31 March 2025

The UK government has postponed the full transition to eVisas to at least 31 March 2025 due to concerns about potential disruption for people proving their immigration status.

However, you should move to an eVisa as soon as possible. Home Office statistics show that over 3 million people have now made the switch from using physical immigration documents to an eVisa.

To help ensure a smooth transition to eVisas, airlines and other carriers will be able to accept Biometric Residence Permits expiring on 31 December 2024 or later as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until 31 March 2025. This will be kept under review. Passengers will remain subject to the usual immigration checks and requirements, and anyone seeking to enter the UK whose underlying immigration status has expired will be liable for refusal of entry.  

It is free and straightforward to switch to an eVisa, which offers greater convenience. An eVisa cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, and allows visa holders to instantly and securely prove their immigration rights. Switching won’t change, impact or remove someone’s current rights or immigration status.