UK promotes eVisa transition, urges everyone to switch over

The UK government has initiated a major drive encouraging immigrants, including Indian nationals, to switch from physical immigration documents to eVisas.

This is part of the government’s broader plan to digitise its entire border and immigration system by 2025.

Those holding biometric residence permits (BRP), visa vignette stickers in passports, ink stamps confirming indefinite leave to remain, or biometric residence cards (BRC) are all required to transition to the online eVisa system.

Most of the BRPs are set to expire by December 2024, and hence are being transitioned online in phases.

The status is digital and the immigrants can access it through a personal account that will be created with UKVI.

India-origin British Home Office Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra has asked all immigrants holding physical documents to take a step towards the eVisas.

She said that free consultation and help would be provided for those who require information about the process.

Within the scope of the transition plan, the UK government has provided 4 million in grant funding to organisations of voluntary and community sector across the UK.

These funds will be used to face challenges that the needy persons might encounter while switching to eVisas. Other organisations like Migrant Help, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Welsh Refugee Council and Advice NI will offer support in an independent manner.

Further, a public relations campaign will also be launched at the national level to educate people about the change and to prepare them to act before the many immigration documents expire in December. 2024.