eVisa System: Online Immigration Status Guidance

As we have seen in recent years, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have developed and are implementing a digital immigration system. In summary, this means replacing physical documents with an online record of a migrant's immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.

From 1 January 2020, applicants who were granted five years limited leave to remain started to receive Biometric Residence Permits endorsed with an expiry date of 31 December 2024. Initially, this was due to requirements introduced by the European Union to incorporate next generation encryption technology. As this could not be fulfilled they contained a validity date of no later than 31 December 2024. In January 2021, the EU restrictions on format were lifted and the system moved to issuing a new UK format of BRP. However, the Home Office continued after this date with plans to digitalise the system.