ECO clients Rose and Airo who are now together in the UK after Airo's successful Partner Visa application. Good luck on your new life together in the UK guys! Manila, Philippines - The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) has recently been replaced by the eVisa.
All BRP holders have been contacted by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) by email to inform them that all BRPs issued in favour of all UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa have expired as of 31 December 2024.
The email further stated that the automatic expiration of the BRPs will not affect the immigration status of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa holders, but they have to create a UKVI account (free of charge) in order to access their eVisa.
The UKVI adds that once the BRP expires and the eVisa takes effect, there will be a change in the way to prove the immigration status of the UK Spouse Visa holders.
The BRP used to be the main proof that the holder has the right to “stay, work or study” in the UK. It is one of the main requirements that the UK Spouse Visa, or other UK Settlement Visa holder can use if he or she wants to open a bank account in the UK.
The UK government’s main purpose in requiring holders of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa to obtain the Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) is to help protect the identities of these legitimate and genuine applicants. Because showing the BRPs to the UK authorities will make it easier, simpler and faster for these people to prove their true immigration status in the UK.
Now the eVisa is a simpler and easier way, according to the UKVI.
The UKVI further adds that the eVisa is an online record of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa holders of their immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. They need to create a UKVI account to be able to access their respective eVisas.
Benefits of eVisas include:
The UK Spouse visa or any other UK Settlement Visa holders can use an eVisa to travel to the UK together with their current passport which must be linked to your UKVI account. They should also get a share code to prove their immigration status before they travel. The airline or carrier will ask for it. This share code is valid for 90 days.
But aside from the benefits mentioned above, some sectors are questioning the transition from the BRP to eVisa saying there are some challenges that are apparent and in fact are being experience by holders thereof
It is likewise a smart move to always have a printed copy of the eVisa holder’s immigration status whether they are UK Spouse Visa or other UK Settlement Visa holders.
All BRP holders have been contacted by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) by email to inform them that all BRPs issued in favour of all UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa have expired as of 31 December 2024.
The email further stated that the automatic expiration of the BRPs will not affect the immigration status of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa holders, but they have to create a UKVI account (free of charge) in order to access their eVisa.
The UKVI adds that once the BRP expires and the eVisa takes effect, there will be a change in the way to prove the immigration status of the UK Spouse Visa holders.
The BRP used to be the main proof that the holder has the right to “stay, work or study” in the UK. It is one of the main requirements that the UK Spouse Visa, or other UK Settlement Visa holder can use if he or she wants to open a bank account in the UK.
The UK government’s main purpose in requiring holders of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa to obtain the Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) is to help protect the identities of these legitimate and genuine applicants. Because showing the BRPs to the UK authorities will make it easier, simpler and faster for these people to prove their true immigration status in the UK.
Now the eVisa is a simpler and easier way, according to the UKVI.
The UKVI further adds that the eVisa is an online record of the UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa holders of their immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. They need to create a UKVI account to be able to access their respective eVisas.
Benefits of eVisas include:
- The eVisa is secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document
- UK Spouse Visa holders will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after the application is decided – they might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this
- It will be quicker and easier to prove their status at the UK border, and share their status with third parties like employers and landlords
The UK Spouse visa or any other UK Settlement Visa holders can use an eVisa to travel to the UK together with their current passport which must be linked to your UKVI account. They should also get a share code to prove their immigration status before they travel. The airline or carrier will ask for it. This share code is valid for 90 days.
But aside from the benefits mentioned above, some sectors are questioning the transition from the BRP to eVisa saying there are some challenges that are apparent and in fact are being experience by holders thereof
- TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. Because of the relatively new scheme, technical issues due to the transition from BRP to eVisa are being encountered especially with the airline industry. Most airlines are having difficulty electronically verifying the e-Visa status of most UK Spouse Visa and other UK Settlement Visa holders. Some eVisa holders even encounter being refused in boarding airlines due to technical glitches.
- LACK OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT. Although technical supports have been put on stand by and operate 24/7 handling problems brought about by the eVisa holders, the number of support groups is just not enough to accommodate the hitches that come up when verifying immigration status. Authorities must put up additional tech support to remedy the technical issues.
It is likewise a smart move to always have a printed copy of the eVisa holder’s immigration status whether they are UK Spouse Visa or other UK Settlement Visa holders.
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