ISLAMABAD: The UK immigration system is transitioning to a fully digital format, replacing physical documents with an online immigration status, said the British High Commission (BHC) on Friday.

The BHC in a statement said that the Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), vignette stickers in passports or ‘wet ink stamps’ were among the physical documents that would no longer be needed.

Under the new system, applicants granted a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months — such as for work or study — will need to create a UKVI online account to access their eVisa. The account will serve as an online record of their immigration status. Those granted a visa for less than six months, such as tourists, would not need to create a UKVI account.

High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, “We are constantly innovating to make it easier for Pakistanis to travel to the UK. This new use of technology will streamline a key part of the visa process, make it more secure and reduce the dependence on paper documents.”

According to the statement the process was free, secure, and straightforward. “You can find out more, including how to create an account, on our website: gov.uk/eVisa. You must not travel to the UK until you have received your passport and valid UK visa back from the Visa Application Centre (VAC),” the statement said.

Updating a physical document to an eVisa does not affect the immigration status or the conditions of permission to enter or stay in the UK. Upon arrival in the UK, one would still be required to collect a BRP. All BRP cards are valid until December 31 2024, but the expiry of the BRP card does not affect the immigration status.

According to the statement, the BRP card can be used to create a UKVI account to access the eVisa. Holders should continue to carry the BRP till it expires, along with their passport, when travelling overseas to prove their permission to return to the UK.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2024