UK to switch to E-Visas in 2025

• Posted on November 5, 2024November 5, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced a new visa policy from the United Kingdom (UK), set to take effect on January 1, 2025, that will impact all travellers to the UK for extended stays.

The UK government has announced that it will be replacing all physical visa documentation with Electronic Visas (E-Visas), including current physical visas in passports, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC).

According to the British High Commission, these documents will no longer be valid beyond December 31, 2024. The new E-Visa system is designed to streamline visa processing and increase security.

Key Points:

Transition to E-Visas: Starting January 1, 2025, all individuals planning to stay in the UK for more than six months will need to apply for an E-Visa. The E-Visa will be the only valid document for long-term stays.

BRP Expiry: Holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) with permissions to live, work, or study in the UK must transition to E-Visas, as all BRP cards will expire on December 31, 2024, regardless of their original expiration date.

Travel Advisory: The Ministry advises those planning to travel outside the UK during the holiday season to secure their E-Visas before December 31, 2024, to avoid complications with re-entry.

This was contained in an advisory signed by the Ministry’s Acting Director for Information and Public Affairs Bureau, Victor N. A. Adamah on Monday, November 4.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all affected individuals to prepare for this transition by visiting the British High Commission’s official website or contacting UK immigration authorities for guidance on how to apply for E-Visas.