1. No new or replacement BRPs/BRCs – effective 26 September 2024

The Home Office has closed the “Upgrade, update, replace, transfer, or switch your immigration document” process. No new or replacement Biometric Residence Permits / Cards (BRPs or BRCs) will be issued. This is because UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system,  replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.

• If you have a BRP under a Ukrainian Scheme visa, we will soon be sharing video guidance in Ukrainian on the process of creating an immigration account and linking to an eVisa. Here is Home Office guidance relating to this situation.
• If you have pre-settled or status under the EUSS, you already have an immigration account – there is no need to apply for an eVisa. Here is Home Office guidance on this situation. Please note the following points.
• The Home Office recommends that current BRPs / BRCs continue to be used until their expiry date. However, they strongly advise retaining the expired document for at least 12 months beyond the expiration date, as expired BRPs / BRCs may still be accepted in certain situations.
• If you are a non-EEA citizen with EUSS status, please see our guidance on travel arrangements relating to changes coming in at the end of December 2024, and on connecting your UKVI account to your passport.

2. Booking biometric appointments – effective 15 October 2024

From 15 October 2024, UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) will no longer be managed by Sopra Steria UK – TLScontact will take over the service. A new website will be used to book appointments to give biometric information.

• Up until 14 October 2024, appointments should still be booked with Sopra Steria UK, via your UKVCAS account at ukvcas.co.uk.
• From 15 October 2024, appointments should be booked with TLScontact through gov.uk/sign-in-visa.
• Any documents uploaded to the current UKVCAS website will be securely transferred to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at midnight on 14 October 2024. You will not need to re-upload them with the new provider.
• If additional documents are required, they must be uploaded via Sopra Steria UK before 14 October 2024, or via the new provider once the appointment is booked.

For further details on these changes, please refer to the Service Status on the UKVCAS website.

3. If you need help creating a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa

• The Home Office has added new information on their Online Immigration Status (eVisa) webpage. 
• You can ask for help with creating a UKVI account and getting access to an eVisa.
• If you do not have internet access or do not have access to a device like a computer, laptop or smart phone, you can get help filling in your online application. 
• If you are a vulnerable person, you may be able to get additional help to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. For this purpose, ‘vulnerable’ includes people with significant language or literacy problems, elderly or isolated people, people with mental health challenges, and many others.