Transition to electronic visas in the UK: grace period extended to March 31, 2025

By 2025, the UK Home Office plans to fully digitize most visa processes, modernizing the country's immigration system. The move from physical immigration documents to electronic visas (e-Visa) will be an important step in simplifying visa procedures.

Under the new guidelines, holders of Biometric Resident Permits (BRP), Biometric Resident Cards (BRC) and Indefinite Residence Stamps must switch to eVisa by the end of December 2024. However, there is a grace period for BRP and BRC visa holders whose visas expire on or after December 31, 2024 : they will be able to use their documents to travel to the UK until March 31, 2025. The Home Office is urging everyone to switch to e-visas as soon as possible to avoid potential problems.

The grace period has been extended due to technical problems that many citizens have encountered when switching to the new system. This decision will allow the temporary use of expired physical documents for international travel.

It is important to note that the changes will not affect British and Irish citizens, as well as those who have obtained British citizenship and previously held visas. The Home Office has also urged holders of paper visas to use the official portal to switch to the eVisa system. Holders of indefinite leave to remain are advised to apply for an eVisa 'No Time Limit', this is a free process.

The move to e-Visa represents a significant step forward in modernizing the UK immigration system. Not only is the process free and simple, but it also offers a number of significant benefits. The increased security of e-visas eliminates the risks of lost, stolen or forged documents, while instant verification allows visa holders to confirm their immigration status quickly and securely. In addition, the transition to eVisa does not affect existing immigration rights, providing stability for citizens. Overall, the introduction of the eVisa system promises to simplify visa procedures and improve efficiency, creating a more convenient environment for traveling and staying in the UK.

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