Two New Updates From UK Home Office From Nov 25th: UK New Visa Opens & UK New E-visa And BRP Rules
Two major updates that were recently announced by the UK Home Office and found on the UK Home Office website. The UK Home Office has updated the rules for the new e-visa that was launched recently and said to take effect from December 2024, and will replace all BRP’s. The UK government has also announced a new travel scheme, which began in January 2023, will now be open from the 25th of November for the second phase. Whether you are a UK citizen or living in the UK as an immigrant or wishing to move to the UK, this information is for you.
UK New Visa Opens & UK New E-visa And BRP Rules
The Home Office has published further information about the digital immigration system, which is expected to be fully in force by the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. The new system will mean that individuals will no longer be issued with a physical document, e.g. a biometric residence permit confirming their immigration status, but rather will have an online record of their status and conditions of their leave, known as an e-visa. The update from the Home Office states that if you currently have permission to stay in the UK and have a physical document, you do not need to do anything yet in respect of setting up an online account.
The Home Office will provide updates during 2024 about when you need to register for an account and how to do this. Those who need to apply for an extension of leave to remain during this time should follow the normal application process and will be provided with information and guidance about setting up a UKVI account, if so required. As always, it is very important that those with limited leave confirmed on a physical document or by way of an e-visa diaries, the expiry of their leave and take steps to leave the UK, or apply for an extension of leave prior to that expiry date to ensure that they do not unwittingly become an overstay, which is a criminal offence. In other words, you do not need to take any action at this time.
The Home Office will inform you in 2024 when you need to create an online account. If you need to apply for an extension of Leave to Remain during this time, you should follow the normal application process. Now let’s talk about the new travel scheme set to kick start from the 25th of November 2023. The UK government has announced the expansion of the new travel scheme, which initially began in January 2023.
The second phase, commencing on November 25th, 2023, will allow eligible visa holders from certain countries to come to the UK. Applications for the second phase of the scheme, which will be effective from November 2023, began on the 25th of October 2023 and are still ongoing now. The first phase was for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, and there started February and was closed already. So if you are planning to travel to the UK, you will be required to obtain an ETA electronic travel authorisation. Additional nationalities will be included in the ETA programme at a later date.
One notable change in this context is the removal of NHS debt as a basis for refusing an application. The Home Office reasoned that it cannot process NHS debt information rapidly enough to meet its service standard of three days for deciding an application. However, it is crucial to note that eligibility for an ETA does not guarantee automatic entry at the UK border. Additionally, the exemption for lawful residents of Ireland travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA) will now require individuals aged 16 and above to demonstrate their Irish residency, if requested by a UK official to qualify for this exemption.
The new e-visa system and the expanded travel scheme represent significant developments in the UK’s immigration and border control policies. These changes aim to modernise the immigration process, enhance security and promote tourism and business opportunities. As these initiatives take effect. It is crucial for individuals and businesses to stay informed and adapt to the new requirements and procedures. We hope these updates were very useful to you all.
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For more about UK Immigration:https://gov.uk
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