A significant change in how visas are given by the Home Office and accessed by individuals is in progress and the deadline is approaching fast.
With one in five churches in the Diocese of London providing some kind of specific support for refugees and asylum seekers, it’s important to be aware.
- The Home Office has made the decision that ‘eVisas’ will be replacing physical Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) cards.
- The eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.
- From October 2024, BRP cards are no longer issued – just eVisas only.
- For those who still have physical cards, switching to eVisas needs to be completed by 31 December 2024.
If your church is supporting any asylum seekers or refugees, it is likely that you may be asked for help/support from individuals affected by this change.
This could include help with digital access, setting up UKVI accounts and support around wellbeing.
We have put together an information page to provide churches with more detail on what’s happening, who is likely to be affected and how we can support people with this transition.
In addition, the St Martin in the Fields Frontline Network and Praxis are running a webinar on Friday 13th December 2024 to provide the latest information, and share learning on the e-visa transition. Further information (including how to book) can be found here.
Other Useful resources
The Home Office have produced a video about the switch to e-visas. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has a helpful page linking to this video and offering more explanation about the process, here.
RAMFEL (Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London) have a webpage with guidance and support here (including self-help guides in five different languages – English, Arabic, Dari, Pashto and Ukrainian).
You can also refer an individual for specialised support with the switch to an eVisa via this webpage, or call their support line on 020 7052 5212.
If you’d like more advice or to find out more, please do get in touch with Laura Johnson, Compassionate Communities team’s lead for refugees, asylum seekers and modern slavery.
