Dear non-EEA citizen with pre-settled or settled status,

Settled is a charitable organization dedicated to helping EEA and Swiss citizens and their non-EEA family members living in the UK whose rights were affected by Brexit. We worked hard to ensure as many as possible secured their immigration status before the deadline in June 2021. We now continue to provide information, advice and support to EEA, Swiss and non-EEA citizens, including people who struggle to prove their immigration status.

With this letter, Settled would like to inform you of some changes that will affect you and provide tools for self-help in case of issues when travelling back to the UK. You can download this letter by clicking here: Settled Letter_Travelling to the UK

You may already know that the majority of Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) expired on 31^st December 2024. This is because the Home Office is going to use an entirely digital system for non-EEA citizens as well. The expiry of your BRC will not affect the validity of your pre-settled/settled status.

You DO NOT need to apply for an e-visa. The only action you need to take is to link a valid passport to your immigration status. Information on e-visas and who needs them, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa

The full digitalisation of the Home Office immigration system has been postponed to 2^nd June 2025. This means that carriers are allowed to accept expired BRPs or EUSS BRCs as valid evidence of permission to travel until 1^st June 2025 included. From 2^nd June 2025 onwards, this will no longer be possible: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-have-now-taken-action-to-access-their-evisa

You need to have a valid passport linked to your immigration status. To link your passport to your immigration status, use this link: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details/update-your-ukvi-account

It may happen that the carrier or border force will ask you to prove your immigration status. You can do so by accessing your UKVI account: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

When travelling, make sure to take with you:

• A printed copy of your status approval letter;
• Your expired BRC;
• A screenshot of your “view and prove” page;
• A share code generated before departing;
• A copy of this letter to show in case needed.

Please save the links above somewhere on your phone so that you can use them if needed and show their content to the foreign border officers/carriers.

In case you experience issues, do not panic, try to explain your circumstances clearly and provide the documentation required.  The Home Office is operating a passenger support helpline for people that are travelling to the UK shortly and that are struggling to demonstrate their permission to travel. The advisers operating this service will be unable to fix technical issues or contact carriers on your behalf. The helpline can be reached on 0800 876 6921 free of charge and it is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time and closed at weekends and on bank holidays. If it is impossible to call 0800 numbers, there is an alternative number you may call: 0203 337 0927, which may result in charges.  

Please note that this information is accurate as of 11^th March 2025.

Best wishes,

Settled Team