BIOMETRIC Residence Permits (BRP) are being phased out in favour of a new digitised system.
To help people navigate the move to eVisas the North West Migrants Forum is holding an information session on October 29 at 1pm.
The Home Office introduced a new policy in January 2020, issuing BRP cards with an expiry date of December 31 2024.
The agency has now begun replacing physical documents with an online record of a person’s immigration status. As part of the process, it is inviting BRP holders who do not have an eVisa to start creating their UK ‘Visas and Immigration’ account.
For some, the shift to an eVisa will be a confusing notification to receive from the Home Office.
But Gaëlle Gormley, Community Integration and Welfare Officer with the North West Migrants Forum, said the changeover should not be a cause of panic.
“We understand that announcements like this may be worrying, especially for those whose first language is not English.
“That is why we are holding a special information session exploring the process of applying for an eVisa, what documents you will need and what the new system will mean for you.
“For example, we will explain in simple terms how, once an eVisa has been created, it will enable individuals to show online proof of their immigration status – information that will be useful when dealing with landlords, employers and other officials.
“We also want to make people aware that using an eVisa will not affect immigration status or the conditions for anyone to enter or stay in the UK.
“All these details will be provided on the day via an easy-to-follow Powerpoint presentation which will be uploaded to our website soon after.
“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about the change from BRP to eVisa or who simply wants to hear more about it to come along to our offices on Tuesday October 29 at 1pm.”
The North West Migrants Forum can be found on the third floor of the Embassy Building, 3 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7BH.