Changes are being made by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in the way that immigration status is documented for visa holders. UKVI are moving to a new digital immigration system, which means they are replacing physical documents with an online record of individuals immigration status called eVisas
Knowsley’s refugee and asylum seeker charity, SHARe Knowsley will be running drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons to support people in applying for and accessing their eVisas. They are also able to offer appointment-based sessions on other days.https://shareknowsley.org.uk/
The new eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.
eVisas are secure, and, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with. They can be accessed anywhere and in real time, putting people in control of their own data and allowing them to swiftly update the Home Office with new contact or passport details.
An eVisa is securely linked with the holder’s unique biometric information in the same way as a Biometric residence permits or Biometric residence card, to protect against identity fraud.
The documents being replaced by UKVI are:
- Biometric residence permits (BRP)
- Biometric residence cards (BRC)
- Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
- Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
If you hold one of the above documents you will need to update to an eVisa by 31 December 2024. From 1 January 2025 you will need an eVisa to prove your immigration status. The documents above will no longer be accepted.
If you use a physical or legacy paper document to prove your immigration rights, go to www.gov.uk/evisa to find out what you need to do next.
Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.
Drop-in sessions at SHARe Knowsley will take place on Wednesdays from 2.30pm – 4.30pm at the Old School House, St John’s Road, Huyton, L36 0UX.
For further information or to book an appointment, email admin@shareknowsley.org.uk or call 07915252300