From 2 June 2025, travellers to the UK can no longer use expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) or EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) as proof of their immigration status. Only digital eVisas will now be accepted to confirm permission to enter the UK, with limited exceptions. This follows the end of the Home Office’s transitional period, which had temporarily allowed the use of expired permits beyond their printed expiry date of 31 December 2024.
Individuals with permission to stay in the UK must now ensure they have set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and that their eVisa is linked to their current passport. Travellers who have not done this risk being denied boarding, even if they have valid immigration permission.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of your UK immigration status. It contains details about the type and duration of your permission to be in the UK. It replaces physical immigration documents such as BRPs and BRCs.
To access your eVisa, you must create a UKVI account. You can then view your immigration status, share your status using a ‘share code’, and manage your personal details. Even if your BRP or BRC has expired, it can still be used to set up your UKVI account.
Travelling to the UK with an eVisa
Although expired BRPs/BRCs were temporarily accepted for re-entry to the UK after 31 December 2024, this grace period ended on 1 June 2025. These documents are no longer accepted as evidence of immigration status for travel purposes. Instead, travellers will require a valid eVisa.
eVisas are linked to your current passport or travel document. When travelling, border officials will use this digital link to verify your status. You must ensure that your passport details are up to date in your UKVI account before travelling.
Carriers may deny boarding if your digital status cannot be matched to your passport. You should therefore confirm your passport is correctly linked in your UKVI account, check that all personal and immigration details are accurate and obtain a share code before travelling, which may be requested by your airline or other carrier.
Transition to eVisas
Anyone who previously relied on an expired BRP or BRC must now use their eVisa to re-enter the UK. Those who have not yet set up their eVisa risk being denied boarding, even if they have valid immigration permission.
People who received their immigration status many years ago before BRPs were introduced may still hold valid proof in older formats, such as passport stamps or visa vignettes. These legacy documents remain acceptable for now, although the Home Office encourages holders to switch to an eVisa.
A free ‘No Time Limit’ application is available for those with indefinite leave to remain and no current digital record.
Although expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer accepted for travel, they can still help individuals set up their eVisa account if this has not already been done.
While expired BRPs may still be used for some purposes inside the UK, such as generating right to work or rent share codes, they must not be relied on for travel. These limited uses are permitted for up to 18 months after the BRP expiry date, provided the person’s underlying immigration status remains valid.
Travel Checklist
Before leaving or returning to the UK, individuals should take a number of key steps to ensure their immigration status can be properly verified at the border.
First, check that your eVisa is accessible through your UKVI account. If you have not yet set up an account, this must be done in advance using your personal details and a valid identity document.
Next, confirm that your current passport or travel document is correctly linked to your UKVI account. The information in your account must match the details in your travel document, or you may be delayed or denied boarding.
Before travelling, generate a share code using the ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service. This code is valid for 90 days and may be requested by your airline or carrier to confirm your permission to enter the UK.
As a precaution, carry a printed copy of your eVisa status page and any relevant Home Office correspondence confirming your immigration permission. This can help avoid confusion if digital access is disrupted.
If you are travelling via another country, check the entry, exit and transit requirements for that country, as you may be asked to show evidence of your UK immigration status by foreign authorities.
Travellers are strongly advised to take these steps well in advance of their journey to avoid disruption.
Need Assistance?
For expert guidance on UK entry requirements, speak to our immigration specialists.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
