Following the announcement earlier this year confirming the expiry of all biometric residence permits (BRPs) by 31 December 2024, the Home Office have since confirmed plans to delay this deadline until at least 31 March 2025. The decision to postpone the system, it seems, was caused by concerns relating to travel disruption.

The rules on this topic are fast-moving, and so it is essential for businesses to understand the implications of this, and ensure that your workforce transitions smoothly to the new digital border and immigration system.

To assist you in guiding your team through this process, we’ve outlined a clear, step-by-step guide for converting a BRP to an eVisa.

The government has indicated that the process of converting a BRP to eVisa is both free and straightforward. This is partly true, and will depend on individual circumstances. With this being a digital process, individuals will be expected to own a smartphone, have an email address, and possess a reasonable degree of tech literacy.

The process of converting a BRP to eVisa has two stages to it: creating your account online and then confirming your identity using your phone. Ensure you have your smartphone, passport, and BRP to hand before you start the process. It may be worthwhile completing the first stage using your laptop or PC.

Stage one: creating your account online.

1. 1. From your internet browser, access the government website using this link and click the big green button that reads “start now”. Answer three questions relating to your BRP.
   2. You are now asked to “create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account”. Click the green button again. You will be asked to choose either your BRP or passport to prove your identity.
   3. Once an option is chosen, fill in the required personal information and you will be sent an email to confirm you have created your account. Keep this page open.

Stage two: confirming your identity.

1. 1. Using your phone, download the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app from the App Store or Google Play.
   2. To connect the app to your account, you can either use your smartphone camera to scan the QR code on your laptop or PC internet browser or request a connection code which is sent either to your email or telephone number.
   3. Once you are logged into the app, you will be asked to take a picture of your BRP or passport. This is easier said than done and may take some perseverance whilst the phone recognises the document. The app supposedly scans passports with less difficulty than it does a BRP. Expect this part to take around ten minutes and make sure you are in a well-lit room.
   4. You will then be asked to scan the chip in your passport. This means placing your smartphone on top of your closed passport. This may also take a while and the app may ask you to place your smartphone on your passport in different angles until the app identifies the chip.
   5. Once the chip is scanned, the app will ask you to take a picture of yourself. An oval shape will appear on the app and you will need to keep your face within this whilst your features are scanned.

This final step concludes the process of converting a BRP to eVisa. You will then receive a further no-reply email from the Home Office confirming they will now process your eVisa. It could take minutes or days until you receive a follow-up email confirming that you may now view your eVisa.

Our experienced team of immigration lawyers are on hand to advise and help you navigate the complex UK immigration system. We’d be happy to have a discussion with any individuals or organisations looking for assistance.

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