UK eVisa: Expired BRPs Stop Working for UKVI Access After 31 December 2026
All UK BRPs have now expired and been replaced by eVisas. An expired BRP can only be used to access your UKVI account until 31 December 2026, or 24 months after expiry if sooner.
UKIn brief
- The Home Office says all BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas.
- An expired BRP can still be used only to create or sign in to a UKVI account, get a share code or apply to extend.
- This leniency ends on 31 December 2026, or 24 months after the BRP's expiry date if that is sooner.
- Expired BRPs cannot be used for right to work or right to rent checks; use your eVisa share code instead.
- People with settlement shown on an old physical document can choose whether to get an eVisa.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) |
| Official source | GOV.UK – Biometric residence permits (BRPs) ✓ gov.uk |
The UK has moved to eVisas, a digital record of your immigration status. The Home Office says all biometric residence permits (BRPs) have now expired and been replaced. If you still hold an expired BRP, you have until 31 December 2026 at the latest to use it to get into your online account.
Some social media posts say every visa holder "must use eVisas by 31 December 2026". That is not quite right. Here is the actual rule.
The rule at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| BRP status | All expired, replaced by eVisas |
| What an expired BRP can still do | Create or sign in to a UKVI account, view eVisa, get a share code, apply to extend |
| Leniency ends | 31 December 2026, or 24 months after the BRP's expiry date if sooner |
| Right to work and right to rent checks | Must use eVisa share code |
| Visa stickers (vignettes) in passports | Valid until they expire |
| Settlement on old paper documents | eVisa optional |
What to do now
- Create your UKVI account if you have not done so, using your expired BRP while you still can.
- Check that your eVisa details are correct, including your current passport.
- Update your passport details in your UKVI account whenever you renew your passport, so you can travel without problems.
- Use share codes for job applications and renting.
What it means for job seekers
- Employers will ask for a share code, not a BRP card. Generate one from your UKVI account before interviews.
- Fix problems early. If your eVisa is missing or wrong, contact UKVI before you change jobs or travel.
- Be wary of "eVisa agents". Creating a UKVI account and getting an eVisa is free on GOV.UK.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Biometric residence permits
- GOV.UK: Online immigration status (eVisa)
- GOV.UK: Get an eVisa if you have settlement
- GOV.UK: Travelling with an eVisa
Related: UK rule changes from 8 October 2026 and can foreign nationals get UK civil service jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an eVisa by 31 December 2026?
Not exactly. BRPs have already been replaced by eVisas. The 31 December 2026 date is when the leniency for using an expired BRP to access your UKVI account ends, if that comes before 24 months after its expiry.
Can I use my expired BRP to prove my right to work?
No. Employers must check your status online using an eVisa share code.
How do I get a share code for work?
Sign in to your UKVI account, view your eVisa and generate a share code to give to your employer.
I have indefinite leave stamped in an old passport. Must I get an eVisa?
It is optional. You can apply free through a No Time Limit application, which can take up to six months, and keep using your physical document meanwhile.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
