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As the UK continues to modernise its immigration system, eVisas have become an essential part of managing and verifying an individual’s immigration status online. These digital evisas serve as proof of a foreign national’s right to remain in the UK and outline the specific conditions attached to their stay.
This shift towards a more digitised process represents a significant change from traditional methods of visa issuance and status verification.
In light of these updates, it is crucial to understand how eVisas work and what they signify for those living in the UK. This is particularly relevant to consider the confusion surrounding the expiry dates on biometric residence permits, which currently show “31 December 2024” as the expiry of the physical BRP card, not the individual's leave to remain.
Introduction to eVisa UK
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department, part of the UK’s Home Office, is at the forefront of a significant transformation in how visas and immigration statuses are managed. As part of this digital migration, physical documents such as passport endorsements and biometric residence permits are being replaced by a new system of online records known as eVisas.
This innovative approach marks a shift from traditional physical documentation to a streamlined, digital format for verifying immigration status. The eVisa UK serves as digital evidence of your immigration status and outlines the conditions of your stay in the UK. This online record will be used to share crucial information, including your right to work and your right to rent.
Soon, eVisas will also facilitate travel in and out of the UK, eliminating the need to carry physical documents beyond your current passport. Your passport will need to be linked to your UKVI account so that border officials can verify your immigration status electronically. The benefits of eVisas include enhanced security, as digital documents are less prone to loss or tampering compared to physical ones, and a more efficient process for proving your status at the UK border.
How Visa and eVisa Are Different?
A visa is a formal document, typically issued on paper and stamped or endorsed into your passport, that grants permission to enter or reside in the United Kingdom. This traditional method involves visiting a visa application centre, submitting physical documents, and often experiencing longer processing times.
An eVisa is a more modern and convenient alternative. It's an electronic record stored in a digital database, issued solely online without the need for physical paperwork. The application process is streamlined, often resulting in faster processing times.
In short, a visa is a physical or digital document issued by UKVI authorising entry or stay in the UK, while an eVisa is a digital-only version of it.
Who Needs a UK eVisa?
- UK Work, Study, or Family Visa Holders: If you hold a UK visa for work, study, or family reasons, you will need to obtain an eVisa. This online record will replace traditional physical documents like biometric residence permits (BRPs) and passport endorsements.
- Exceptions: You do not need an eVisa if you are a British or Irish citizen, are visiting the UK for less than six months, or have indefinite leave to remain as evidenced by a stamp or sticker in your passport. However, you can opt to acquire an eVisa if you wish.
Documents Being Replaced by eVisas
1. Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
2. Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)
3. Passport Endorsements (e.g., indefinite leave to enter stamps)
4. Vignette Stickers (e.g., entry clearance or visa vignettes)
Updating from physical documents to an eVisa will not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. The change is administrative and digital.
Specific Cases
1. If You Have a BRP
Expiry Date: Since 1 January 2020, new BRPs have an expiry date of 31 December 2024, regardless of your actual period of leave. This date aligns with the planned implementation of the eVisa system.
Action Required: You will be contacted by UKVI to set up a UKVI account and transition to the eVisa before your BRP expires. Ensure your legal adviser checks if they have received your notification if their contact details were provided.
2. If You Have a Passport Stamp or Vignette
NTL Application: If you use a passport endorsement or sticker to confirm indefinite leave, you need to apply for a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) status. If successful, you will receive a BRP and be invited to create your eVisa account.
Accessing Your eVisa UK
To access your eVisa, you must first ensure that the Home Office has contacted you with specific instructions. If you haven’t received any communication from them yet, there’s no immediate action required on your part. The ability to access your eVisa will become available later in 2024.
Here’s how to access your eVisa when it becomes available:
1. Create a UKVI Account
Start by setting up an account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This account will be essential for managing your eVisa and other immigration-related records.
2. Verify Your Identity
You can use the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app to confirm your identity. This step is crucial for linking your eVisa to your UKVI account. Ensure you have your smartphone ready for this verification process.
3. Prepare Your Information
Have your email address and phone number handy. You will also need your BRP card or a valid passport, and either your BRP number or visa application number to complete the setup.
4. Receive Notifications
Once your eVisa is linked to your UKVI account, you will receive an email notification indicating that your eVisa is accessible. Keep checking your inbox for this update.
By following these steps, you will be able to access and manage your eVisa efficiently once it becomes available.
Why Do You Need an eVisa?
An eVisa is crucial for proving your UK immigration status online, encompassing essential aspects such as your right to work and right to rent. As the digital system evolves, eVisas will also be used for travelling into the UK, simplifying how you manage and prove your immigration status.
Right to Work Checks
All UK employers are required to perform right-to-work checks on new hires to ensure they have the legal entitlement to work in the UK. With the shift to online immigration records, those with an eVisa will need to request a share code to demonstrate their right to work.
To obtain this share code:
- Create a UKVI Account: Set up your account with UK Visas and Immigration.
- Request a Share Code: Visit the ‘Prove your right to work to an employer’ page on GOV.UK, select the relevant reason for sharing your information and generate a share code.
- Provide Details: Share the code and your date of birth with your employer, who will use it to verify your employment eligibility. If your right to work is time-limited, your employer will need to perform follow-up checks to ensure your status is still valid.
Right to Rent Checks
Landlords in Englatravend must verify that tenants over 18 have the right to rent before finalising a tenancy agreement. If you hold an eVisa, you will need to provide a share code to prove your right to rent.
To obtain this share code
- Visit the Right to Rent Page: Go to the ‘Prove your right to rent in England’ page on GOV.UK using your biometric residence permit (BRP), card number, passport, or national identity card.
- Generate a Share Code: Follow the instructions to create a share code, which landlords will use to confirm your rental eligibility. If your right to rent is time-limited, your landlord will need to conduct follow-up checks.
Travel to the UK
If you plan to travel, be aware that Visa Approval Notices recommend avoiding international travel until you have received your new BRP. Carry your BRP with you, as it may be required to confirm your status during travel. Additionally, keep your UKVI account updated with your current passport details to avoid travel delays or issues with boarding.
By understanding and utilizing your eVisa, you ensure smooth compliance with work, rental, and travel requirements in the UK.
UK eVisa Cost
The cost of applying for a UK eVisa varies depending on the type of visa you are seeking. For instance, the standard fee for a skilled worker visa ranges between £719 and £1,500, whereas the settled or pre-settled status under EUSS does not ask for any kind of fee.
The basic fee for a student visa is £490, although additional costs may apply for a biometric appointment or prioritisation. A Spouse visa costs £1,846 while applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain carries a fee of £2,885.
Processing Time for UK eVisa
The processing time for a UK eVisa application typically depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. For applications made outside the UK, the processing time is usually up to 3 weeks. If you are applying from within the UK, it can take up to 8 weeks. However, you may have the option to pay for a faster decision if needed.
Once your eVisa is approved, whether from inside or outside the UK, it will remain valid for the duration of your granted leave to enter or stay in the UK.
Need More Assistance?
West End Consultants is a professional immigration and nationality law firm in the UK, assisting individuals and businesses with their immigration process and more. If you’re seeking more support in the eVisa-obtaining process, you may connect with our experts at West End