Biometric residence permits and eVisas – what does HR need to know?

Some employers might have noticed that the biometric residence permits (BRPs) held by their employees are expiring on 31 December 2024.

This is part of the Home Office's drive to operate a more digitised immigration system. Physical BRPs are being replaced by a system of eVisas which can be accessed through each BRP holder's online UKVI account.

Online UKVI account

Initially, those with indefinite leave to remain were to receive an email inviting them to set up their online UKVI account. Now, since 6 August 2024, anyone with a biometric residence permit (or a frontier worker permit) is able to create an online UKVI account through a dedicated website.

Individuals will need a smartphone to complete the process. They will also need a mobile phone and email address that they can use when accessing their UKVI account going forward, plus their up-to-date passport details and BRP (or visa application number).

HR teams might want to share this update with all staff members in case you have any BRP holders who have either not received an invite to set up an account, or who might not be aware that they will need to do this before their BRP expires (likely to be on 31 December 2024).

eVisas

An eVisa is an online record of an individual's immigration status and restrictions that may apply to them. It is accessed through the UKVI account that individuals are required to create. It is intended to replace the need to have a physical BRP (from 1 January 2025).

The UKVI account and eVisa will allow members of staff to evidence their immigration status without having a physical document including for right to work check purposes.

Travel up to 31 January 2024

Please note that current BRPs should still be used when travelling back into the UK up to 31 December 2024.

If you have staff members who will be travelling on business (or for personal purposes) before the end of the year, you may want to remind them that they should still carry their current BRP with them so that it can be used to re-enter the UK.

Travel from 1 January 2025

Staff members travelling in the new year should be able to travel without having to carry their BRP. They will be able to travel and return to the UK using their passport, providing the passport that they are travelling with is the passport that is linked to their UKVI account.

Keeping a UKVI account up to date

It will be important going forward to make sure that an online UKVI account is kept up to date with an eVisa holder's current details.

If a member of staff renews their passport, they will need to make sure that they update their UKVI account to link their new passport to their account so that they can re-enter the UK using that passport.

What actions should we take?

HR teams might want to communicate with employees - especially migrant workers who have a visa - so that they are aware of the changes (see the resources to share section below).
Those visa holders going on business trips outside of the UK at around the time of the changes might also need reminded to ensure they don’t forget to create an account or to ensure that their current passport is recorded in the system.
Employees carrying out right to work checks might need to know about the changes. Note that just because the BRP has expired does not mean that the visa has expired on 31 December 2024.