Immigration Corner | Proof of immigration status by use of an eVisa

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am told that I will need to provide proof of my immigration status by use of an eVisa. I am hoping that you can advise me on this.

NG

Dear NG,

Persons will usually have an eVisa if they have permission to stay in the United Kingdom (UK) for longer than six months or have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Those persons who do not already have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account will need to set up the access to their eVisa.

After setting up their UKVI account, persons will need to sign in to the account to check that their details are up to date and that their eVisa is linked to their current passport or travel document.

Persons should be aware that if travelling to the UK, they will still need to carry their current passport or travel document with them. They should also get a share code to prove their immigration status before travelling. A share code is valid for 90 days. They should also carry any valid physical immigration document which shows that they have permission to travel to the UK.

It should be noted that persons may be able to use an expired physical immigration document to travel to the UK if all the following apply:

• Their document is a Biometric Resident Card (BRC) issued through the EU Settlement Scheme or a Biometric Resident Permit (BRP);

• It expired on or after December 31, 2024;

• They still have permission to stay in the UK;

• They travel to the UK before or on March 31, 2025.

Please note that the carrier may ask to see the share code or physical immigration document.

Persons who do not have a way to show their permission to travel can no longer apply for a replacement BRP or BRC. However, depending on their circumstances, persons may be able to apply for:

• A temporary visa;

• EU Settlement Scheme travel permit;

• Returning Resident visa.

A temporary visa is a short-term sticker (vignette) in the passport. It costs £154 and will let persons re-enter the UK only once. Also, an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit is free. It lets persons return to the UK if they have settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme.

Just for completeness, please note that persons may be able to get a Returning Resident visa if they have been out of the UK for over two years. It costs £637 and will let them re-enter the UK once only.

IF TRAVELLING FROM IRELAND

Persons do not need any documents to travel from Ireland to Northern Ireland. They may need a visa if they are planning to stay in the UK, for example, to work or study. If travelling from Ireland to England, Scotland or Wales, a border force officer may ask to see the passport, and it should be valid for the entirety of your stay.

IF TRAVELLING FROM JERSEY, GUERNSEY OR THE ISLE OF MAN

Persons only need to show their documents if a border force officer stops them. They may ask to see proof of identity and/or permission to go to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, for example, a visa, BRP or work permit.

Please be aware that persons do not have to use a passport, Irish passport card or identity card to prove their identity. They can use other documents instead, for example, a driver’s licence or armed forces identity card.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com