Biometric Residence Permits Fully Phased Out—eVisa Now Mandatory

The UK Home Office has completed its transition from physical immigration documents to a fully digital system. As of 2026, the Biometric Residence Permit is obsolete. Every visa holder with prior permission must have created a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their digital eVisa; expired physical cards are no longer acceptable proof of status.

What You Must Do

• Create a UKVI account at gov.uk/evisa to access your eVisa
• Link your current passport to your digital profile (critical for travel)
• Generate a Share Code (valid 90 days) to prove right to work or residency to employers and landlords
• Update your passport in your UKVI account if you renew—mismatched passport numbers cause airline boarding denials

Many banks and third-party service providers are still adjusting to the digital system; some incorrectly reject eVisas as proof of identity. If this happens, escalate to management and refer them to Home Office guidance. Carriers now verify status directly with the Home Office via the Airline Liaison Officer system, so you do not need to show a physical document at the airport—but your passport must be correctly linked.

Travel concessions for expired BRPs ended June 2, 2025. From that date onward, expired BRPs are invalid for international travel. If you have not yet created a UKVI account or linked your current passport, do so immediately. Technical glitches occasionally occur; generate a Share Code for your employer before your first day to avoid right-to-work delays.

Sources

• Davidson Morris — BRP to eVisa FAQs 2026
• Judge Law — The End of BRPs: A Guide to the UK's New Digital eVisa System
• GOV.UK — Information on the move from physical documents to eVisas