Home Office plans to digitalise the UK’s immigration system are in their next stages with a move towards eVisas for most visa holders by 2025.

The eVisas will act as digital proof of immigration status.

The Home Office said that from Wednesday it will begin sending emails to all those with physical immigration documents, called biometric residence permits (BRP), to invite them to create a UK Visas and Immigration account to access their eVisa.

eVisas are already used by millions of people using them across routes including the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Most physical documents, such as BRPs or cards, are being gradually phased out, with most BRPs expiring at the end of 2024.

The government says that eVisas are an important part of making the UK safer by reducing the risk of fraud, loss and abuse of physical documents, strengthening border security, and providing a more secure way to prove immigration status.

They will also pave the way for increased automation to deliver the government’s vision for a contactless border.

Invitations will be issued in phases before the process opens to all BRP holders in summer 2024.

“We’ve already taken really significant steps to digitally transform the border and immigration system, and this wider rollout of eVisas is a key part of that process,” said minister for legal migration and the border, Tom Pursglove MP. “Replacing physical immigration documents with eVisas will ensure firm control over who comes here to live, work or study, strengthening border security and preventing abuse of the immigration system, while delivering cost savings for UK taxpayers.”

Physical immigration documents will be gradually phased out by 2025, as the UK transitions to a fully digital border and immigration system.

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