The UK’s long-trailed move to a fully digital immigration system accelerated on 12 June when UKVI confirmed that holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) will be required to create an online UKVI account and switch to an electronic visa—an "eVisa"—linked to their passport. The change affects skilled-worker assignees, intra-company transferees, students and family-route migrants alike. BRPs, originally introduced to meet EU anti-fraud standards, expire on 31 December 2027. From that date travellers will no longer be able to rely on a plastic card at the UK border; instead, carriers and Border Force officers will verify status digitally in a model similar to Australia’s ETA. The Home Office says millions have already received eVisas through schemes such as the EU Settlement Scheme, but the switch for BRP-holders will be phased, with email invitations issued in tranches throughout 2026-27.
![UK Rolls Out Digital eVisa: Physical Biometric Residence Permits to Be Phased Out by 2027]()
Navigating the new digital landscape can feel complex, and this is where VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) proves invaluable: the service lets individuals and corporate mobility teams check visa requirements, renew travel documents and track eVisa applications in one dashboard, offering an extra layer of reassurance alongside the official UKVI tools.
For HR and mobility managers the operational impact is immediate. Staff who travel frequently must ensure their UKVI account always reflects the passport they are presenting; failure to update a renewed passport could trigger airline "no-board" decisions. Employers using the online "View and Prove" service for right-to-work checks should refresh internal guides and train hiring managers, particularly in regional offices where paper BRP checks remain common. The digital shift also dovetails with the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme for non-visa nationals and the eGate age-expansion to 10 years. Combined, these initiatives aim to create a frictionless, "contactless" border in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when trans-Atlantic passenger volumes are forecast to spike. Practical tips: circulate a checklist asking sponsored staff to (1) set up their UKVI account; (2) confirm email addresses and mobile numbers; (3) upload details of any new passports within 48 hours of receipt; and (4) download the share-code for right-to-work audits. Global mobility teams should schedule an "eVisa readiness" webinar this quarter and build passport-renewal reminders into assignment management systems.
Navigating the new digital landscape can feel complex, and this is where VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) proves invaluable: the service lets individuals and corporate mobility teams check visa requirements, renew travel documents and track eVisa applications in one dashboard, offering an extra layer of reassurance alongside the official UKVI tools.
For HR and mobility managers the operational impact is immediate. Staff who travel frequently must ensure their UKVI account always reflects the passport they are presenting; failure to update a renewed passport could trigger airline "no-board" decisions. Employers using the online "View and Prove" service for right-to-work checks should refresh internal guides and train hiring managers, particularly in regional offices where paper BRP checks remain common. The digital shift also dovetails with the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme for non-visa nationals and the eGate age-expansion to 10 years. Combined, these initiatives aim to create a frictionless, "contactless" border in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when trans-Atlantic passenger volumes are forecast to spike. Practical tips: circulate a checklist asking sponsored staff to (1) set up their UKVI account; (2) confirm email addresses and mobile numbers; (3) upload details of any new passports within 48 hours of receipt; and (4) download the share-code for right-to-work audits. Global mobility teams should schedule an "eVisa readiness" webinar this quarter and build passport-renewal reminders into assignment management systems.
