The Home Office has estimated that although over four million individuals have now successfully switched to an eVisa, there are still around 600,000 individuals currently holding a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Biometric Residence Card (BRC) who have not yet created a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account. In response, the Home Office has further extended the validity of expired BRPs and BRCs for international travel, provided individuals have continued leave.
Originally, the deadline for using an expired BRP or BRC for travel was 31 March 2025. This has now been extended to 1 June 2025 to ensure a smoother transition to the new digital system. The extension follows feedback from stakeholders and aims to mitigate ongoing technical challenges with the eVisa rollout.
The eVisa system has been operational for several years as part of the UK Government’s broader efforts to modernise immigration processes by replacing physical documents such as BRPs and BRCs with an online verification system. The goal was to fully transition all UK visa holders to eVisas by the end of 2024.
While eVisas promise long-term efficiency and convenience, technical challenges – including difficulty accessing eVisas and generating share codes – have raised significant concerns. Many physical BRPs and BRCs display an expiry date of 31 December 2024, which had previously created confusion among travellers. The Home Office’s update addresses these concerns by ensuring that expired BRPs and BRCs remain valid for travel until 1 June 2025, offering reassurance to affected individuals.
The transition to eVisas marks a significant change in how UK immigration status is verified. While the system offers long-term benefits, the rollout has encountered challenges, creating uncertainty for many residents. The Home Office’s further extension and confirmation that expired BRPs and BRCs remain valid for travel until 1 June 2025 provide reassurance and ensure smoother travel during this interim phase.
Despite these extended transitional measures, BRP and BRC holders who have not yet applied for an eVisa are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid potential delays or issues when travelling in the future.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration status, please contact a member of the team here, for expert advice.
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