The Home Office is replacing physical immigration documents with an eVisa for customers already living in the UK, and for new visa applicants.

What do Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) holders need to do?
BRP holders living in the UK will need to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

Students who hold a BRP that expires on 31 December 2024, and who have immigration permission to be in the UK beyond this date, do not need to apply to renew their BRP, as all recently issued BRPs are due to expire on this date. Instead, these students should follow the instructions on this Home Office page to create a UKVI account.

Creating a UKVI account is free, straightforward, and will not usually require BRP holders to send the Home Office either their passport or BRP. Once a student with a BRP has created their UKVI account, they should update their account with any new passport or contact details.

Who is affected by this change?
Everyone that uses a BRP who does not already have an eVisa is affected by this change, as BRPs are all due to expire at the end of 2024.

What if students already have a UKVI account and an eVisa as well as a BRP?
If customers hold a BRP as well as an eVisa, then they do not need to create do anything to anything. Students who already have an eVisa should ensure that their UKVI account is kept up to date with their latest contact information and any passport which they intend to travel with.

What happens if students do not create an account to access their eVisa?
BRP holders should take steps to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa before it expires to prevent any unnecessary delays in proving their rights. Students with expired BRPs will not be able to use them to travel internationally.

Further information, including details of the eVisa support available, can be found at www.gov.uk/evisa.