UK eVisa Grace Period Extended

The Home Office has officially extended the grace period for the transition to the digital eVisa system, allowing eligible individuals to continue entering the United Kingdom with expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (EUSS BRCs)until 1 June 2025.

The extension supports the UK’s shift to a fully digital immigration system, giving visa holders more time to create UKVI accounts and secure digital proof of status.

Understanding the eVisa Grace Period

The eVisa grace period was introduced as a temporary measure to ensure visa holders are not penalized or stranded due to expired physical documents while transitioning to the new digital eVisa system.

Under this temporary policy:

• Visa holders whose BRPs or EUSS BRCs expired on or after 31 December 2024 can continue using these documents for international travel until 1 June 2025.
• The original grace period was set to expire on 31 March 2025, but the Home Office has now extended this window by an additional two months.

🧾 Why Is This Grace Period Important?

While the eVisa system aims to modernize the immigration process and eliminate the need for physical documents, the transition has not been without challenges. Some individuals have faced:

• Technical difficulties registering on the UKVI platform.
• Limited access to digital devices or the internet.
• Uncertainty about how to transition from physical documents to the new eVisa format.

To address these concerns, the extension offers a buffer period for late adopters, ensuring that individuals with valid immigration status are not barred from travel simply because their physical documentation has expired.

Who Is Affected by This Extension of Grace Period?

This extension is most relevant for:

✅ Eligible Individuals

• Visa holders whose valid BRPs or EUSS BRCs have an expiry date of 31 December 2024 or later.
• Individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) who possess legacy paper documents, such as a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp in a passport.
• EU/EEA nationals and their family members under the EU Settlement Scheme whose BRCs have expired.
• Migrants who have not yet registered for a UKVI digital account.

❌ Not Eligible

• Those whose BRPs or BRCs expired before 31 December 2024.
• Individuals with no legal immigration status or expired visas.
• Non-visa nationals or those with different immigration categories not requiring BRPs/BRCs.

A Closer Look: What Is the UK eVisa?

The UK eVisa is a digital record of a person’s immigration status in the UK. It replaces physical documentation, including BRPs and BRCs. Through the UKVI system, visa holders can:

• View their immigration status online.
• Share their status with employers, landlords, and government departments.
• Prove their right to work, rent, study, or access public services in the UK.

eVisas are accessible via a secure UKVI account, which users can create on the official UK website.

Key Benefits of UK eVisas include

1. No physical card required—reducing the risk of document loss or theft.
2. Accessible online anytime.
3. Easier verification for employers and service providers.
4. Faster travel processing at borders in the future.

International Travel Implications

The Home Office has clarified that from 2 June 2025, expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs will no longer be accepted as evidence of immigration status for travel. Travelers who rely solely on these documents risk being denied boarding or delayed at the UK border if they have not transitioned to the eVisa system.

✈️ Before 1 June 2025

• Airlines and transport carriers are instructed to accept expired BRPs and BRCs as valid proof of immigration status.
• Border Force agents will continue to conduct standard immigration checks using passengers' digital records.

⛔ After 1 June 2025

• Carriers will not accept expired BRPs or BRCs.
• Passengers must rely on eVisa records linked to their UKVI account.
• Failure to comply may result in boarding denial or entry delays.

📈 Why Was the Extension of Grace Period Necessary?

The UK’s move to a fully digital immigration system is a major step toward modernization, but it hasn’t been without challenges. While over 4 million visa holders have already registered on the new UKVI eVisa platform, an estimated 600,000 have yet to transition. To address these gaps and ensure a smooth, inclusive rollout, the government extended the grace period.

Key Reasons for the Extension:

• A significant number of visa holders (approx. 600,000) remain unregistered.
• The UKVI platform needs further technical improvements to enhance usability.
• Many individuals were unaware of the need to transition to digital status.
• Some people face barriers like limited internet access or vulnerability.
• Legal advisers and immigration support groups needed more time to assist at-risk individuals.
• The extension ensures no one is left behind in the digital transition.

📌 Important Reminders for UK Visa Holders

🗣️ Expert Advice: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Immigration experts and legal advisers strongly advise visa holders not to delay the transition to the eVisa system. While the grace period has been extended to 1 June 2025, it is crucial to act early to avoid potential issues with travel, employment, or access to public services.

Those with older paper documents, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) stamps or outdated visa vignettes, are particularly at risk of being excluded from the digital system. These individuals may face greater difficulties verifying their immigration status if they do not make the transition in time.

By acting promptly, visa holders can ensure a smoother shift to the digital format, avoid unnecessary complications, and maintain uninterrupted access to essential services and legal rights.

Final Recommendations

With the 1 June 2025 deadline fast approaching, it is vital for all affected individuals to take the necessary steps to secure their eVisa and ensure uninterrupted access to travel, work, and services in the UK. here is an action checklist:

✅ Confirm if your BRP or BRC has expired or is due to expire.

✅ Register for a UKVI account via the official website.

✅ Link your visa to your digital account.

✅ Keep your account details safe and accessible.

✅ Avoid travel disruptions by not relying on expired physical documents after 1 June 2025.