The United Kingdom is changing all residence permits, resident cards and physical (sticker) visas to digital format. If you hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), you need to create a UKVI account to change the physical document to a digital one. For more information, please visit Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK.
How will airlines receive information on my immigration status?
When you travel to the UK, the airline receives information on your immigration status directly in its Departure Control System when it sends your passport data to the UK Border Force through an interactive Advance Passenger Information link.
Please note that most airlines, including Finnair, cannot check your immigration status separately from the internet. Therefore showing the airline agent your Share Code will not work. For this reason, your digital eVisa or residence permit needs to be in order on your UKVI account.
If your digital eVisa, residence permit or residence card has been issued to your old passport and you obtain a new passport, you need to access your UKVI account and update the new passport there. Otherwise, the airline will not receive clearance to accept you on its flight.
Can I still travel on a physical visa or residence permit?
Sticker visas, physical biometric residence permits and physical biometric residence cards can be accepted as proof of your immigration status if they are still valid. BRPs and BRCs that have expired on or after 31 December 2024 can still be accepted until 1 June 2025. Visas and residence permits or cards that have expired before 31 December 2024 have not been granted any extension, so you need to contact the UK authorities to obtain a new visa or permit.
Can I travel to the UK with an ID card?
As the UK is not an EU Member State, you cannot travel to the UK with an EU ID card; you need a valid passport. In most cases, an Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, is also needed.
There are a few exceptions that allow you to use a national identity card from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland to enter the UK. These exceptions can be found here: Entering the UK: Before you leave for the UK - GOV.UK. When your ID card is scanned at the time of check-in or boarding, the airline will receive information on your immigration status in its departure control system through an interactive connection with the UK Border Force. Please ensure that you have included your ID card information in your UKVI account; otherwise, the airline will not get permission to board you on your flight to the UK.