The UK Asian The voice of British Asian community in the United Kingdom 
The UK government has announced a grace period until March 2025, allowing expired physical immigration documents to still be used for international travel as visa holders transition to the new online eVisa system.
As part of an ongoing initiative by the Home Office, all visa holders, including many Indians with a physical biometric residence permit (BRP), a passport containing a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp for indefinite leave to remain or enter, or a biometric residence card (BRC), were given until the end of December to switch to an eVisa.
The Home Office reports that over 3.1 million people have already made the transition to an eVisa. However, some individuals, facing technical issues or other challenges, may not have been able to meet the year-end deadline.
Seema Malhotra, the UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, emphasized that comprehensive support and guidance are available for those yet to make the switch. “We are continuously streamlining the process based on feedback from visa holders, stakeholders, and MPs to ensure a smooth transition. I am pleased to announce greater flexibility regarding the acceptance of expired documents, which will help international travelers without compromising border security,” Malhotra said.
Most BRPs are set to expire by the end of this year and are being transitioned online in phases. To access their eVisa, visa holders must create and log into a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account.
As a temporary measure, airlines and other carriers will be able to accept BRPs and BRCs expiring on December 31, 2024, or later as proof of permission to travel to the UK until March 31, 2025. This provision will be reviewed, and passengers will still be subject to normal immigration checks and requirements.
The Home Office reiterated that anyone seeking to enter the UK with an expired immigration status could be denied entry. It also issued a reminder for paper visa holders to use the GOV.UK system to switch to an eVisa.
For those with indefinite leave to remain who still use ink stamps or vignettes in their passports to confirm their immigration rights, they can continue using these documents for another three months. The Home Office encouraged them to apply for a No Time Limit status to access an eVisa.
Switching to an eVisa is free and simple, offering enhanced convenience. Unlike physical documents, an eVisa cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, and it allows visa holders to quickly and securely prove their immigration status. The switch will not affect or alter any current rights or immigration status, the Home Office stated.
Support measures are available for those encountering challenges during the transition, including a 24/7 chatbot and helplines.
The Home Office’s phased approach aims to provide a seamless digital experience for most users of the UK immigration system by 2025. The introduction of eVisas will also reduce the need for migrants to submit their passports for processing or make trips to collect documents like BRPs, saving on renewal fees.
The transition began in April under the previous Conservative government, with BRP holders being directly emailed instructions on how to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This process is now being overseen by the Labour government, which has faced concerns from digital rights experts about potential discrimination against individuals who struggle to prove their residency rights due to issues with the eVisa rollout. However, the government has downplayed these concerns, stressing that the three-month grace period until March 2025 will address any minor challenges.
British passport holders and Irish citizens, including those who have recently acquired British citizenship, are not affected by this change.
