(UK) — The UK’s transition from physical immigration documents to digital eVisas has created confusion among migrants holding an expired Biometric Residence Permit, many of whom remain unsure whether their legal permission to stay has also lapsed.

Thousands of BRPs carried a printed expiry date of December 31, 2024, even where the holder’s actual immigration permission continued beyond that date. The card expiry and the visa expiry are separate matters, and the distinction has grown more urgent as the UK completes its shift toward a fully digital immigration status system.

A Biometric Residence Permit is a physical card that displayed a migrant’s identity, immigration permission, and certain rights in the UK. Many cards were printed with the December 2024 expiry because the Home Office was already planning to move status verification online.

The result is that a migrant may hold a card that has physically expired while their underlying immigration permission remains valid. The replacement system centers on the eVisa, an online record of a person’s UK immigration status accessible through a UKVI account.

It shows identity details, immigration permission, and rights such as the ability to work, rent, study, or access services, depending on visa conditions. In practice, the eVisa replaces the physical BRP for most status-checking purposes.

Migrants who previously presented a card to employers, landlords, or banks now sign in to their UKVI account and generate a share code for the relevant check. The person checking the status, whether an employer, landlord, or other organisation, uses the GOV.UK checking service to confirm the migrant’s permission and any restrictions.

The correct way to verify actual immigration status is to access the eVisa through the UKVI account and view the real expiry date. The expired BRP card does not provide this information reliably.

An expired BRP retains limited functionality. Migrants can still use it to sign in to view an eVisa, generate a share code, create a UKVI account, or apply to extend permission to stay in the UK.

It should not, however, be treated as general proof of immigration status for employment, renting, benefits, services, or travel checks. The eVisa and share-code system is now the standard for those purposes.

Proving Immigration Status in 2026

Proving immigration status in 2026 follows a specific process. The migrant signs in to the UKVI account, views the eVisa, selects the reason a share code is needed, and generates the appropriate code.

The share code and the person’s date of birth are then given to the employer, landlord, university, bank, or other checker, who uses the GOV.UK service to confirm status. Share codes are not interchangeable across purposes.

• A right-to-work share code serves an employer.
• A right-to-rent share code serves a landlord.
• A general immigration-status share code serves other organisations.

Each code is valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times within that window before a new one must be generated. Timing matters — a migrant who generates a share code too far in advance of a rental check or job start date risks the code expiring before the organisation uses it.

Employment, Renting, and Other Checks

Employment checks require the worker to generate a right-to-work share code from the UKVI account. The employer then verifies the code and the worker’s date of birth through the official GOV.UK right-to-work checking service.

Providing a screenshot of the eVisa or a photograph of the expired BRP does not constitute a proper check. The online system gives the employer formal confirmation of the worker’s permission and any conditions attached.

Landlords in England conducting right-to-rent checks follow a similar process. The tenant generates a right-to-rent share code, and the landlord uses the appropriate GOV.UK service.

A physical expired BRP is not the strongest evidence for this purpose. Migrants should generate the code close enough to the check that it remains valid when the landlord uses it.

Universities, banks, and other organisations that require proof of immigration status for enrolment, banking, benefits, or identity checks can also be given a share code. The organisation checks the status online using the code and the person’s date of birth.

Keeping a record of which share code was generated for which purpose helps avoid confusion when different organisations request different types of verification.

Travel Considerations

Travel introduces additional requirements. Before leaving the UK or boarding a flight back, migrants should confirm that their UKVI account is active, the eVisa shows the correct status, and the current passport or travel document is linked to the account.

Personal details in the account must match the passport. If a passport has been renewed, the previous passport details in the UKVI account need updating. A travel share code or proof of immigration status should be available if requested.

Mismatches between the travel passport and UKVI account details can prevent airlines or border checks from verifying a person’s status. If a carrier cannot verify the eVisa, the traveller should ask the carrier to contact the UK Border Force carrier support hub.

Discovering a problem at the airport is too late; the UKVI account, passport link, and eVisa details should be checked well before departure.

Managing Your UKVI Account

Updating the UKVI account is not optional in practice. Changes in passport or travel document, name, mobile phone number, email address, home address, or postal address should all be reflected in the account.

An account with outdated passport details or an inaccessible email address can block a migrant from proving status, receiving security codes, or travelling without disruption. If the eVisa displays incorrect information, whether in the name, date of birth, photograph, visa type, work conditions, or expiry date, the migrant should report the error through GOV.UK.

Wrong eVisa records can cause problems with work checks, travel, university enrolment, and renting. Errors do not correct themselves.

Common Mistakes with the Digital System

Several common mistakes have emerged as migrants adjust to the digital system. Treating an expired BRP as general proof of status is one. Assuming BRP expiry means the visa has expired is another.

• Some migrants have not created a UKVI account at all, leaving them unable to prove status despite holding valid permission.
• Others generate the wrong share code for a given purpose.
• Letting a code expire before it is used.
• Failing to update passport details before travel.
• Ignoring mistakes on the eVisa record.
• Losing access to the registered email or phone number needed for account sign-in.
• Providing screenshots instead of share codes when an official check is required.
• Travelling without checking the account beforehand.

Employer and Landlord Responsibilities

Employers and landlords should not rely solely on an expired BRP where an online status check is required. They should request the correct share code and date of birth from the migrant and use the official GOV.UK checking service.

This gives the employer or landlord a formal record and gives the migrant proper recognition of their status.

Specific Advice for Migrant Groups

International students should check their eVisa before university enrolment, travel, work placements, or part-time work. Students who have renewed passports or extended visas should confirm that their UKVI account reflects the latest information.

Waiting until the first day of class or the travel date to check digital status invites problems. Skilled Worker visa holders should ensure their employer can complete a proper right-to-work check.

A change of passport, visa extension, or employer switch warrants a careful review of the UKVI account. Workers should generate a fresh share code when requested rather than sending old screenshots or expired codes.

Family members should each have their own UKVI account and eVisa access where applicable. A parent or spouse should not assume that one family member’s account proves everyone’s status. Each person may need an individual share code for work, rent, study, travel, or services.

Retaining Physical Records

Even as the UK moves to digital status, migrants should retain physical records. The expired BRP card, passport copies, UKVI account login details, visa decision emails, Home Office reference numbers, share-code records, and proof of submitted applications all have value.

The expired BRP may still assist with UKVI account access or future immigration applications, even though it is no longer the primary proof of status.