Home Office new digital 'eVisa' system to replace physical documents – Tips before travelling plus helpline number for use after 31 December 2024

Q8. Do I need to undergo a further Right to work check as a result of obtaining an eVisa?
These changes will not require an extra check before the usual follow up right to work check. This will continue to take place near to when your existing permission to stay is due to expire, as happens now. You will be asked nearer to your expiry date to provide a share code for an initial or follow-up right to work check using the Home Office online system. If your BRP card was checked manually before April 2022 , you will have already been contacted for a follow-up check before 31 December 2024. 

Further details on how to create a UKVI account

Actions for BRP Card holders with an expiry date of 31 December 2024

If you have any dependants that also have BRP cards, they must also take action. You can create a UKVI account for your dependant children under 18.

This also includes those with other physical biometric cards with a 31 Dec 2024 expiry date such as Frontier Worker Permits or EEA Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs).

1. Create a UKVI account. View this video for how to create the account. How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa – YouTube.
2. Prepare what you need for the application:

• A valid passport that has not expired
• Your BRP card
• Your BRP card number from the top of the card OR your visa application ref number (which will have been sent by email to you when you applied and starts with GWF or UAN)
• A smartphone for the ID check. You will need to download the UK Immigration ID Check App for the check. The app will only work once you start your application online.
• Your email address, mobile phone number and date of birth
  It is advisable to use a personal email address and mobile phone number rather than a work one as this will be linked to your UKVI account and must be kept up to date.

3.Visit the gov.uk page Get access to your eVisa - GOV.UK to create a UKVI account by clicking on the ‘Start Now’ button

4. Fill in the details and click ‘Create Account’.

5. You will receive confirmation by email that the account has been created so you can sign in. This may not be immediate.

6. Once signed in, when you get to the identity verification stage, you will be told to switch to a smartphone and open the UK Immigration ID Check App. Use the camera on the smartphone to scan the QR code OR request a connection code to connect to the app. You need to have a current passport or BRP card with a biometric chip to verify your ID. See guidance on how to use the app.

7. Follow the instructions on the ID app which includes taking a scan of your face as well as a picture of your face (note this will be used as the image that you will see on your account). You will be also asked to take a photo of your document, then hold the app over your passport or BRP so it can scan the biometric chip embedded in it.

8. Now link your UKVI account to your eVisa. Complete the tasks as prompted and read the declaration before clicking ‘Submit’.

9. You will receive an email to advise you when the eVisa is ready to view – this may take a few days.

10. Note the eVisa is linked to the ID document you used to create your UKVI account. View the details and if you used your BRP as the ID document, ensure your passport or other travel document (e.g. national ID card) you will use when travelling is linked to your UKVI account. Do this before travelling.

11. Each time you renew your passport or travel document or contact details, ensure your UKVI account is updated with the details by visiting Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Update your UKVI account details - GOV.UK

12. If your appearance changes significantly, you also need to update your UKVI account and upload a new photo.

Actions for holders of paper legacy documents (vignette sticker, stamp in passport, status or ‘RON60’ letter

Apply to Replace a paper immigration document with an eVisa first. This is referred to as a No Time Limit (NTL) application. You will see the application includes amendments to reflect that BRP cards are no longer being issued after 31 October 24. You must apply for a NTL application from inside the UK. It is free to apply.

Apply for a NTL application if you:
- have a legacy paper document such as a vignette sticker or wet ink stamp in your passport, status or ‘RON 60’ letter confirming indefinite leave.
- no longer have the paper document confirming you hold indefinite leave as it has been lost or stolen
- have no current documentary evidence confirming your indefinite leave
- have not lost your status. You will lose indefinite leave status if you have been outside the UK for more than two years without coming back to the UK at all.
- have changed your name on your immigration document
- are a European national who was granted indefinite leave under the Immigration Rules, but not under the recent EU Settlement Scheme. Your ILR status may have been granted before 30 April 2006 or before your country of nationality joined the EU.
- are a person who was granted indefinite leave in association with the ECAA agreement with Turkey

You should not apply for a NTL application if you:
- are a European National who has been granted pre settled or settled status under the recent EU Settlement Scheme set out in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules. You should already have a digital immigration status and a UKVI account.
- are a British or Irish Citizen.
- have lost your indefinite leave status. Individuals who have been outside the UK continuously for more than two years should make an application for a Returning Resident visa.

1, Gather information ready for your No Time Limit application.
You may be asked to provide the following:
- evidence of holding indefinite leave
- your passport
- proof of UK address and continuous residence in the UK
- details of any continuous absences of more than 6 months from the UK.
- your National Insurance number
- your contact email and telephone details.
It is advisable to use a personal email address and mobile phone number rather than a work one as this will be linked to your UKVI account and must be kept up to date.

You may be asked to upload evidence of any current or expired Home Office travel or immigration documents that you hold. If your evidence of indefinite leave has been lost, the Home Office will attempt to verify your status through their internal systems.

2. The Home Office may ask you to prove your ID using the UK Immigration ID Check App. See guidance on how to use the app. A smartphone is needed for app and the ID check. You will need to download the UK Immigration ID Check App for the check. The app will only work once you start your application online. Otherwise you may be asked to submit photographic identity evidence, such as a valid passport or national identity card. If you have had a change of name, you should have official evidence to support these changes.

3. UKVI will seek to retrieve proof of residence in the UK via records held by other government organisations. If they are unable to obtain sufficient evidence from other government departments, they may request this evidence from you. Evidence can include utility bills, bank statements, a letter from your GP, your UK Driving licence.

4. You may find the Home Office guidance issued to its caseworkers who are processing NTL applications useful reading. See Travel documents: no time limit (accessible) - GOV.UK . You will see it includes amendments to reflect that BRP cards are no longer being issued after 31 October 24.

5. Apply online and submit your No Time Limit (NTL) application to Replace a paper immigration document with an eVisa.

6.Provide any documents requested and make an appointment at a visa centre to have your biometrics (fingerprints) taken.
The UK visa centres are run by a commercial partner called TLScontact. You should be able to upload copies of your documents on their website. Otherwise you can take your documents to your biometrics appointment to be scanned and uploaded by them for a fee. You'll be told how to book an appointment and upload your documents after you submit your application. You do not need to send any physical documents to the Home Office or UKVI unless you are advised to do so.

FAQs about the NTL application process

Q1. Can I travel whilst waiting for the application to be processed?
Unlike visa applications, you can travel internationally outside of the Common Travel Area (United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland) whilst the NTL application is in progress. This means you do not have to change any travel plans. As your legacy paper document has no expiry date, you can continue to use your legacy paper documents to travel in and out of the UK after 31 December 2024 whilst your NTL application is still being processed.

Q2 How long to wait for the decision?
It may take up to 2-3 months for NTL applications to be processed currently.

Q3 What do I receive once the decision is made?
Once your NTL application has been processed, you will be able to create a UKVI account with your passport and application number. It is not yet clear whether this will be automatically created for you as part of this application process. You will be advised if it is.

Q4 What should I do after my UKVI account and eVisa is available to view?
You should access your UKVI account and eVisa to check everything is correct. If you need to update the details of your UKVI eVisa account, including your identify document linked to the account, and your travel document linked to your eVisa, you should use the ‘Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ service at www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details