The United Kingdom (UK) Home Office has recently released new guidelines for people traveling into or out of the UK with an eVisa.
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s immigration status, including their permission to travel to and stay in the UK.
It replaces physical documents, such as traditional visa vignette stickers, wet ink stamps, and biometric residence permits (BRPs).
The change aligns with the UK government’s plan to fully digitize its immigration system by 2025.
It considers digital visas more secure because they are stored online and cannot be lost or tampered with like physical documents.
The Home Office update aims to prevent potential disruptions, especially during the upcoming travel and holiday peak seasons.
New guidelines for eVisa travelers
The Home Office highlights the importance of travelers verifying that all their eVisa details are correct before leaving the country.
eVisa travelers can use the online service “View and Prove Your Immigration Status” to check their eVisa information.
This step can help avoid issues at airports, train stations, and other border checkpoints.
Immigration experts warn that an error in an individual’s eVisa could delay or even prevent them from traveling.
Some of the recommendations in the new guidelines for departing or re-entering the UK include:
Verify immigration status
eVisa travelers should confirm their immigration status online using the “View and Prove your immigration status” service.
Any issues, such as incorrect details, must be reported immediately to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office.
Update personal information
eVisa travelers should ensure their travel passport matches the one linked to their UKVI account.
For those with dual nationalities, especially if neither nationality is British or Irish, it’s essential to link the passport they intend to use for travel to their UKVI account.
Any inconsistencies between their eVisa and passport information may cause delays.
Match carrier information
eVisa travelers must guarantee that the information they provide to airlines or other carriers matches their eVisa and passport details. This alignment is crucial to avoid delays.
Similar guidelines apply for those returning and re-entering the UK with an eVisa.
Support for eVisa travelers who encounter errors or cannot access their account
Those whose UK immigration status in the online service is displaying incorrectly can report an error with their eVisa.
Assistance is available to help eVisa travelers who are unable to access their eVisa online regain access to their UKVI account.
They can try recovering it using their passport, BRP number, or visa application number.
If they continue experiencing access issues, the Home Office recommends contacting UKVI support services directly.
Official government channels support resolving account access issues and correcting errors in immigration information.
It’s crucial for those having any type of issue with their eVisa to address it before traveling to avoid potential delays.
The UK digital immigration system
The UK Government’s recent updates are part of a broader plan to transition to a fully digital immigration system.
This broader plan includes the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme for visa-exempt travelers.
The Home Office has stopped issuing BRPs after 31 October 2024, aiming to complete the eVisa transition by 2025.
This move is expected to improve border check efficiency, as digital travel documents can be checked online and are less prone to loss or theft.
Those still holding physical immigration status documents must confirm their permission to enter and stay in the UK via traditional ways.
They can do this by showing the carrier their valid passport and a physical document confirming their UK status.
However, they must start transitioning to eVisas and create a UKVI account as soon as possible.
Concerns about the eVisa transition
Still, many travelers and immigration experts have expressed concerns about potential challenges.
Those without reliable internet access or smartphones might struggle to retrieve or update their eVisa information when needed.
There are also worries about the risk of technical issues, which could delay access to essential immigration details.
To address these concerns, the UK government has set up support services for travelers who are shifting to the new eVisa system.
Support community groups will receive £4 billion in funding to assist individuals struggling with the UK’s new digital immigration system.
These groups will help people create their UKVI accounts and access their eVisas for free.
The Home Office hopes these measures will smooth the transition and ensure that everyone can benefit from the new digital system.