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As the UK moves away from Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards) and other physical documents, Student sponsors need to adapt their enrollment processes to align with the requirements for current e-Visa holders to continue to effectively manage their compliance obligations.

This shift to a digital system requires proactive procedural changes by Student sponsors before they can take advantage of the simplified digital process.

The UK’s vision for a digital immigration system aims to transform how foreign nationals demonstrate their right to work, study and live in the UK, resulting in simplification of ‘right-to-study’ checks.

Sponsors will be familiar with this process already with specific nationals and immigration categories already being issued eVisas. This transition eliminates the need to worry about losing documentation, eliminates the requirement to collect documentation from the local post office, and ends the use of Alternative Collection Location (ACL) procedures.

However, this heightens the requirement for a harmonised process across an institution to ensure a student’s ‘right to study’ is checked correctly upon enrolment and before studies commence.

Current landscape
All BRP cards are currently being issued with a validity date of 31 December 2024, regardless of the end date of the permission to enter or stay in the UK. It is expected that BRP cards will cease to be issued from October 2024.

Whilst current BRP card holders will be able to continue to use their BRP, the individual will be personally responsible for registering an eVisa by 31 December 2024.

The short-dated expiry of BRP cards does not affect an individual’s immigration status, however, this will change how an individual proves their status from 1 January 2025 as well as their ability to travel to and from the UK.

Process updates
To transition an individual to an eVisa, an online account with the Home Office must be held by the individual.

Throughout March and April 2024, the UKVI contacted some specific groups of visa holders to create an online account, and further communication with the remaining groups is expected to take place in the coming months.

It is expected that from 3 June, the online account system will open for all individuals. To create an online account the student will require the following:

• • •  
• Access to a smartphone;
• Their BRP card number;
• Their DOB; and
• Access to an email address and phone number.

• • • •  
• Review international student population and identify who is affected by this change;
• Obtain a copy of the eVisa for each student using a ‘Share code’;
• Check the details contained within the eVisa for errors (reporting any visa errors accordingly); and
• Update internal systems to track the eVisa expiry.