UK eVisa System Gains Over 4 Million Users

Over four million UK visa holders—mostly non-UK and non-Irish nationals—have now transitioned to the digital eVisa system, marking a major milestone in the UK government's push to modernise immigration services. This shift reflects growing adoption of UKVI accounts, as more individuals link their passports or IDs to access and prove their immigration status online, replacing traditional physical documents.

What Is the UK eVisa?

An eVisa is a secure digital record of a person’s immigration status in the UK. It replaces physical documents like the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Card (BRC). eVisas are stored online and accessible via the UK official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account platform. UK eVisa holders can view and share their immigration status digitally, making it easier to prove their right to live, work, rent, and access public services in the UK.

The UK’s Shift to a Fully Digital Immigration System

The UK is undergoing a major transformation in how immigration status is documented, moving from physical permits to a digital-first system centered around the eVisa. Launched in 2024, this initiative replaces documents like BRPs and BRCs with a secure online record accessible through a UKVI account.

This shift is meant to simplify verification for travel, employment, renting, and public services. As more visa holders adopt the digital system, the immigration process becomes faster, safer, and more user-friendly. While progress is strong—over 4 million users and counting—the government must continue ensuring access, support, and clear communication to make this transition truly inclusive.

Transition Progress and Statistics

According to the Home Office, early 2025:

• Over 4 million individuals have created a UKVI account and linked their immigration status to access their eVisa.
• Approximately 600,000 visa holders have yet to complete the transition.
• The transition rate continues to rise steadily as awareness and outreach improve.

These numbers underscore the government's push toward a fully digital immigration system, with the aim of eliminating paper-based immigration status documentation altogether.

🗓️ Grace Period Extension to 1 June 2025

To accommodate those who have yet to make the switch, the Home Office extended the grace period for using expired BRPs and BRCs for travel and immigration verification. Initially set to end on 31 March 2025, the grace period now runs until 1 June 2025.

This extension means:

• Individuals with a BRP or BRC expired on or after 31 December 2024 may still use them for travel until 1 June 2025, if they hold valid immigration status.
• After 2 June 2025, expired BRPs or BRCs will no longer be accepted as evidence of status for travel to the UK or other official purposes.

This move gives affected individuals more time to create their UKVI accounts and ensures fewer disruptions for international travelers and residents.

🧾 How to Access Your UK eVisa

To access an eVisa, individuals must create a UKVI account via the government portal:

1. Visit the official UK official website.
2. Use your passport or an expired BRP/BRC to link your immigration status.
3. Once verified, you can view and prove your immigration status online.

The eVisa holders can share their status with employers, landlords, or service providers using the “View and Prove” service.

✈️ International Travel with an eVisa

Your eVisa is linked to your passport details in your UKVI account. This makes it crucial to:

• Keep passport information up to date within your UKVI account.
• Inform the Home Office of any changes (such as a new passport).
• Carry your current passport when traveling, as it is the primary method used at the UK border to verify your digital status.

Proper maintenance of your digital profile helps avoid issues at border control and speeds up immigration checks.

⚠️ Why You Should Act Now

Even though the grace period has been extended, delaying the switch to an eVisa carries potential risks:

• You may face difficulties with travel after 1 June 2025.
• Without a digital status, you could encounter barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare.
• Employers and landlords are now increasingly relying on digital checks, which could leave you unable to prove your right to live or work in the UK.

Switching to an eVisa is free, secure, and straightforward—there’s no reason to delay.

Support for the Digitally Excluded

The Home Office has pledged to enhance support for individuals with limited access to digital services, including:

• Step-by-step guidance on creating a UKVI account.
• In-person support through immigration support centers and charities.
• Help from legal advisers and immigration lawyers, especially for those with complex cases or older immigration documents.

These efforts are designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their digital literacy or resources, can make the transition without hardship.

The Ongoing Transition and Remaining Challenges

While it’s great that over 4 million people now use eVisas, the full switch to a digital system is still in progress. The Home Office has said that many people with old physical immigration documents still need to make the change.

There are a few reasons why the transition is still ongoing:

• Awareness and Communication: Some visa holders still don’t know they need to create a UKVI account to get their eVisa. More communication and outreach are needed to spread the message.
• Digital Skills and Internet Access: Not everyone is good with technology or has regular access to the internet. It’s important to offer help and other ways to access the system so that no one is left behind, especially vulnerable people.
• Technical Problems and Ease of Use: Some users have faced technical issues or found the UKVI account process hard to understand. Fixing these problems and making the system easier to use will help more people make the switch.

What This Means for UK Visa Holders

If you have a UK visa, here’s what the move to eVisas means for you:

• Digital Proof Is Now Key: In the future, you’ll prove your immigration status using your UKVI account and eVisa, not physical documents.
• Keep Your UKVI Account Updated: Make sure you create a UKVI account and keep your passport and personal details up to date.
• Learn About Share Codes: If you need to prove your right to work or rent, you’ll need to generate a share code from your UKVI account to give to employers or landlords.
• Travel Tips: You can still travel with some expired physical documents until June 1, 2025, but after that, your eVisa linked to your passport will be the main way to show your immigration status when entering the UK.