Travelling with digital immigration status: June update for BRP holders

As you will likely be aware of, the UK is transitioning into a digital immigration system. We have covered earlier, in 2024, that all physical immigration documents are now being transferred to a digital system called an eVisa. 

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status in the UK. Where earlier you would receive a BRP, BRC or vignettes in passports to prove your status, this is now done via your eVisa.

At the end of last year when this change was officially implemented; it was announced that a transitional measure would be implemented. This meant that people with BRPs that had expired in or after December 2024 would be able to use their BRPs to travel until 31 March 2025. 

In March, it was then announced that the transitional measure allowing people to travel on expired BRPs was extended until 1 June 2025. 

Now in June, it is no longer possible to use expired BRPs to travel. Instead, you will need an eVisa to prove your immigration status and right to enter the UK. 

If you have a valid immigration status in the UK and your BRP has expired you need to access your eVisa in order to prove your status. 

To do so, you need to set up a UKVI account on gov.uk. If your BRP is expired, you can still use it to set up your UKVI account 18 months after the date it expired. 

In Addition, it is recommended that you keep your expired BRP for any future application and record of your status. 

Once you have set up your UKVI account and can access your eVisa, make sure your current travel document, such as your passport, is linked to your UKVI account before starting any travel. 

You should also generate a sharecode from your UKVI account to prove your immigration status to carriers such as airlines or train companies. 

To avoid issues, do not attempt to use your expired BRP to travel after 2 June 2025. Make sure you follow the steps above, set up your UKVI account and link your travel document.

You can read more about eVisas in our earlier article. 

If you are facing issues with your eVisa you can find support on gov.uk.

If you are having trouble with your immigration status, it may be worth seeking legal advice to make sure your account and immigration status is correct before travelling or if you need to prove your status for work, renting or other reason.