Switch to an eVisa now!

Everyone who proves their immigration status in the UK using a physical document is required to switch to an electronic visa by the end of this year.

In May, we wrote about the Home Office’s plans to phase out Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and to replace these, and other physical documents evidencing immigration status, with electronic visas (eVisas). You can read more about that, and our recommendations for urgent steps to be taken by employers and migrants, here .

As explained in that article, the Home Office has stated that all BRPs will need to be switched to eVisas by 31 December 2024 – this is why all recently issued BRPs have an expiry date of 31 December 2024. From 1 January 2025, BRPs, and other physical documents such as visa stamps, will no longer be valid proof of your immigration status and/or Right to Work in the UK.

The Home Office have now launched a page which you can use to open a UKVI account and access your eVisa. You can do this here .

We can prepare tailored communication for employers to disseminate to their staff impacted by these changes. If you would like us to prepare this communication for you, please let us know.

Please note that, if you have a visa application outstanding or if you are planning on submitting a visa application shortly, we recommend that you hold off on accessing your eVisa for the time being, to avoid any confusion over the document being used to make your visa application. You may be automatically granted an eVisa if your visa application is successful.

If you are an employer, you will need to repeat your Right to Work checks for all migrant workers who obtain an eVisa. We now offer a Right to Work audit service, to help you confirm that you have carried out your Right to Work checks properly and minimise your exposure to illegal working penalties of up to ￡60,000 per worker.

If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch at [email protected]

Our Immigration team can assist with compliance for sponsorship and right to work. We offer mock audits which will help to identify any weaknesses in your HR processes or systems.? Additionally, we offer bespoke training on right to work checks and sponsorship management system for Level 1 users. If we can be of assistance please contact Head of Immigration, Imelda Reddington , at: [email protected]

We will closely monitor immigration law changes throughout 2024 and will publish information monthly in this newsletter. If you want to keep up to date with the latest developments in more details please sign up?to our FSP mailing list to receive our bi-monthly newsletter.

Our employment team are hosting a free HR Networking event at Carluccio's on the morning of Tuesday 10 September. This month, alongside the usual networking, the team will be inviting discussions about Labour’s forthcoming employment law changes. Whilst much of the detail is yet to be announced, this remains a hot topic and the team look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in small break out groups for those who wish to participate. The event will provide an opportunity to network with HR professionals and our team of employment solicitors, as well as to enjoy some breakfast pastries and a tea or coffee! You can learn more and sign up for this free event, here .