NEW DELHI: As a part of its plan to digitise border and country’s immigration system, the United Kingdom (UK) government has asked immigrants across the country to use eVisa rather than physical documents.

In an effort to fully digitise the UK border and immigration system, immigrants currently using a physical biometric residence permit (BRP), a passport with a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp indicating their indefinite leave to enter/remain in the country, or a biometric residence card (BRC) to prove their immigration rights will be transitioned to a completely online system by next year.

This means that the Indian students who will be heading to the UK on a student visa for the September 2024 or January 2025 intake will still receive a BRP, but may be contacted by the authorities to to transition to the online version. The Indian students who are already in the UK will also have to follow the same process.

The Home Office plans to replace physical documents with a fully digital immigration system by the end of 2024. This change will enable users to access their immigration status online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system.

In order to assist with the transition process, the Home Office will be providing approximately GBP 4 million in grant funding starting this month to voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK. This funding is intended to support the vulnerable immigrants who may have concerns about accessing eVisas, especially during the period when physical documentation will still be accepted.

The UK government will allocate grant funding to Migrant Help, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Welsh Refugee Council, and Advice NI. The funding will be distributed across all regions of the United Kingdom to provide immediate and free support for vulnerable individuals who are facing challenges with their transition to an eVisa.

The government is planning to have a phased approach in implementing these digital services with an aim to give secure and seamless digital journey by 2025.

“Everyone with physical immigration documents is urged to take action now to switch to an eVisa, and I want to reassure those who need it that free advice and support is available,” said Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra.

Agencies

Agencies