Transparency data published on 12 October 2026 show that more than eight million people have now created UKVI accounts to access their electronic visas (eVisas), up 14 % on the previous quarter. The update includes, for the first time, a stock note explaining the Home Office’s estimate of how many legacy biometric-residence-permit (BRP) holders still need to register before mandatory use of eVisas becomes universal on 31 December 2026. According to the methodology note, approximately 1.7 million migrants with valid leave still rely on expiring BRP cards. UKVI plans a direct-messaging campaign this winter and has asked employers and universities to reinforce the message that staff and students must open an account, link their passport and discard paper documents. From a global-mobility standpoint, the figures suggest that many long-term assignees could lose the ability to prove their status—and therefore to work or rent—if they do not register in time. Employers should run internal audits to identify BRP holders and schedule account-creation support well before peak holiday periods. The data also show a drop in error-correction volumes following improvements to the online portal introduced in July. UKVI claims median turnaround for fixing mismatched personal details is now four working days, down from ten. The release reinforces the strategic direction of travel: by early 2027 the UK border should be fully digital, with carriers able to verify permission to travel in real time. Companies that have not yet integrated share-code checks into right-to-work workflows risk non-compliance penalties once physical cards are retired.
Source: UK Visas and Immigration
