The UK government is working to establish a new immigration system, with a specific focus on digitalization. The new changes include halting the physical issuance of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) as well as passport endorsements.
These documents will be replaced with eVisas, known also as electronic documents and all foreign residents that have a biometric residence permit that expires by the end of 2024, will have to create an account to access their eVisa before December 31, 2024, VisaGuide.World reports.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is developing a digital immigration system in which documents such as passport endorsements or biometric residence permits are being replaced with an online record of your immigration status.
eVisas to Be Issued for Those Holding Biometric Residence Permits & Cards
The new changes also include issuing eVisas for holders of Biometric Residence Cards (BRC) in addition to those who hold permits (BRP). Following these developments, the UK Home Office can stop issuing the physical version of these documents starting on January 1, 2025, as the Financial Express reports.
eVisas will replace UK biometric residence permits (BRPs) and biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps and vignette stickers contained in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes.
In the future, foreign nationals in the UK will be able to travel to the UK with an eVisa, scrapping the need to carry any physical documents, except the passport, which has to be registered to the UKVI account.
Anyone currently holding any of these documents will need to switch to the eVisa system, which will include anyone holding a UK student visa, graduate visa, family or dependents visa, or UK work visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa (including Health and Care visas).
US to Also Issue Paperless Visas in 2025
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Julie M. Stufft has also announced that the US has successfully finished the pilot program of paperless visas, which according to her, can take up to 18 months to be fully implemented.
She pointed out that there would not be any changes in the visa process, including fees. Visa interviews will continue to be required for certain cases.