UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have developed a digital immigration system to replace physical documents so you have an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa. Only people who already have legal permission to remain in the UK need one, not people seeking asylum or with temporary permission (with an Application Registration card (ARC) or immigration bail documents).
Our advice is:
- Do not panic – contact us if you are unsure or need help, this may be because of your level of English or access to a smart phone. Details of how to contact us are here.
- Look out for an email – check your inbox and spam/junk folder.
- If you are wanting to open a bank account using an eVisa as ID – please refer to the guide from the Home Office – Customer Guide – Banking and eVisa.
You can find out about eVisas here:
To get an eVisa, you will need to create a UKVI account, which is free and straightforward. A video about how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa is available here.
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.
The documents being replaced 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 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, and when you can do it.
The Home Office are asking all applicants to keep their physical documents even after they expire in case they require any information from them at a later date.
Lancashire County Council have produced information in a range of community languages:
e-visa Guidance – Ukrainian
e-visa Guidance – Pashto
e-visa Guidance – Dari
e-visa Guidance – Arabic
e-visa Guidance – English