London, Sept 19: The UK on Wednesday launched a major drive urging all immigrants across the country, including Indians, who are using a physical immigration document to take immediate action to transition to an eVisa.As part of plans to fully digitise the UK border and immigration system, all those using a physical biometric residence permit (BRP), a passport containing a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp confirming their “indefinite leave to enter/remain” in the country, or biometric residence card (BRC) as evidence of their immigration rights will be switched over to an entirely online system by next year.
A majority of the BRPs are set to expire towards the end of this year and are being automatically transitioned online in phases to be accessed by creating and logging into a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account.
“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 Seema Malhotra, the Indian-origin Minister for Migration and Citizenship at the UK Home Office.
To help with the transition process, during which physical documentation will still be accepted, the Home Office is laying out around GBP 4 million of grant funding from this month to a UK-wide network of voluntary and community sector organisations to provide independent support for “vulnerable customers” unsure about accessing eVisas.
A nationwide advertising campaign will also raise awareness of the move to eVisas and encourage those affected to take action before many immigration documents expire in December 2024.
“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 Seema Malhotra, the Indian-origin Minister for Migration and Citizenship at the UK Home Office.
To help with the transition process, during which physical documentation will still be accepted, the Home Office is laying out around GBP 4 million of grant funding from this month to a UK-wide network of voluntary and community sector organisations to provide independent support for “vulnerable customers” unsure about accessing eVisas.
A nationwide advertising campaign will also raise awareness of the move to eVisas and encourage those affected to take action before many immigration documents expire in December 2024.