From 2 June 2025, non-British/non-Irish nationals with permission to stay in the UK can no longer use their expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) or expired EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) as evidence that they have permission to travel to the UK. Overseas nationals will now need an e-Visa or, in limited cases, other valid evidence to demonstrate their permission to travel to the UK.

Those coming to the UK as visitors will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Further details are available here.

Background

As part of the Home Office’s plan to transition towards a fully digital immigration system, individuals were issued with BRPs and BRCs which expired on 31 December 2024, even if the individual's underlying permission to stay in the UK continued beyond this date. As the end of 2024 approached, the Home Office announced it would allow individuals to rely on their expired BRPs/BRCs to evidence their permission to re-enter the UK. This was to help ease the transition to the e-Visa system, recognising that those travelling outside the UK may encounter difficulties re-entering the UK while their e-Visa accounts were being set up.

Use of expired BRPs/BRCs was extended until 1 June 2025. However, the Home Office has recently confirmed that there will be no further extension and is now advising overseas nationals to check their e-Visas before they travel.

We have set out below the key points for overseas nationals to be aware of before they travel, but please see the full official travel guidance here. The full guidance also includes information on what to do if you cannot access your e-Visa.

Before you travel

Before travelling outside of the UK, overseas nationals with permission to stay in the UK should ensure that:

• If they had a BRP or BRC or have an e-Visa, they have access to their e-Visa. If they have not already done so, the individual must first create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account here.
• Their current travel document (usually their current passport) is linked to their UKVI account and that their personal details are correct – click here to update your account.
• They check their immigration status and other details in their e-Visa are displayed correctly. This is done by using this service. If the status is displayed incorrectly or if there are any other errors, the individual should report the error to the Home Office here.
• The passenger information they have provided to the carrier matches the details in their UKVI account, including the travel document they wish to use for travel.
• They obtain a share code to prove their immigration status before they travel, as the carrier may ask for this. A share code is valid for 90 days. Details on how to obtain the share code are available here.
• They check the entry, exit and transit requirements of other countries, and they should be aware that they may be asked to show evidence of their immigration status to the relevant country’s authorities.

Despite the updated guidance, the e-Visa system is not yet without flaws, as reports continue to come in of individuals having problems accessing their e-Visas. Therefore individuals may still wish to carry their expired BRP/BRC cards as a precaution, but should be aware that this may not be accepted as evidence of their UK immigration permission, even as a last resort. As an additional precaution, we also recommend that travellers carry copies of any Home Office approval letters and print outs of their e-Visas (if available).

What if I did not have a BRP or BRC and cannot set up a UKVI account to see my e-Visa?

It’s thought there are still around 300,000 people who do not yet have an e-Visa, in some cases because they obtained their immigration permission (usually indefinite leave to remain) many years before BRPs or BRCs were issued. The latest Home Office guidance states that individuals in this position will need to be able to show the carrier evidence that they have permission to enter and stay in the UK by showing their valid passport, together with valid, physical proof of their permission to enter and stay in the UK. For example:

• Passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
• Vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes

Otherwise, the Home Office warns that the individual may experience delays or complications with their travel back to the UK.

To reduce this risk, individuals who have indefinite leave to remain but who have never had a BRP and who do not have a Visa should consider submitting a free of charge No Time Limit application, which, if approved, will enable them to access an e-Visa.