Major UK Visa Update in June 2025: Goodbye BRP Cards, Hello e-Visas

If you’re planning to travel, work, study, or settle in the UK, there’s a vital change coming your way. Starting June and July 2025, the UK government is moving away from physical immigration documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and switching to a fully digital system called e-Visas. This shift will transform how visa holders prove their immigration status, making the process more streamlined and secure.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the new e-Visa system and how it affects your UK visa application or residency.

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What Exactly Is an e-Visa?

An e-Visa is a digital record of your UK immigration status, accessible anytime through your personal UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account. Unlike traditional paper or plastic documents, the e-Visa exists entirely online, eliminating the need for physical cards or passport stickers.

This new digital approach replaces:

• Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)

• Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)

• Visa vignette stickers in passports

• Physical entry clearance stamps

The UK government aims to create a safer, faster, and more convenient immigration system by going paperless.

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Key Changes Coming in 2025: What You Need to Know

1. From June 2, 2025: Expired BRPs and BRCs Won’t Be Valid for Travel

If you currently hold an expired BRP or BRC, it will no longer be accepted as valid travel documentation from June 2, 2025. Instead, you’ll need to:

• Set up a UKVI online account

• Link your current passport or ID to your account

• Access your immigration status digitally via your e-Visa

This means no more carrying plastic cards or relying on physical proof of your UK visa status.

2. From July 15, 2025: Some Visa Applicants Won’t Receive Physical Vignettes

For those applying for UK study or work visas, the traditional vignette sticker placed in passports will be phased out. Instead, your visa permission will be granted solely as an e-Visa linked to your UKVI account. You’ll need to use this digital record to prove your right to enter and stay in the UK.

Note: Vignettes will still be issued for dependents and other visa categories outside study and work.

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Who Will Need an e-Visa?

The e-Visa system applies to anyone granted permission to stay in the UK for more than six months or those with Indefinite Leave to Remain. This includes:

• Skilled workers

• International students

• Family visa holders

• Long-term visitors and residents

If you fall into one of these categories, you’ll soon be managing your immigration status entirely online.

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Benefits of the e-Visa System

Switching to e-Visas brings several advantages:

• Enhanced Security: Digital records can’t be lost, stolen, or tampered with like physical cards.

• Instant Access: No waiting for cards to arrive in the post — your status is available immediately online.

• Easy Sharing: Share your immigration status securely with employers, landlords, or airlines using time-limited digital codes.

• Faster Border Processing: UK border officials can quickly verify your status electronically, speeding up entry.

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Important Considerations and Special Cases

No More Physical BRP Replacements

If you lose or damage your BRP after June 2025, it will not be replaced with a physical card. Your e-Visa accessed through your UKVI account will be the only valid proof of your immigration status.

Existing Settlements and Statuses

• If you have settlement status based on old stamps or vignette stickers, you’ll need to apply for a “No Time Limit” (NTL) digital status conversion.

• EU Settlement Scheme and Windrush Scheme holders will receive their e-Visas automatically once their applications are approved.

Applying from Overseas

Applicants applying from outside the UK will still need to prove their identity through biometric checks at Visa Application Centers or via the UK Immigration ID Check app (for eligible biometric passport holders). However, from July 15, 2025, study and work visa applicants will only receive an e-Visa—no physical vignette sticker.

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How to Prepare for the e-Visa Transition

1. Create Your UKVI Account Early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Set up your online account to access your e-Visa smoothly.

2. Link Your Passport or ID: Ensure your current travel document is connected to your UKVI profile.

3. Keep Digital Records Updated: Regularly check your immigration status online and notify UKVI of any changes.

4. Learn to Share Your Status: Familiarize yourself with how to securely share your e-Visa with employers, landlords, or airlines.

5. Stay Informed: Follow official UK Home Office announcements to stay ahead of any further changes.

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Final Thoughts

The UK’s move to digital e-Visas marks a major modernization of immigration processes. This change promises greater security, convenience, and speed for millions of visa holders and residents. By understanding how e-Visas work and preparing in advance, you can ensure a seamless transition and avoid travel disruptions.

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Ready to Make the Switch?

If you’re applying for a UK visa or already hold one, start by creating your UKVI online account today. Stay informed, stay prepared, and embrace the future of UK immigration with e-Visas.

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Discover the UK’s transition from BRP cards to digital e-Visas starting June 2025. Learn how this affects visa applicants, benefits of e-Visas, and how to prepare for the change.