UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a system where physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRP), biometric residence cards (BRC), passport visa vignette stickers, and ink stamps confirming indefinite leave to enter or remain, will be replaced with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa which is an online record of an individual’s immigration status. The UK Home Office wants to transit from physical documents to digital documents by the end of 2024. However, with eVisa you also need to carry your updated passport.
Updating your physical documents to eVisa will not affect your leave to enter or remain status in the UK. It is intended to allow you to travel to the UK by carrying just a passport as a physical document and the rest of the documents will be available in eVisa.

How do you get an eVisa?

You need to have a UKVI online account to get an eVisa. Once registered, individuals can view and prove their status online. If you already have a BRP then you will have a UKVI account. Using this account, you can apply directly to the eVisa scheme online. You should do this before 1 January 2025 even if your current visa lasts beyond this date.
If you don’t have a BRP then you need to get a BRP first before you can apply for an eVisa. If you have an indefinite leave to enter or remain status and you use physical documents such as
a stamp or vignette in your passport to prove your status, then you first need to apply for No Time Limit (NTL) for a BRP before you can get an eVisa.
From 1 January 2025, most immigrants will not be issued BRP or other physical documents as they will be required to create a UKVI online account to access eVisa.

What is no time limit application?

Those who hold their ILR status in old styled vignette need to apply for no time limit first that will transfer their ILR status to a BRP card. A BRP card looks like a driving license where your personal details such as your name, date, and place of birth, and your biometric information are mentioned.

Who needs to apply for no time-limit application?

Anyone can apply for NTL application if they want to ‘upgrade’ their non-digital proof of ILR or ILE, for example, if they have a vignette in their passport, they can exchange this for a digital confirmation of their status in the form of an NTL BRP, if their passport containing an ILE, ILR or NTL endorsement has been lost, stolen or has expired.

Is NTL mandatory?

You need to have a UKVI online account to access eVisa. Though NTL BRP is not mandatory it has certain benefits. If you apply for NTL BRP, you can enjoy the following benefits:

NTL has enhanced security features not available on an old-style vignette (sticker) which means there is less chance of it being used fraudulently by another person
NTL BRP is proof that you have the right to stay permanently in the UK and have a right to work and access certain benefits
NTL BRP enables you to prove your right to work or rent using the Home Office online checking services, which are simple and secure and will need to be used by BRP holders from 6 April 2022
NTL BRP will facilitate travel to and from the UK

For those who already have BRC

If you already have a BRC then your status has already been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme and you already have a UKVI account and access to an eVisa thus, you don’t need to do anything to obtain an eVisa. You can prove your rights through the view and prove service and you should keep your UKVI account updated with your current passport and contact details.
In certain cases, you are sometimes required to link your E-Visa through your EUSS account.

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