e-Visas for Care Workers
How do you make sure you workers’ visas are up to date?
If you have staff employed as carers on skilled care worker visas, you may have noticed that their visa runs out on the 31/12/2024. Just having to think about this can be a bit worrying and because you want the best for your staff you know you have to help them as much as possible. But there is a solution; help them apply for the new eVisa.
All Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card will expire on 31 December 2024 as the Home Office transitions from physical BRP cards to a fully digital immigration status system. Starting from 1 January 2025, anyone who has one will no longer need a BRP card to prove their immigration status. Instead, this can be done through the online service, ‘view and prove your immigration status.’
By the end of 2024, the Home Office intends to have everyone transitioned to this online status, making physical BRP cards obsolete. It’s essential to note your carer’s visa expiry date, as they will need to submit a valid application to extend their stay before their current visa expires.
When Does a carer’s Visa Expire?
Even though the BRP card will expire, it’s crucial to focus on the expiry date of the visa. This is the date that determines a staff member’s legal right to remain in the UK. When their visa was granted, they should have received a letter or email from the Home Office with the expiration details. You can also check their visa status and expiry date using the ‘view and prove’ service, which can be used to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.
How does your employee get an eVisa?
To transition from a physical BRP to an eVisa, your employee will need to create an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This process involves verifying the employee’s identity using the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ mobile app.
The Home Office has begun contacting individuals by email, inviting them to start this transition. They will receive an email from donotreply.evisadirectmail@notifications.service.gov.uk with instructions on setting up a UKVI account and verifying their identity using the app.
If your employee hasn’t been contacted yet, the Home Office will reach out to them in the coming months. They should be sure to regularly check their email, including junk folders, and ensure that their contact information, such as their email address, is current.
What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of a worker’s immigration status and the conditions tied to their permission to stay in the UK. Once they have an eVisa, they can prove their status digitally, which will replace the need for a physical BRP. For instance, they can use thier eVisa to prove their right to work or rent to an employer or landlord. Using an eVisa does not change an employee’s immigration status or the conditions of their stay; it simply shifts documentation from physical to digital form. A worker can continue to use their physical BRP until it expires.
Who Can Set Up Access to an eVisa?
If an employee currently has a BRP, an eVisa can already be set up. If you have another physical immigration document, check with an immigration advisor if you are eligible to access an eVisa.
Advise you employees on how to Access an eVisa
You can give the following advice to your employee:
- Create a UKVI Account: Register with basic details like your BRP number, name, nationality, mobile number, and email address. After completing the process, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Confirm Your Identity: Use the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app to verify your identity. This requires scanning your BRP with your phone’s NFC function and taking a selfie through the app.
- Link Your eVisa: After confirming your identity, access your UKVI account, complete the form, and submit it. You’ll receive an email when your eVisa details are ready.
- Update Your Identity Document: If you used your BRP to create the account, you should update your UKVI account with your current passport before traveling. Log into your account, click “Add a new identity document,” and upload a photo of your passport.
External Solutions
For busy care managers with enough on their plates as it is, this can seem like another hurdle put in your way when all you want to do is offer the best possible service, but do not despair you are not on your own. There is straight forward legal help at reasonable prices that can take all the worry away.
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