This information relates to the switch from physical documents to eVisas for refugees; how individuals might be affected by this change, and what churches can do to offer support.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status and the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.
This means that refugees will only be able to view the following online, through a “UKVI” account:
- Their immigration status
- The conditions of the type of permission they have to enter or stay in the UK
Why is this an issue currently?
The Home Office made the decision that eVisas will be replacing physical BRP (Biometric Resident Permit) cards.
From October 2024, BRP cards are no longer issued – just eVisas only.
The Home Office has announced that for those who still have physical cards, switching to eVisas needs to be completed by 31 December 2024.
- If someone has been granted asylum after 31 October 2024, they should receive login details from the Home Office, who should have set up their UKVI account on their behalf.
- If someone was granted asylum before 31st October, and/or holds a physical BRP card, they will need to switch this to an e-visa. They will need to set up the account themselves. This can be done here.
Why do churches need to be aware of these changes?
We are very proud of the fact that many of our churches in the Diocese of London – approximately 1 in 5 – offer some form of specific support to asylum seekers and refugees.
There are likely to be people in your congregation or wider community affected by these changes, perhaps through e.g. attending worship, taking ESOL classes, people taking part in hosting schemes, or if your church is part of the Welcome Church network.
There may also be asylum seekers and refugees attending other ministries your church hosts, such as foodbanks, night shelters or mental health drop-ins.
What are the challenges of this switch?
The switch to e-visas can be worrying or frightening for many individuals:
- An individual might struggle to understand the process of switching, or may not have realised that this needs to happen by 31 December 2024
- It may cause an individuals’ mental health to suffer, or make existing conditions worse
- Lack of digital access/digital literacy means accessing eVisas online may be difficult for some people
How can we offer support to people in our church communities?
- Educate yourself/your team on these changes, using the documents in the ‘Downloadable Resources’ section below.
There are also two downloadable PDF posters you can print and put up in your church or anywhere you might be welcoming refugees and asylum seekers. - Offer practical help to individuals:
- Check-in with individuals: do they still have a BRP card?
- Help with setting up/accessing their UKVI account
- In terms of internet access – can you offer this support in church? Does your local library offer free internet access?
- In terms of mental health – remember to signpost to services (both internal and external)
- Spread awareness of the 31 December deadline – could you put a poster up (downloadable below), share this information at a drop in, or through word of mouth?
- Make sure that individuals have provided the Home Office with their up-to-date phone number and email address (this includes those currently going through the asylum process)
- Encourage individuals to check that the information on their e-visa is correct: if it is not, errors can be reported here
Can we offer legal advice?
Unless you are qualified to, you cannot and should not provide legal advice to anyone. However you can still offer “legal support”. It is very important to be aware of the difference between legal advice and legal support, because providing immigration advice when you are not qualified to do so is a criminal offence.
- Legal support is taking action without giving legal advice.
- It can include understanding and passing on general legal information, or even providing emotional, moral, and practical support to someone as they move through the legal process.
In the context of the move to eVisas, examples of legal support could include:
- Reminding someone of the deadlines they need to consider.
- Sharing information and resources on how to make the application for a UKVI account if they are able to make the application themselves.
- Explaining what is needed to complete the application.
For more help on this, Right to Remain have put together this Key Guide on helping support someone, including more explanation of what is legal support and what classes as legal advice.
Useful resources & training events
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.
The St Martin in the Fields Frontline Network and Praxis are running an online event on Friday 13 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.
Right to Remain have put together a useful “Key Guide” for how to help support someone with the transition. This covers, among other things, how to ensure that when helping support someone you are NOT offering immigration advice.
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.
Need more help?
If you have any further questions about the transition to eVisas and how this affects people in your church communities, or would like any more help around work in your church with those seeking asylum and refugees, please do get in touch with Laura Johnson on the Compassionate Communities team:
Laura Johnson (Development Worker – Refugees, Asylum, Modern Slavery and Homelessness)
laura.johnson@london.anglican.org / 020 3837 5143