The UK Home Office have been on a path to digitise as much of the immigration process as possible. We have come a long way from completing paper forms and sending them via post to the Home Office; now we complete 99% of forms online. Supporting documents are now scanned and uploaded instead of posted to the Home Office. It makes sense that visas and residency documents are next to be fully digital.
As of 31st December 2024, millions of Biometric Residence Cards and Permits expired without a prospect of renewal; this was the first big move to eVisas. It is important that we all know where we stand in this new era. The Home Office state that the move to eVisas will enhance security, reduce reliance on physical documents and allow carriers to carry out automated checks against Home Office records, improving the traveller experience.
Previous BRP/BRC holders
Anyone who had a Biometric Residence Card or Permit (BRC/BRP) for the UK is required to register for an eVisa if you haven’t done so already.
This applies to you even if you have Permanent Residency/Indefinite Leave/Settled Status on your BRP/BRC document.
Without an E-Visa you will not be able to enter the UK, you won’t even be allowed on a plane because your status cannot be checked. Any other form of proof of residency in the UK will not be accepted i.e. decision letters or emails.
Please take the following steps:
- Create a UKVI Account – Get access to your eVisa – GOV.UK
- Once you have followed the steps above you can then View and Prove your Immigration Status: View and prove your immigration status: get a share code – GOV.UK
Other Types of Indefinite Leave Documents
If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement or settled status) and you currently prove your rights through a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, then you should make a free ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application.
Once your NTL application is decided, you will receive an eVisa. You will be told how to access your eVisa in your decision email. You can continue to prove your rights using your existing physical documents where they are permitted while your NTL application is being considered and after it is decided. This includes for proving your right to work if your document has not expired, right to rent. However, from 26th February 2026, it will likely be very difficult to enter the UK without an eVisa.
Further Changes from 26th February 2026
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
All nationals who normally do not require a visa to visit the UK are required to have a valid ETA to be able to travel to the UK. An ETA is basic electronic authorisation, mainly for capturing the data of those visiting the UK. An ETA application costs £16, decisions tend to come through within 24-72 hours and last for 2 years. Every traveller needs their own ETA even if you are travelling as a family or group.
The Home Office have advised that from 25 February 2026, travellers who normally require an ETA must have a valid ETA in place before travelling to the UK because carriers will deny boarding to anyone who does not hold one.
British dual nationals
From 25 February 2026, British citizens, including those who also hold nationality from a country that would normally require an ETA, are not eligible for an ETA. Dual British nationals can only evidence their right of abode with a valid British passport or other passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement (CoE) (which is also going digital, see below). Anyone unable to present one of these documents risks being denied boarding or delays when returning to the UK. Note that the Home Office have not said that you will be denied entry to the UK but rather you will face a risk.
If you hold, for example, a German passport and Citizenship certificate but no British passport, you cannot enter the UK with your German passport or apply for an ETA to enter the UK. You will be required to apply for a British passport or certificate of entitlement to Right of Abode in the UK.
eVisas for Nationals who need a visit visa
The Home Office have published that those who pay for a visit visa application on or after 25 February 2026, will receive an eVisa only. This replaces visa vignette stickers and those who attend the Visa Application Centre (VAC) will only do so once to confirm identity. Their passport will be returned during the appointment.
Before travelling, all eVisa holders, including children, must create a UKVI account to check their eVisa, update passport details and share their status, if needed, for example, to facilitate other countries at their entry or exit controls.
Jules Motcho email:jmotcho@redfernlegal.com
