UK extends deadline to switch to e-visas

The United Kingdom has extended temporary arrangements allowing holders of expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) to continue accessing certain immigration services as the country advances its transition to a fully digital immigration system, according to an update published by Fragomen.Under the revised arrangements, holders of expired BRPs can continue using the documents to access most e-visa services until December 31, 2026.

The extension replaces an earlier deadline that would have ended acceptance of expired BRPs in June 2026.However, the continued use of expired BRPs will not apply to right-to-work checks, right-to-rent checks, European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications, individuals granted immigration status after the withdrawal of BRPs who were not issued a card, or those whose BRPs have been lost.Different deadlines for biometric residence cardsAs per Fragomen report, expired Biometric Residence Cards will remain valid until December 31, 2026 for non-EUSS purposes.For individuals using BRCs in connection with the EU Settlement Scheme, the validity period has been extended until December 31, 2030.

Previously, expired BRCs were expected to stop being accepted for all purposes after December 31, 2026.The updated policy means that BRC holders covered by the EU Settlement Scheme will have an additional four years to use their expired cards for relevant immigration purposes.Part of UK's shift to digital immigration recordsThe changes form part of the UK's ongoing move from physical immigration documents to digital immigration status records, known as e-visas.According to Fragomen, the UK government began phasing out BRPs and BRCs in 2024 as part of its immigration system modernisation programme.

Since then, authorities have repeatedly extended transitional arrangements governing the use of expired documents while the digital system is rolled out.The latest extension provides additional time for affected migrants to access immigration services during the transition, although the permitted uses and expiry timelines continue to differ between BRPs and BRCs. ...