Biometric Residence Permit

Physical BRP card expiry date of 31 December 2024 and what happens next

The BRP cards issued by the Government have an expiry date of 31 December 2024; do not panic. This is just the date on the physical card; as a Ukraine visa holder, you will typically have 3 years leave to remain in the UK from the date of your arrival in the UK. See https://ukrainianrefugeehelp.co.uk/ukrainian-refugee-uk-visa-types/#immigration-rule-changes.

The Government is moving everyone to a digital immigration status system called an ‘eVisa’, which will replace physical forms such as BRPs. It will be easier to store, access and manage immigration status when it is digitised. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa for more information on this.

The Government is now urging all those across the UK who have a physical immigration document such as a BRP to take immediate action to transition to an eVisa.

To access your eVisa record and immigration status, you will be asked to set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if you do not already have one. Note that if you originally applied for your visa using the Government ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, you should already have a UKVI account set up – see https://ukrainianrefugeehelp.co.uk/immigration-account/.

• You can begin the process by clicking the ‘Start Now’ button at this link: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa
• If you didn’t use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ identity app when you originally applied for your visa, you may be asked to use it now to confirm your identity.
• Complete the same process for each child if relevant, by selecting that you are setting up an account on behalf of someone else.
• If you have received a new passport, you should report this to keep your BRP up to date – Biometric Residence Permit – Ukrainian Refugee Help
• If you do not use your passport to get access to your eVisa, you’ll need to update your UKVI account with your passport details before you can use your eVisa to travel to the UK

After you have reviewed the relevant guidance pages, should you believe you require urgent assistance in reporting issues or difficulties with accessing your digital status or proving your rights in the UK, please call 0300 790 6268 (Option 3).

For customers based in the UK who do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device, do not have internet access, and do not have access to a device like a laptop or smart phone, they can get help filling in their online Home Office application. Details on how to access this support can be found on https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications.

Make sure you understand the potential call charges before calling any of these numbers.

The Government is also providing funding to the following bodies to assist those who need additional help. The four national grant funded bodies are today confirmed as Migrant Help (for people based in England), Citizens Advice Scotland, the Welsh Refugee Council, and Advice NI (for people based in Northern Ireland), which are all now offering immediate, free support for vulnerable individuals in their transition to an eVisa. Your local council Ukraine team may also have additional support in place.

A frequently asked question is how you will be allowed back into the UK without your physical BRP card after December 2024. As your passport will be linked to your digital immigration status, we assume this document will be sufficient to allow UK Border Control to check your right to enter the UK.

Very importantly, keep hold of your BRP even after transitioning to the eVisa, as you will need your BRP to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which will be available to you 3 months before your original Ukraine visa expires (starting from early 2025 for the first arrivals). See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ukrainian-nationals-in-the-uk-visa-support.