Working in the UK
- Iwona Bycroft
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
Information for employers and their employees on BRPs and eVisa
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system, which means replacing physical documents with an online record of the migrant or sponsored worker’s immigration status. This is referred to as an eVisa. Due to this change, physical BRP cards are no longer being issued.
The UKVI have provided guidance for overseas applications, their employers and sponsors, on Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) to include information about the UKVI’s plan to replace physical documents with an online record of their immigration status (eVisa).
Employers and sponsors may wish to inform or remind any migrant / sponsored workers who have BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024 that they should create a UKVI account now if they have not already done so. This is imperative if they are looking to travel outside the UK and Common Travel Area (CTA) over the festive period and return after January 2025.
A UKVI account must be created for the migrant / sponsored worker to access their eVisa and share information about their immigration status and conditions, such as their right to work or rent in the UK.
Where an employee has indefinite leave to enter or remain (also known as settlement) and they currently prove their rights through a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in their passport or a vignette sticker, then they should make a free ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application. Once their NTL application has been decided, they will receive an eVisa. They will be told how to access their eVisa in their decision email or letter.
Once the employee sets up their UKVI account, it is important that this is updated if there are any changes of circumstance or they obtain a new passport / travel document, as the eVisa will be linked to the passport on their account. If their passport / travel document changes and they do not update their UKVI account and link their eVisa to this new document, this could cause issues for them when travelling and returning to the UK.
Further information about creating and updating their UKVI account can be viewed here. A UKVI account can be created here. The Home Office (UKVI) has also published help videos explaining what an eVisa is and how to access and use one – this can be viewed here.
Illegal Working Penalities - published Quarterly Report (Q3 2024)
The Home Office (UKVI) have published their quarterly report on the total number of fines (civil penalties) for illegal working issued to non-compliant employers in the UK.
The quarterly report shows that during the period 1 April to 30 June 2024 a total of 568 penalties were issued, a total of 861 illegal workers were found, and the total value of penalties issued was £21,485,000.
The quarterly report on civil penalties issued can be viewed here.
Current Visa Processing Times - Work visas
The Home Office (UKVI) have published their current decision waiting times for those applying from inside or outside the UK.
Those applying to switch or extend their work visa from within the UK, should receive a decision within 8 weeks of attending their biometric appointment or the date the application / documents were received by the UKVI (if no appointment is required). Applications made under the Health and Care Visa normally receive a decision within 3 weeks if applied for from inside the UK. The latest processing times for those applying from inside the UK can be viewed here.
Those applying for a work visa from outside the UK, should get a decision within 3 weeks once they have either attended their appointment at the visa application centre (VAC)or used the ID Check app and submitted their application/supporting documents. The latest processing times for those applying from outside the UK can be viewed here.
Applicants may be able to pay an additional fee to expedite their applications for a quicker decision.
