Starting January 1, physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) will no longer be valid to prove the right to live and work in the UK. This digital shift, part of the government’s e Visa programe, aims to modernize residency verification but has faced numerous challenges.
What is the E-Visa Program?
The UK e Visa program, a digital system to verify residency rights, was introduced by the previous government. It applies to all non-citizens and non-British passport holders residing in the UK.
The e-Visa programme replaces physical documentation with a fully digital system, making the UK the first known country to entirely discontinue physical entry visas and residence permits.
While the official deadline for registration is December 31, the Home Office has announced a grace period until March 2025 for travellers using BRPs to re-enter the UK.
1 Million Yet to Apply for eVisas
Out of the estimated 4 million BRP holders required to switch to eVisas, only 3.1 million have successfully completed the process, according to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. This leaves around 1 million individuals unregistered as the deadline rapidly approaches.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra acknowledged ongoing issues with the rollout, including cases where customers’ eVisa statuses are incorrectly displayed. She emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving these issues promptly.
Concerns and Challenges
- Travel Complications: Concerns about eVisa functionality during international travel.
- Benefit Disruptions: Reports of benefits being wrongly terminated due to status visibility errors.
- .Public Awareness: Limited awareness among affected residents about the transition process.
A resolution centre and an eVisa error unit have been established to assist applicants with technical issues. Additionally, late applications will be accepted for those who miss the December deadline.
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