type or immigration category, number of entries, duration of each stay.
- Personal information: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and a colored photograph.
- Security features: QR code, 1D barcode, and watermark.
Can I Travel with an eVisa
Yes. The eVisa is linked to your BRP or passport. If you are traveling to some visa-free countries for UK residents or UK visa holders, you can present the eVisa along with your passport to prove your status. More importantly, when returning to the UK, the immigration officers will scan the eVisa and confirm your eligibility to re-enter the country. As all BRPs will expire on December 31, 2024, please convert UK BRP to eVisa as soon as possible, otherwise, you might be rejected for entry. During the process of waiting for approval of the conversion, it is suggested you bring the physical document while traveling inside and outside the UK.
📢Read Also: Which Countries I Can Visit with UK Visa 2024
How Much Does it Cost to Converting to eVisa
The authority does not charge any application fee or other related surcharge. Anyone who claims that your application will not be processed until you fulfill payment might be a scam or fraud. The conversion from UK BRP to eVisa is quite straightforward and you can finish it on your own. There is no need to pay and hire an attorney or consultant.
Challenges and Concerns with Transition to eVisa
Although it seems easy to convert BRP to eVisa, the transition still poses many challenges and there is still a long way to go. Here are some examples.
- The conversion is supposed to be finished before December 31, 2024, but some people are still unaware of the deadline.
- The number of applications will rise dramatically as the deadline approaches, which increases workload and extends the processing time.
- People who are not adapted to technology have difficulty digitalizing their documents smoothly as they are not familiar with document scanning, NFC features, etc.
- The process might be complicated for people with learning difficulties. Misunderstanding the requirements from the government and assistants might lead to misapplication, information discrepancies, or incomplete forms.
- Individuals with disabilities, for example, visually impaired persons, cannot take a clear picture of the physical document or themselves.
- The official website and App provide limited languages, causing inconvenience to those with language barriers.
To avoid these problems and accelerate the smooth transition from BRP to eVisa in UK, it is suggested to apply as early as possible. Turn to caregivers, volunteers, or social service agencies if you need help.
How to Keep UK eVisa Up to Date
As the eVisa serves as proof of immigration status in the UK and a travel document, it is necessary to keep it consistent with your personal information. The good news is that you don’t need to book an appointment or visit any immigration office to renew your visa whenever there is any change to your mobile phone number, email address, name, identity document type/expiry date/number, address, or postal address. Just log in to your UKVI eVisa account and update it at any time and anywhere.
FAQ
What happens to BRP after 2024?
The physical BRP document will expire as of January 1, 2025. If you are still allowed to stay in the UK after 2024, you can continue to use BRP to travel to the UK until 31 March 2025.
How long does it take to get eVisa from BRP?
It takes up to 8 weeks but the processing time might vary according to the visa type, your personal circumstances, and the number of applications.
Can I get eVisa if I lost BRP?
Yes. You can use a passport or visa application reference number, to register a UKVI account.
Do I need to switch my current student visa to eVisa?
Yes, if the visa allows you to stay for more than 6 months.
Conclusion
Due to the shift from physical documents to digital-only identification, long-term residents are supposed to apply for eVisa before the end of 2024. To convert BRP to eVisa, you should create a UKVI account, link it to your BRP, and verifying identity with the “UK Immigration: ID Check” App. The eVisa will make it more convenient to live in the UK and travel abroad. We hope this passage will help you finish the conversion smoothly.
Erin Lo