Following our article on what to consider if you are travelling over the winter, the Home Office has announced important updates on traveling with an eVisa.
What is the deadline for getting an eVisa?
Most biometric residence permits (BRPs) and biometric residence cards (BRCs) expire on 31 December 2024. The Home Office have now announced that, as a transitional measure, airlines and other carriers can accept BRPs and BRCs expiring on 31 December 2024 or later as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until 31 March 2025.
We would still recommend setting up your eVisa as soon as possible. The Home Office’s preference remains for individuals to prove their status using eVisas and they have crucially noted that this delay to the full implementation of the eVisa system “will be kept under review”.
What should I do before travelling with my eVisa?
There are now four main steps you should take before travelling with an eVisa:
1. Sign in to your UKVI account to check that your eVisa is linked to your current passport or travel document.
If you have obtained a new passport since setting up your eVisa or if you hold multiple passports, you should ensure the passport with which you plan to travel is linked correctly to your account.
2. Check that the information on your eVisa is correct.
You should check your eVisa to ensure the details are correct.
If there is an error, you can use the new online form to report an error with your eVisa. The Home Office has advised that they will be redirecting individuals to use this form if they contact the UKVI Resolution Centre phone line or use the webchat.
3. You should obtain a share code from the View and Prove service before you travel overseas.
Carriers may ask to see a share code to check your immigration status. Share codes are valid for 90 days and we are aware of issues generating these codes in certain countries. As such, it is best to generate a code before you travel out of the UK.
4. Ensure the passenger information you have provided to the carrier (airline, ferry or rail company, etc.) matches the details on your passport and eVisa.
We would also recommend providing your passenger information well in advance of your planned travel to reduce the risk of disruption.
What should I carry when I travel after 31 December 2024?
When travelling you must carry your current passport and ensure this passport is linked to your eVisa. You should also have your share code available for carriers to check.
As carriers and border officials adjust to the new proof of status requirements, we would also recommend that you carry the following:
1. Your BRP or BRC that expires on 31 December 2024 or later. As above, the Home Office have announced that these will continue to be valid for travel to the UK until 31 March 2025.
2. A screenshot or printout of your eVisa, showing your photo and immigration status.
3. Your most recent Home Office decision letter/email.
What to do if you cannot access your eVisa outside the UK
If you are outside the UK and cannot access your eVisa, you can get help to recover access to your UKVI account.
If you have a valid physical document that proves your status in the UK, you can show that to the carrier. As above, BRPs and BRCs expiring on 31 December 2024 will remain valid permission to travel to the UK until 31 March 2025, based on current Home Office guidance.
The Home Office have advised that if you cannot recover your account and have no other evidence of your permission to travel, you may want to consider applying for a temporary visa which lets you re-enter the UK once only.
We welcome enquiries from our previous clients, if they have any concerns about their status or correct expiry date. Please also get in touch if you would like our support with an application process, and we can provide details on our fees.
