UK eVisa Rollout: Guidance for Residents of Switzerland

The UK Home Office is continuing the rollout of its digital immigration system, replacing physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) with secure electronic visas, or UK eVisas. This change affects many people living in Switzerland who are considering applying for a UK visa, as well as those already in the UK who need to manage their ongoing immigration status. Understanding how the eVisa system works, who it applies to, and what it means for your travel and legal rights is essential if you are a Swiss resident planning to move to the UK, or if you are already living there on a visa.

What Is a UK eVisa?

A UK eVisa is a secure digital record of your immigration status in the United Kingdom. Instead of holding a plastic BRP card or a vignette in your passport, your immigration status is now recorded online and linked to your personal UKVI account. Your eVisa confirms what type of permission you hold, how long it is valid for, and any conditions that apply, such as the right to work, study, or access public services in the UK.

For Swiss residents moving to the UK, the digital system is designed to simplify how you prove your immigration status. It allows you to generate digital share codes that can be used when starting a new job, renting property, or accessing benefits and healthcare. For many, this represents an improvement in security and convenience, as there is no risk of losing or damaging a physical card.

Who Can Access a UK eVisa?

Most people who are granted permission to enter or remain in the UK for more than six months will receive an eVisa. This includes those applying from Switzerland for long-term work visas, student visas, family visas, or settlement. Shorter visas, such as six-month grants of leave, may also be issued in eVisa format if they fall into specific categories, particularly work or study routes.

You do not normally need to make a separate application for an eVisa. Once your UK visa application has been decided, the Home Office will confirm whether your immigration status will be issued in digital form.

Who Does Not Need a UK eVisa?

Not everyone travelling to the UK requires or receives an eVisa. For example, if you are a Swiss citizen travelling under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, or visiting on a Standard Visitor visa, you will not be issued with an eVisa. Other exemptions include holders of EU Settlement Scheme Family Permits, those with a legal “right of abode” in the UK, and diplomats who are exempt from immigration control.

Individuals holding status in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are also excluded. For children, parents or guardians can manage their UKVI accounts on their behalf, ensuring their immigration status is properly recorded.

Should You Keep an Expired Biometric Residence Permit?

If you are a Swiss national already living in the UK, you may have been issued with a Biometric Residence Permit in the past. Even after expiry, it is strongly recommended that you keep this card. Expired BRPs can still be used for up to 18 months to help set up your UKVI account, generate share codes, or support further visa applications. In some cases, biometric information from an old BRP can be reused, saving you the inconvenience of attending a visa application centre again.

What If You Never Held a BRP?

Some long-term UK residents in Switzerland or the UK may only have older immigration documents, such as passport vignettes or wet-ink stamps. These are still valid as evidence of your immigration status, particularly where they confirm indefinite leave to remain. However, the Home Office encourages individuals with such documents to transfer their status into a digital format by making a No Time Limit (NTL) application. This process is free and ensures that your immigration status is recognised within the eVisa system, allowing for easier proof of rights both in the UK and abroad.

Will Travel Be Affected by the eVisa Rollout?

For Swiss nationals and residents, travel to the UK should become more streamlined under the eVisa system. At the UK border, your immigration status will be checked electronically against your passport details, either through automated e-gates or manual checks.

To avoid delays, it is vital to keep your UKVI account updated with your current passport details. Before travelling, you can also create a share code (valid for 90 days), which can be presented if an airline or authority needs confirmation of your UK immigration status.

It is important to note that from June 2025, expired BRPs and EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards are no longer valid evidence for travel. Border Force now relies entirely on digital checks, and carriers are required to verify passengers’ permission via the eVisa system.

Advantages of the UK eVisa System

The transition to a digital immigration status brings clear benefits for Swiss nationals applying for or holding a UK visa. eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or physically damaged, reducing the risks associated with carrying physical documents. They also allow for faster, more secure verification when proving your right to work, study, or rent property.

Through your UKVI account, you can update key personal details - such as changes in your name, nationality, or travel documents - without having to submit your passport to the Home Office. Several UK government departments, including the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions, can now access immigration records directly, which simplifies access to services.

Help with eVisa Access or Technical Issues

For Swiss residents who may be less familiar with online immigration systems, support is available. The Home Office Resolution Centre provides guidance on setting up and using UKVI accounts, as well as troubleshooting technical issues. An Assisted Digital Service is also available for those who need in-person or remote help.

If you are concerned about errors in your eVisa or difficulties proving your immigration status, legal advice may be necessary. Immigration barristers can assist in ensuring your records are accurate and that your rights are properly recognised.

Specialist UK Immigration Advice for Swiss Residents

Whether you are a Swiss national planning to apply for a UK visa, or you are already living in the UK with immigration permission, the rollout of the UK eVisa system is highly relevant to you. Understanding how the system operates, what steps you need to take to keep your UKVI account up to date, and how to avoid problems when travelling is essential.

At Richmond Chambers Switzerland, our immigration barristers assist Swiss residents and their families with all aspects of UK visa applications and immigration status management. If you need advice on transferring your physical documents to a digital eVisa, troubleshooting access to your UKVI account, or understanding how the rollout may affect your travel, we are here to help. Please contact us to arrange a consultation.