UK eVisa Digital System: What Employers Need to Know About the UKVI Account Transition

The UK government is phasing out physical immigration documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and replacing them with digital eVisas. This shift to a fully digital UKVI immigration system affects employers managing sponsored workers in the UK. For HR and mobility managers, understanding how the transition works—and the requirements for foreign employees—is essential for compliance and seamless workforce management.

What Is the UK eVisa Digital Immigration System?

The UK Home Office is introducing a digital-first immigration process that grants all visa holders an online eVisa linked to their passport. The eVisa replaces physical documents and can be accessed, updated, and shared via a person’s UKVI account.

The government aims to complete this transition by early 2025, making the UK’s immigration system faster, more secure, and easier to manage both for visa holders and employers.

Key Deadlines and Transition Timeline

• Early 2025: The UKVI will begin inviting BRP holders to set up their digital accounts.
  
  
• By December 31, 2024: Expiry of most BRPs currently in circulation.
  
  
• Launched 2023-2024: eVisa rollout for certain immigration categories, including Skilled Worker and Global Talent visa holders.
  
  

Employers should ensure their sponsored staff are aware of these deadlines and begin preparing for the switch.

What Employers and HRs Need to Do

For HR and mobility leaders, this transition requires active communication and record management to avoid compliance gaps. Here’s what employers should prioritise:

1. Inform sponsored workers. Make sure all employees currently holding BRPs know they need to register for a UKVI account when invited.
   
   
2. Ensure passport consistency. The eVisa is linked to the passport number, so workers must update their eVisa if they renew their passport.
   
   
3. Verify immigration status digitally. The traditional document check will be replaced by online right-to-work verification using a share code generated by employees through their UKVI account.
   
   
4. Update internal processes. HR systems and onboarding workflows should be updated to accommodate eVisa verification instead of document scans.
   
   
5. Support globally mobile employees. Many employees may be unfamiliar with the new process, so providing clear guidance now will prevent issues later.
   
   

Why the eVisa Transition Matters for Employers

The move to a digital immigration system will transform how companies verify and manage visas. Benefits include faster right-to-work checks, reduced document risk, and improved data accuracy. However, failure to adapt early could lead to right-to-work compliance breaches or delayed onboarding for sponsored staff.

Employers who proactively align with the system—by training HR teams and communicating with affected employees—will stay compliant and demonstrate strong immigration governance.

How Jobbatical Helps HR Teams Prepare

At Jobbatical, we help employers transition smoothly to digital immigration systems like the UK eVisa. From managing sponsored employee data to verifying compliance requirements, our platform ensures your HR team stays ahead of every immigration policy change.

Our technology and expertise help simplify every step—from visa sponsorship to relocation—so your team can focus on growing global talent, not managing paperwork.

‍