London, Dec 6: The UK introduced a grace period until March 2025, during which time expired physical documentation will be accepted for international travel as visa holders make the transition to an entirely online eVisa system.As part of an ongoing Home Office drive, all visa holders ā including many Indians ā using a physical biometric residence permit (BRP), a passport containing a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp confirming their āindefinite leave to enter/remainā in the country, or biometric residence card (BRC) as evidence of their immigration rights, were given until the end of December to make the switch to an eVisa.
While the Home Office claims over 3.1 million people have already switched over to an eVisa, there are believed to be several others who have been unable to meet the year-end deadline ā having encountered technical issues, among other reasons.
āFor those who are yet to switch to an eVisa, a wide range of guidance and support is available,ā said Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship.
āI have been listening to feedback from visa holders, stakeholders and MPs, and we are continually streamlining and adapting to ensure this is a smooth transition. As part of that, I am pleased to confirm greater flexibility on carriers accepting expired documents to smooth the transition for those travelling internationally without compromising on border security,ā she said.
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.
Now, as a āfallbackā to help ensure a smooth transition to eVisas, airlines and other carriers will be able to accept BRPs and BRCs expiring on December 31, 2024, or later as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until March 31 next year. The Home Office said this date will be kept āunder reviewā and passengers will remain subject to the usual immigration checks and requirements.
āAnyone seeking to enter the UK whose underlying immigration status has expired will be liable for refusal of entry,ā the Home Office said.
It issued another appeal this week for paper visa holders to access the eVisa network through the GOV.UK online system and make the switch.
Anyone with indefinite leave to remain who uses an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents for another three months and are encouraged to make a āNo Time Limit applicationā to access an eVisa.