The Government of the United Kingdom, UK, has replaced the Biometric Residence Permits, BRPs, with a new digital system, eVisa, for confirming immigration status.
According to the UK government, BRPs will no longer be issued from January 1, 2025 as the current BRP system is being replaced.
eVisa has been in use since 2018 for those who applied through the EU Settlement Scheme.
An eVisa is an online record of an immigrant’s status. It contains information on the validity and conditions of an immigrant’s permission to enter or reside in the UK.
Whilst problems with the eVisa system have been reported by current users, the UK Government still considers eVisas to be more secure and convenient.
The intention is to remove the need for BRPs from January 1, 2025, as individuals will be able to prove their immigration status online and will be able to use an eVisa to enter the UK.
BRPs has been said to be expensive to produce and administer, and can be easily lost or stolen.
It is also said to be limited in the information they can provide in relation to an individual’s immigration status as BRPs do not show whether an individual has the right to work or to rent.
The UK Government believes that the new digital immigration status system will be more efficient, secure, and convenient than the current BRP system as it will allow individuals to prove their immigration status online, without having to carry a physical BRP. This will be particularly beneficial for individuals who frequently travel.
Individuals who currently hold a BRP will not need to replace it when it expires. Instead, they will be able to use their BRP until it expires and then prove their immigration status online.
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