1. Introduction
Navigating the intricacies of UK immigration status can often be challenging, and recent changes are set to impact many individuals travelling to and from the United Kingdom. As of 2 June 2025, a significant shift has occurred: the grace period for using expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) has officially concluded. This means that for most travellers, a digital eVisa is now the mandatory proof of your immigration status when entering the UK. Failure to comply may lead to denied boarding or entry delays, even if you hold valid immigration status.
This blog will explain what an eVisa is, who needs one, how to ensure you're travel-ready, and what action you must take immediately to remain compliant.
2. What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital confirmation of your immigration status in the UK. It shows the type, conditions, and duration of your permission to live, work, or study in the UK. It replaces physical cards like BRPs and BRCs, offering a more secure and convenient way to prove your status online.
To access your eVisa, you must create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account using your personal details and valid identity document. From your account, you can:
● View your immigration status
● Generate a share code to prove your status (like employers or landlords)
● Update personal and passport details
Even if your BRP or BRC has expired, you can still use it to create your UKVI account.
3. Travelling to the UK: Your eVisa is Now Key
The temporary acceptance of expired BRPs and BRCs for re-entry to the UK, which extended beyond their 31 December 2024 printed expiry, ran until 1 June 2025, and from 2 June 2025 expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer accepted. These physical cards are no longer valid as evidence of immigration status for travel purposes. Instead, your eVisa, which is digitally linked to your current passport or travel document, will be used by border officials to verify your status upon entry.
It is paramount that your passport details are consistently updated within your UKVI account. Airlines and other carriers are now authorised to deny boarding if your digital status cannot be successfully matched to your passport. Therefore, before any travel, confirm that your passport is correctly linked in your UKVI account, verify the accuracy of all personal and immigration details, and obtain a valid share code, as this may be requested by your carrier. If your carrier cannot check your eVisa, ask them to contact the UK Border Force carrier support hub.
4. The Transition to eVisas: What You Need to Know
Anyone who previously relied on an expired BRP or BRC for travel must now exclusively use their eVisa for re-entry into the UK. Failing to set up your eVisa risks being denied boarding, even if you hold valid underlying immigration permission.
For those granted immigration status many years ago, prior to the introduction of BRPs, older formats such as passport stamps or visa vignettes may still be held. These "legacy documents" currently remain acceptable, although the Home Office actively encourages holders to transition to an eVisa. People with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) who do not yet have a digital record can make a free No Time Limit (NTL) application to get an eVisa. It can take up to 6 months to process, so start early.
While expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel, they can still be instrumental in setting up your eVisa account if you haven't already done so. An expired BRP can still be used for three things only: to sign in to view your eVisa and get a share code, to create a UKVI account, and to apply to extend your permission to stay. It stops working even for those 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card or on 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. However, these physical cards must not be relied upon for travel.
Our eVisa and digital status guidance is kept up to date with the current position on UKVI accounts, expired BRPs and travel.
5. Essential Travel Checklist
Before embarking on any journey to or from the UK, ensure you take the following crucial steps to guarantee your immigration status can be verified seamlessly at the border:
⧁ Verify eVisa Accessibility:
Confirm that your eVisa is readily accessible through your UKVI account. If you haven't yet created an account, do so well in advance using your personal details and a valid identity document.
⧁ Link Passport Correctly:
Ensure your current passport or travel document is accurately linked to your UKVI account. Any discrepancy between your account information and your travel document details could lead to delays or denied boarding.
⧁ Generate a Share Code:
Utilise the "view and prove your immigration status" service to generate a share code. This code remains valid for 90 days and may be requested by your airline or carrier to confirm your permission to enter the UK.
⧁ Carry Supporting Documentation (Precautionary):
As a precaution, consider carrying a printed copy of your eVisa status page and any pertinent Home Office correspondence confirming your immigration permission. This can be helpful if digital access issues arise.
⧁ Check Transit Requirements:
If your travel involves transit through another country, ascertain their entry, exit, and transit requirements, as you may be asked to show evidence of your UK immigration status by foreign authorities.
It is strongly advised to complete these steps well in advance of your journey to prevent any potential disruptions.
6. How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
At WorkPermitCloud, we understand that sudden changes to immigration regulations can be complex and stressful, especially when they impact your established life in the UK. Our team of experts specialises in UK Business Immigration and HR systems. We are here to help you navigate these updates, ensuring you remain informed, prepared, and fully compliant with the latest requirements.
We provide expert support to:
◆ Help you set up your UKVI account
◆ Ensure your passport and immigration status are correctly linked
◆ Guide you through the eVisa application process
📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Book a consultation for e-visa services
Let us help you stay informed, compliant, and ready to travel, stress-free.
7. Conclusion
The shift to mandatory eVisas for UK travel marks a significant evolution in the country's immigration system. The end of the BRP and BRC grace period after 1 June 2025 underscores the critical need for all eligible individuals to transition to digital documentation. By proactively setting up and maintaining your UKVI account, linking your current passport, and understanding the new travel protocols, you can ensure your journeys to and from the UK remain seamless. Stay informed and take the necessary steps to secure your digital immigration status today.
8. Glossary
| Term | Definition |
| BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) | A physical card previously issued by the Home Office as proof of immigration status in the UK, containing personal details and biometric information. All BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas. |
| BRC (Biometric Residence Card) | A physical card issued by the Home Office, primarily to non-EEA family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens, to prove their immigration status under EU law or the EU Settlement Scheme. |
| eVisa | An online, digital record of an individual's UK immigration status, replacing physical documents like BRPs and BRCs. It can be accessed and managed through a UKVI account. |
| UKVI Account | An online account managed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that allows individuals to access, view, and manage their digital immigration status (eVisa). |
| Share Code | A unique, time-limited alphanumeric code generated from a UKVI account. It allows third parties (like employers or landlords) to securely view an individual's online immigration status to verify their right to work or rent. |
| Grace Period | A temporary period during which expired BRPs and BRCs were still accepted as proof of immigration status for travel to the UK, which ran until 1 June 2025. |
| Legacy Documents | Older physical documents proving UK immigration status, such as passport stamps or visa vignettes, issued before the introduction of BRPs and eVisas. While still acceptable for now, holders are encouraged to switch to an eVisa. |
| No Time Limit (NTL) Application | A free application for individuals with indefinite leave to remain (settlement) whose status is recorded on an old document, has been lost, or for whom there's no digital record. It allows them to obtain an eVisa confirming their settled status. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | A form of permanent residence in the UK without time restrictions. |
